Easter is early this month and Mayfest planning is in full swing. This year’s community event is scheduled for Saturday May 1st and Sunday May 2nd with a raindate of May 8th & May 9th . Deadline to place your free yardsale ad in our brochure is Wednesday May 14th. The Mayfest brochure is delivered in the Lighthouse Log in the flyer bundle and should be available on the week of April 19th. You can contact us for additional copies. Mayfest is a very popular community event and everyone is welcome to participate.

NEW BUILDING UPDATE

Our new building is still on target for opening June 1st. The weather is cooperating things are really coming together. Our capital campaign, From the Ground Up, has started and we are receiving donations daily. You should have received your donation request in the mail. We need approximately $100,000 to build inclusive playgrounds and furnish our 5 classrooms. Even a $20 contribution will help! Watch our fundraising giraffe chart grow!!

All donations are tax deductible. Please give what you can and accept our thanks in advance.

HOMEMADE HAND-STITCHED QUILT TICKET DRAW

We have been given a beautiful homemade hand-stitched quilt to raffle in a ticket draw. Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5. Proceeds from the draw will go towards the purchase of safety cribs and bedding for the infant room in the new facility. Draw date will be on our grand opening day in June 2010. Call 275-4347 for tickets.

STORM CLOSURE REMINDERS

Please remember to check the radio or the South Shore School Board website for school closure announcements. Kidz Zone Programs at Bayview Community School and Gold River Elementary School are closed if the schools are closed. Kidz Zone Chester and Kidz Time Pre-school are always open 7AM – 6PM unless the roads are closed. Parents can check our answering machine for information on storm days 275-4347. Please check with your Program Coordinator to make sure your child is on the emergency pick-up list if school closes early for any reason.

ACCOUNT PAYMENT REMINDERS

All accounts are debited on the 1st and 15th of each month. Your invoice will be sent in an email the day before your account is debited. Please contact Heather our Centre Coordinator, if you do not receive your invoice or will anticipate a problem with your account at 275-4347. It is important to keep your account up-to-date to ensure continued service delivery. As a non-profit charity, we never have reserve funds to carry individual accounts.

KIDZ TIME PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM FULL DAYS

Our full-day pre-school childcare for children aged 24 months to 5 years here at the Chester Curling Club is full but we are taking names on the waiting list. This is a fully licensed early learning program through the Department of Community Services. We currently have 18 full-day licensed spaces until our new facility is open in June 2010. Family Centre staff and full-time childcare needs will have priority access, and then sign up will be on a first come first serve basis.
 
Kidz Time Pre-school Program hours of operation are Monday – Friday 7AM to 6PM. Program fees are set at $22/day for full-time and $25/day for permanent part-time. This full-day program qualifies for the subsidized portable spaces available through the Department of Community Services. Information regarding subsidy can be obtained by calling the Bridgewater office at 543-5527. Call Teena Bond for Pre-School information 275-4347.

KIDZ ZONE BEFORE SCHOOL PROGRAM

The Kidz Zone Before-School Program will be offered at the Chester Curling Club location only. The hours of operation are 7AM-9AM. The program is designed for children 5-12 years and includes breakfast and school drop-off for both CDS and CAMS. Program fees are $7.50/day. Parents must pre-book care in advance.

KIDZ ZONE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS

We currently offer the Kidz Zone After-school Program at 3 locations. Chester Brass Band Building, Gold River Elementary School and Bayview Community School in Mahone Bay. The hours of operation are school closure until 6PM Monday through Friday. The Kidz Zone After-School Programs are licensed through Department of Community Services and are designed for children ages 5-12 years. Each program has a daily schedule which includes physical activity, nutritious snacks, crafts, dramatic play, science centres, homework study and much more. All programs are coordinated by experienced ECE staff that is licensed by the Province of NS.

Program fees are as follows:

• $12/day for full-time part-day
• $13/day part-time part-day
• $20/day for full-time full-day
• $22/day for part-time full day