Bring your little ones to “Building through Play” put on by the Child Care Action Council. This free, family event will engage all participants in early learning fun. Stop by the Lacey Community Center on Monday, August 19, between 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. “The event is a way to give back to the community. It’s an easy, fun time for parents on a Monday afternoon,” says Danielle King, who is the CCAC’s grants manager, special projects and Safe Kids Thurston County coordinator.
Other local organizations present at the event include the Hands On Children’s Museum, Timberland Regional Library, South Sound Reading Foundation and South Sound Parent to Parent. Each station will host an activity-rich experience. Along the way, children will collect stamps in their passports to make sure they see everything. Those who complete their passports are eligible for a fun surprise.
Children will be especially excited about the always popular BLOCK Fest. It is an interactive exhibit all about playing yet stimulates numerous cognitive skills in the youngsters. The Tacoma Twister will be entertaining with balloon art. Building through Play brings a variety of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) games and activities. Playing is an optimal time for young children to discover the world, learn about themselves and be around others. Expect great energy and lots of running around. Parents and their children can make new friends.
Child Care Action Supports Families and Caregivers
Since the late 1980s, the Child Care Action Council has been serving families in our community. “We’ve been around a long time and have grown quite a bit,” says Danielle. Studies show that when children from low-income families enter kindergarten, they are usually 12-14 months below national norms in language and pre-reading skills. It may also have impacts on social and emotional growth. That is why it is so important to create spaces where these young children can learn and be successful.
CCAC stands strongly with its mission to promote and nurture early learning communities where children and families thrive. One focus is to support licensed, childcare providers with education, training opportunities, and coaching. The Early Achievers program offers support related to the childcare environment including parent communication, working with children with special needs, lesson planning and curriculum. Child Care Action Council understands that educators who work with children need support, and that professional development is helpful to everyone.
Now Enrolling for 2024-25 School Year: Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program Preschool
Another important focus is the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, which embraces the whole child and family. It offers free quality preschool along with tailored services to meet the needs of each family. Basic needs like housing, food, and healthcare are addressed. ECEAP children receive health and development screenings along with nutritious meals and snacks. Parents also receive support and have access to resources to be their child’s first and most important teacher.
Child Care Action Council offers ECEAP preschool in two locations.. The Pleasant Glade Early Learning Center has four part-day classroom sessions. The Shelton Early Learning Center Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program hosts four classrooms for partial day and one for a full day. Sabrina Williams is the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program administrator. She is working on the Building Through Play Event and preparing for the upcoming school year. Sabrina helps people to register for the ECEAP program. It is now open enrollment for the coming school year. Spaces usually fill quickly.
Free Play Groups: Kaleidoscope Play and Learn
The need for interaction and socialization is important for both the children and their caregivers. Kaleidoscope Play and Learn is a development-centered playgroup for ages birth to five along with their parents or care providers. Trained playgroup facilitators lead a variety of interactive games, story time, songs and art activities. “It’s often the Grandparents and neighbors who take care of kids,” notes Tovi McClellan, family services director. They are welcome. The adults have time to engage with other adults, too. “We had a couple years of isolation,” notes Tovi, referring to restrictive COVID policies. There remains a need for people both young and old to play together and reconnect. COVID may not be at the forefront of our thoughts, but its effects are still present.
Find a Play Group Near You
Tuesdays, 10 a.m. Providence St. Peter Family Medicine
Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. Montesano Timberland Library
Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. Lacey Timberland Library
Wednesdays, 10 a.m. Hoquiam Timberland Library
Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Downtown Olympia Timberland Library
Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Elma Timberland Library
Family Services in Thurston County
Child Care Action Council has numerous family services with abundant resources. Raising a Reader helps Grays Harbor County educators and parents understand the value of reading aloud with their children, especially before kindergarten. The agency is a program partner of the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for Thurston and Mason Counties. Youth receive free, high-quality, age-appropriate books from birth to five years of age. There is no income requirement to be part of the Imagination Library. When crisis arises in a family, Child Care Action Council’s Margie’s Crisis Nursery may be able to help. Parents and care providers will find more programs on the Child Care Action Council website.
Strengthen Families and the Future by Supporting Child Care Action Council
There are many avenues for supporting this valuable organization. Spreading the word is helpful or maybe you want to engage with a volunteer opportunity. Financial donations support all programs and includes important safety equipment like bike helmets and car seats. You can help keep these programs vibrant.
You can find more information at the Child Care Action Council website.
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