Quincy Early Childhood & Family Center

Make sure your children are getting their naps in. It is a necessity!

Skipping naps before age four triggers extended stress, tantrums, extreme clinginess, and panic. Naps are a biological necessity for young children. Nighttime sleep alone cannot eliminate their daily stress because it is focused on crucial brain development. Missing even a single nap can trap a child's small body in a continuous fight or flight state.

A young child's brain does not process stress the way an adult brain does. They cannot talk it out or shrug it off. The only way their nervous system resets is through sleep. Night sleep handles physical restoration and memory consolidation. But daytime naps are what clear the metabolic stress buildup from morning activities. Skip the nap, and cortisol stays elevated.

The child who melts down over a broken cracker at 4 PM is not spoiled. Their nervous system has been flooded with stress hormones since noon with no off ramp. They are not giving you a hard time. They are having a hard time inside a body that cannot find safety.

Stop treating naps as optional. Protect them like you would protect feeding or warmth. A napped child is a regulated child.

Shows Quincy is participating in summer reading program. Check it out.

📖 Happy McReaders is back! 📖
Our summer reading program is officially underway and runs through August. All you have to do is grab a punch card from participating libraries, read 10 books, and redeem it for a FREE Happy Meal at participating McDonald’s locations!
Let’s get reading, McReaders!

*Available exclusively at participating libraries and McDonald’s locations until August 30, 2026. Check our website for the full list of participating locations: http://McD.to/6184B8WABi

Our Explorers enjoying the End of the Year Carnival.

ECFC Clinic 8/14/26. If you are interested, please preregister. Spots will fill up quickly. Please use this link to register : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1CriZu5FLYDl_YLWLxZp329aAOjHzi7STbbKrKr0owD4/edit?usp=forms_home&ouid=111293686442710093965&ths=true

Save the Date!

Today we celebrated the retirement of these amazing ECFC staff members. We are so thankful for you all and all the years you’ve spent pouring into ECFC. Wishing you nothing but the best in your retirement! Mick, Beth, Sherri, & Tammy, we wish you well!

Ms. Kay’s AM Explorers took their field trip to South Park and Dairy Queen.

Ms. Kay’s classes released their butterflies today. Our Explorers loved watching the whole process from caterpillars to butterflies.