Nellie's Haven Childcare

11 years ago….feels like a blink ago ❤️‍🩹

Some time ago today years back … perhaps 14 years she dressed up as well.

Our Haven’s Last September 2017 Newsletter….

The winds of change we feel, a true reminder that it is here. The month of September is nearing us all. My friends and I have spent our last moments in our haven journey this past week. As I sat at the staff meeting to my new school, it really hit home that the page in our book had indeed turned. “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” Winnie the Pooh

Through this past month of August we had introduced the The Magic Tree House series book Blizzard of the Blue Moon. We did some water play with the slip n slide and body board and frozen water balloons. We did a whole lot of reminiscing through old photo albums, we did some blackberry smoothie drinks, butterfly acrylic paintings, sticker art, block building and interactive playing, laminated leaf art, robot building, word searches, scooter riding, fort making, nature walks, we reunited with our red eared slider after a two week adventure hiatus! We have Kingston our neighbor dog the “hero” to thank for that! We held our emergency drill at the start of the month too….We had our dance parties, we made chocolate covered bananas, baked muffins and also birthday cupcakes, we made some solar eclipse art, we distributed flyers to our neighborhood for our Englewood Forest festival, we made tie dye shirts with two different styles of kits, and we also explored with our white tree frog named “Leon.”

On our very last week we ended with much delight…Solar eclipse day on Monday the 21st. We also were able to celebrate our Anders on the 23rd. And on our very last day with a nature walk, treats from our very own neighborhood, “Joe Mochas Bistro!” Last but never least tears, hugs, and glowing hearts, from mostly me but I could see some of my littles feeling it too! I could say I will never forget you. I also want to thank you for the countless treasured memories you have shared with us here. A memory sure, yet never forgotten!

Contributions came form Kimberly Bowe of Pan American Blueberry Growers….an abundance of packaged blueberries! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Happiest Birthday to 4 year old Anders, who blew out candles on August 23rd!!

Warmly, forever Nellie

Haven’s August 2017 Newsletter

Good bye July, hello August…the Sunday of summer has arrived. Goodness gracious, the last four weeks of haven moments have arrived. These last few weeks have been a tried and true time of reflection of the years past here for me. I have been looking through photos of some of our moments spent here at our haven….some friends are not really “little” any longer. Some are full grown adults in college, some traveling, some working and on their own, some with families of their own. I love to think that these little people have raised me in a sense of the word. In all essence, I was growing along with them. Amazing to think how many years we have spent creating moments together, exploring, dancing, celebrating holidays, birthdays, and growing through the stages of development. Forever treasured in my heart!

Through this past month of July we have introduced the BFG story book, during story hour time, some patriotic flags, red white and blue windsocks, patriotic colored beading, star wreaths, stuffed paper blue birds, crystalized ice marbles, crayola melt glass art, crayon farm animal melt molds, fort building, chalk spray stencil art, silly string, homemade bubble making, window clings, stuffed cat art, straw and yarn weaving, mosaic art, stuffed paper turtles, stuffed watermelon, hanging bird feeders, water balloons, bead bowls, foam hanging butterflies, homemade pretzels, homemade rice crispy treats, water play, paper chain links, mummy wrapping, glass bead art, slip and slide fun, just to name a few of our activities!

A quick reminder that our haven’s last day will be Thursday August 24th. I have been recapping some prior moments in time, especially going through our books, activities, board games, craft items, photographs etc. etc. Oh! Layers and layers of emotions. I will be down sizing the start of this coming weekend. We intend to use Englewood Park for our pleasure as the weeks descend. We will stay busy nonetheless, and will be keeping cool with our slip and slide and water balloons.

Contributions came from Miss Ava this last month. Thank you for sharing the delicious cherries with the haven!

Happy Birthday to our Miss Addison who turned 9 on July 23rd!


Until our last month….Nellie

Haven's July 2017 Newsletter

Happy Birthday America! The Patriotic month of July is here! Summer is in full throttle. As we are feeling it with 4th of July around the bend on Tuesday. The Haven will be open on Monday, closed on Tuesday the 4th.

Through the course of this past month we have been busy with the preparation of the departure of 4 of our fifth graders going into middle school. Feeling the chapter in our lives change. Exciting nonetheless! It has been wonderful to have a few come back and say hello and stay in our company. I'd like to feel like we impact one another's lives.

With the start of our summer break we are reintroducing some old friends and bringing in some new. We are getting to know one another. Each individual brings a new dynamic to our space. We are working on decision making, self control, problem solving, bubble space awareness, along with respecting one another. Every passing moment is a learning lesson in social dynamics. We have our challenges, I would like to say we are learning through them. Bringing in our family pets has been a staple for my littles. I have been a able to witness through the course of the days.

On a fun note, we have been incorporating "The Help Me Be Good" series, the Father's Day "top pop" project, play dough art, beading, marshmallow 3D shape project, dabber butterfly art projects, tie-dye art, cling art, popsicle stick people and houses, face and body paint, textured art with water colors, Mandela art, "squishy balls" balloons, shaving cream fun, chalk art, stuffed gold fish art, glass acrylic art, homemade slime, and last but not least dance parties throughout the days. Whoa we've been keeping busy along with "dramatic play."

A reminder that tuition went down to summer rates as of the 19th of June. Also the Haven will be closed from August 28th until Labor Day.

Candles were blown out by Evan who turned 11 on June 13th! Happy Birthday Evan!

Contributions came from Laney Pardo! Thank you for the tasty and yummy donuts! What a hit!

Until next time.... Nellie

Haven's June 2017 Newsletter

May the next summer months be a period of joy and play! May the sun bring us joyous energy by the day. Summer time is nearing us!

Group settings often encourage littles to explore a variety of activities and styles of play. While many skills are also developed individually.
Through play children can build upon previous discovery and repetition teaches confidence and to trust themselves and the world around them.
Creativity, flexibility, problem solving, decision making, self control, innovation, independence, appreciation, confidence, satisfaction, cooperation, eye/ hand coordination, fine and large motor skill development and imagination are all areas of growth to be explored and with freedom, a child can excel when allowed to spend time on the play that they choose but also it is offered for a variety of opportunities for exploration.

On the topic of play and activities our haven has introduced the rise of our new introduced and improved "tree house." It was seemingly a great asset this last week. Thank you Chad for your time on this project. We have enjoyed the afternoon breeze up there ourselves!

This past month started out with some friends working on their May Day basket bouquet. Later on for mothers day gifts, our friends made home made pretzels. That was much enjoyed! Not far after, we had the discovery of a couple of turtle eggs. We decided it was time for our outdoor pond "new habitat" for our red eared slider turtles! As we all can see they have definitely out grown their glass aquarium tank. Our slider turtles will be enjoying a housing system that is a pre-formed pond. With much more room.... I am so excited to set this up for them! On the artsy side of things, our friends worked on our familiar " acrylic paint bottle project" as well this past month. Memorial Day weekend, we hope was full of family, friends, relaxation and yummy food to enjoy!

A reminder that the first Friday closure for the summer will begin on the 23rd of June. Tuition will be back to summer rates as well.

Contributions for the month of May: The Pardo family, thank you for the butcher roll of paper! So handy to have for all our birthday posters and such!

Happiest Birthday to Miss Liv who turned 10 on May 30th!!

I thank you friends Logan, Dylan, Ian, Evan and Avi for being apart of the haven's journey...."You're off to great places, today is your day your mountain is waiting, so get on your way~ Dr. Seuss.... Watching you grow up before my very eyes has really been the best of our haven journey. Good luck to new beginnings in middle school~ …..

Until next month~

Haven's May 2017 Newsletter...

Hello May, goodbye April! We will try to stay calm as we know April showers bring May flowers...

This last month of April our friends were involved with making and partaking in Giant Bubbles along with instruments. This was a fun trend for a few days, may I add! Thank you Amanda for this fun project! They also colored and dyed eggs. Our friends were also involved in the annual egg hunt! They also made their grass head characters. Did some patterned coloring art. And some even started their seed packets! Spring is here!

By the look of the calendar we have just about seven weeks left until school descends into summer break. We are getting closer to having our summer friends group in place. Since scheduling varies from family to family. This takes a little time. The start of the Haven being closed on Fridays is nearing us as well. The first Friday closure will begin on June 23rd. The start of our new season. We hope for kindness, laughter, playfulness and respect. We hope for fun and community. It is always the goal. Let us strive for this!

The next closure of the month will be Memorial Day that lands on Monday the 29th. The haven will be closed.

Tuition for the month is due by the 5th of every month. Please add $10 late fee to tuition, please and thank you.

Birthdays for the month of April were...

Delaney turned 8 on April 26th!!!
Nellie older than Delaney on April 18...
Thank you for the cards, chocolates hugs, gifts, flowers, plants, and well wishes!

Until Next Month.... Nellie

Haven's April 2017 Newsletter

April greets us! A new month! A new beginning! Looking forward to seeing more daylight hours and blooming flowers! Planning on getting the garden ready for the plantings of this years season.

We will be having our much anticipated annual egg hunt on Monday, April 17th. We hope for a dry day for this event. It will be enjoyed nonetheless....

Friday, April 28th there is no school. An in service day. Our haven plans on staying open.

A quick and gentle reminder after the fifth of every month we add $10 late fee charge to the tuition fee. Thank you.

Birthday candles were blown out by Ian, Logan, and Dylan on March 3rd. Remi blew out candles on March 12. Happy, happy birthday gentlemen!!

Contributions and donations came from Delaney Pardo. Thank you for the nature bars and fruit snacks for sharing! Sharing is caring!

Until Next month.... Nellie

Haven’s Early Almost Spring Newsletter

The month of spring is finally here! The birds they sing to let us know its almost here! How we have missed you! Can not wait for it to start feeling like spring everyday!

Parents it is time to update those registration forms I mentioned last month in January. The haven and food program both will need to be filled out, if you are staying the months ahead. Also check off the meal times your little(s) intend to eat here. Seems there was confusion in the months past. If there is no check off on that, we do not get credited for it. And of course if you opt for the alternative, that is also fine. As we know some do not have meals here. Packets will be ready to pass out soon to you. And again if your little(s) do not plan on resuming back for summer and or fall, no updated registration form will be needed. Although, if you do plan on staying, both forms will be required to come back to me to file away. If your little(s) plan on coming back for before and or after school care for 2017-2018 year, yet not for summer, I ask for a $50 holding fee. And again if your little(s) will be coming throughout, no holding fee will be required. Also summer rates will be going back. Please have your days marked so your little(s) do not loose their spot in care. It is critical so we do not exceed our capacity as we are going back to registered care in the fall. I thank you in advance for your understanding and support.

A quick and gentle reminder that after the fifth of each month we add a $10 late fee charge to the tuition fee.

Within this week we will be celebrating 4 birthdays. And one other almost mid month. Our kids are growing quickly! One of the birthdays this week is Dr. Seuss’s! Thursday March 2nd of this week in fact! He would have been 113 years old this year! Read Across America will be recognized throughout this country. Let his legacy live on!

Friday March 3rd our haven will be celebrating 3 special brothers for the last time here. I just may cry, we shall see.

Friday, March 17th will be St. Patrick’s Day! Let’s all wear green!

Please remember Friday March 10th, will be a Grading Day- No School
Spring Break Monday, March 27- Friday, March 31 our haven will be closed.

Birthday candles blown out in February…
Olivia Turner turned 8 on February 5th
Mosely Roden turned 6 on February 10th
Happiest Birthday to you two!!

Contributions and donations …
Pardo family- Abundance of large spools, electrical wires of various diameters for our projects and activities…Thank you so much. They are already being put to use!
Thank you for being apart of our village and contributing to our growth!

Haven February 2017 Newsletter…

Goodbye January, hello February. By now everyone should have received their year 2016 summary reports. We had 26 littles in and out throughout the year of 2016. The looks of our summary reports. If you did not receive an email from me please let me know. We also submitted our annual primary review of immunization records of our littles to the Marion County Health department this past month of January.

Parents it is time to evaluate your families needs for the months ahead and incoming summer as well. Will it be time for a change? It will be time to re-register if you indeed plan on doing so with us. We have four fifth graders leaving us in June. We plan on leaving certification care to registered care in the fall. It has been eight years since we became certified. We are going back to registered care. So instead of having the capacity of up to 14 littles, we will have no more than 10 littles in our capacity range at any given time during haven hours of opening.

If your little(s) plan on being away during the summer and then resuming back in the fall, we ask for a $50 holding fee per little, to hold their spot. If your little will be at our haven throughout the summer, the fee will be back to $4 hourly, no holding fees will be needed. Please be aware that the haven will be closed on Fridays as our usual summer schedule. Please assess and get back to us. Registration forms will be needed by the end of March please, if you intend on staying. The haven needs to plan accordingly. I am back to studies, so we thank you again for your understanding. The sooner we know the better I can coordinate.

Upcoming dates to remember….

February 20 Monday, President’s Day- No School
Our Haven will be Closed Spring Break March 27- March 31

January Birthday candles blown out by....
Our very own Chad and Amanda!

Until next month.....

Nellie

Nellie's Haven NewYears 2017 Newsletter ....

Let the New Year bring all the joy and happiness you could ever wish for! Let us welcome the new year full of things that have never been. To new anticipations of our pages turned in the book of our lives!

This last month of December was very rich in color, and as "still" as white, with the snow fall we captured here in our region. Our friends were real busy this past month making paper snow flakes, popsicle stick snowflakes, Gingerbread people, paper Christmas trees, snowmen made from socks and scraps with google eyes, painted snowmen, indoor snow made from (white conditioner and baking soda), lots of crayola molds, "Large Gingerbread guys, Christmas trees, Santas, snowmen," acrylic painted glass art crafts, crayola melted shaving art, some also made paper wreaths, penguins, tape snowflakes, thumbprint snow covered trees, tube reindeers, candy cane art, foot print reindeer, snow fun angels, with "real snow," whoa what a creative month! Time to slow down and hibernate. We hope through all the hustle and bustle that the holidays bring, you were all able to take some time to bond with your loved ones and take in some peace and tranquility with you.

Some upcoming dates to remember:

January 16 is a holiday... MLK day... will your "little" need care?
January 27 is an in service day (no school) will your "little" need care?
Please let us know your needs so we can accommodate, and keep in capacity.

Please take note: March 27-March 31 (Spring Break) our haven WILL be CLOSED

It is now time to get your year end child care summary to you all. We will be getting that to you by the end of January, if not sooner.

Contributions and gifts:
Wow! Everyone thank you for all of the cards, treats, gifts, shared time, shared items!!! Happy New Year!

Until next month.... Nellie