2016 Year Planning

We would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year!!! Thank you everyone for a wonderful 2015 – we hope that you all had a wonderful year as well and we wish you a joyful, bright, healthy, prosperous and happiest year for 2016!

At this time we are in the process of planning some fun things for this upcoming

year. Here are just a few things that you can look for…

Our Spring Fundraiser we will be working on having a Mom to Mom sale

here at the center – Stay tuned for more information. We are looking at a tentative date of April for this.

Look for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day activities

Monthly Drawing continuing (Starting back up on February)

o Big drawing in December again

Summer Program – Fun things along with field trips

Family Picnic – this is where we have a big picnic for all of our families here at the center and we have had a petting zoo and other activities in the

past. We will planning this again this summer (Generally August)

Fall Fundraiser (We are looking at different items as we have done

Frankenmuth in the past and may do something different this year).

Fall Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Holiday Party’s (Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween, etc.)

Trunk or Treat (at Halloween Time)

Easter Egg Hunt

Thanksgiving Lunch

Christmas Party with Santa

We are looking at hosting a Scholastic Book Fair here at the center. They

will bring the books to us for you to shop from if you are interested.

Scholastic Monthly Orders (We do these every other month)

Transportation Day – this is when we bring all the cars, trucks, etc here for all the children to explore. We have had ice cream trucks, Shriners,

Consumer Trucks, a Bus, Ambulance, Police Car, Race Car, Fire Trucks and many more.

Fun activities for parents (such as donut day, treat day, etc.) The above are just a few things that we are working on right now. Stay tuned for

more information on these. Watch your newsletters, calendars, Facebook and text messages for dates.

January 2016

Monthly Quote

Write it on your heart that every

day is the best day in the year.

Happy New Year 2016

Always Be Happy!

December Events Jan 1st New Year’s Day Center Closed Jan 4th Welcome Back Center Reopens Jan 7th Regular Tuition

Days Resume (Every Thurs)

Jan 15th National Hat

Day – Wear your fun hat today!

Jan 18th MLK Day Center is OPEN Jan 29th National Puzzle

Day – We are doing some fun things with puzzles today

January Birthdays Happy Birthday Kendall H. Jan 3rd Gabby D. Jan 11th Evelyn C. Jan 14th Roland Z. Jan 15th Molly P. Jan 16th Hayden B. Jan 17th Luke G. Jan 18th Walker P. Jan 18th Brody P. Jan 18th Bryan H. Jan 20th Blake H. Jan 20th Dominic S. Jan 20th Miss. Lexi Jan 20th Connor C. Jan 22nd Brennan S. Jan 22nd Miss. Ginger Jan 22nd Kenna W. Jan 23rd

Good news and information for our friends and family

How To Cuddle Up On Cuddle Up Day With Older Kids

When you have young children, you sometimes wish you could just sit on

the couch without a little one in your lap, hugging

you close and talking about all the things they have seen and done that day. Then, as

kids get older, they don't crawl up on your lap as

much, and cuddling becomes less and less a priority for them. Hugs and kisses at the school become something that is

just endured after checking to make sure no one is looking, and then eventually it is not allowed at all.

As parents, it can be difficult to find ways to have that closeness and love that children need all through their life. The good news for parents is that there is now an actual designed Cuddle Up Day, and in 2016 it will be on

Wednesday, January 6th. It won't be difficult to get the little ones excited about Cuddle Up Day, but

you may find your tweens and teens are not as keen on the idea. By being a bit creative as a parent, you can turn this Wednesday night into

something special in your home this year as well as the years to follow. Get Comfortable

A great way to get into the cuddling mood is to have everyone put on their favorite pajamas to just relax and unwind. You could also go for sweats

and favorite T-shirt, or perhaps buy everyone a family t-shirt just for the day. These are surprisingly low cost through online printers, and you can customize them with the family name and your own family photo, image

or design.

Bring out all the pillows in the house and pile them on the couch or on the floor. Add comforters and comfortable blankets that everyone can snuggle into and just enjoy conversation and time together. Take out your favorite

family movie or plan to spend some time reading some of the favorite books. Big kids can take turns reading, or they can cuddle with the little

ones while Mom and Dad take turns reading. Adding to the Event

Pop some popcorn, make some hot chocolate or bring out a special treat the whole family enjoys. Have everyone get comfortable on the pillows,

and just enjoy being in the same room with each other. One great way to give hugs and cuddles that everyone appreciates is to

have everyone write one positive about their family members. Throughout the night, you can read them out load, with the person receiving the

positive giving the sender a hug as a thank you.

Important Information: Make sure that your child is ready for

outside time. Children go outside twice a

day (weather permitting). Temperatures are

as follows:

Waddler & One Yr Olds: 32 degrees +

2, 3 and Preschool: 25 degrees +

Young 5’s: 20 degrees +

Please make sure that your child has plenty

of items to keep them warm while they are

outside. This includes but not limited to

hats, mittens, scarfs, boots, snow pants, etc.

Keep in mind that children may wear their

snow pants outside even if there is no snow

on the ground. This will help to keep their

legs warm as well – sometimes their pants

don’t always keep them warm while they

are outside. Any child not able to go outside

will be required to have a doctor’s note with

dates to begin, ending dates, reasoning and

signed by a licensed physician (not a

medical assistant or secretary). Extra items

can be left in your child’s cubby if you

chose to leave them here. Make sure that

each item is labeled with your child’s name

in them (clearly marked). This will help our

teachers get them to the correct cubby when

they are putting everything back.

We are asking that all parents please call

before 10am if your child is not going to be

in attendance .We like to notify the teachers

as well in the classroom as they are

preparing for the day. Anyone dropping off

after 10am must be prearranged in advance

with a director in order to not have a charge

on your account for a late drop off.

Although we do try to salt several times

throughout the day, the sidewalk can still

get slippery at times. Please let the front

desk know if you see a slippery spot that

may need some salt on it. Keep in mind that

the yellow part of the sidewalk gets

slippery. Please use caution when walking.

Help us to prevent any children from falling

as well by not letting them run ahead of you

in the parking lot. We remind our latchkey

to walk when getting on and off the bus, if

our latchkey parents could please help us

and remind them as well.

Do not allow children to hang on the

classroom doors or the front entry doors.

These doors will not hold body weight and

may break. We do not want to see anyone

injured. Please remember that we have a

center rule that allows adults to open the

doors. This will keep little fingers from

getting pinched. Please remember to look

before letting a door shut. Make sure that

there are not little ones by the door.

Notifying the front desk

Just a friendly reminder, please remember to let the front desk know

when your child will not be in attendance, picked up early, dropped off late, etc. The directors make the teacher’s schedules by the children’s

attendance and we want to make sure that we have the proper staff available at all times. Although we appreciate you letting the teacher’s know your child’s schedule, the directors also let them know. Teachers

receive a weekly roster of children’s attendance for the week so that they may plan their activities and art projects for the day. When

schedule’s change directors will notify the teacher’s by note or walkie talkie.

If a director is not available, please put a note in the parent note box (black box located by the tuition box) or you may place it in the tuition

box with your tuition check. Please call the front desk if your child will not be in attendance on a

scheduled day. This will help the teacher’s as well with planning purposes in the classrooms. Directors will let them know who is not

attending for the day. Thank you for your help and understanding with this matter.

Tax Statements

Your family’s tax statements are in this month’s newsletter

envelope. Please be put these in a safe spot for your tax purposes. There will be a $5 charge for any statements that need to be

reprinted.

Our Tax ID is: 01-0794927 you will need this when filing for your

taxes. This is also located at the bottom of your tax statement as

well for your convenience.

Please see the front desk if you have any questions.

Newsletter Folders

Newsletters are given out every month between the 1st and the 15th. Please make sure that you are reading

these newsletters in full. These newsletters have upcoming events,

important information and several other items in them. We will also place important papers such as field

trip forms, tax statements, etc in these folders. Please make sure that you are

taking everything out, reading it and signing the folder and returning it to the basket at the front desk. These

folders DO NOT get checked until the following month. Please do not put

any papers that are needed right away in the folders. We have been having problems with items not being found

until the following month. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We do have a parent note

box that is located next to the tuition box that papers can be placed into this

or they can be placed into the tuition box as well. Thank you for your understanding and help with this.

Morning Coffee Brandi’s Place will be offering coffee

for our parents on a daily basis now (instead of just Monday mornings). Start your morning off right and stop

by the coffee machine at the front desk and make yourself a cup of

coffee, hot chocolate or tea to start your morning off. You can enjoy it on your way to work. We have a wide

variety of drinks to choose from that are located next to the coffee

machine. We have travel cups that are available if needed or you may bring in your own travel mug if you would

like. There is a red bucket at the bottom of the shelf for k-cups to be

discarded in. So stay warm in the mornings and don’t be shy… help

yourself!

Hello! We are pleased to send you this

monthly issue of Brandi’s Buzz. It is our way

saying that you are important to us and we

truly value your family. We want to keep you

up to date with upcoming events as well as

some parenting tips, communication and a

little bit of humor. Enjoy

Family New Year Resolutions To Consider for 2016 • Cut down on activities. If your family is busier than ever, make room for consistent togetherness time. Suggest cutting back on work and extracurricular activities, so everyone can eat dinner together most nights. • Strengthen your children’s confidence. Some parents spend a lot of time pointing out their kids’ weaknesses. Remember that successful people focus on their strengths, and do the same for your kids. You’ll give them the confidence to tackle their weaknesses. • Make personal resolutions a family affair. If you’ve decided that you need to do more charitable work, consider making your personal goal a family goal. Volunteering as a family is a powerful way to build self-esteem and establish a sense of community in yourself and your children.

Thank You

We would like to take this time to thank everyone that

helped our adopted family during the Christmas

season. Each year we adopt a family from the Old

Newsboys and place the bulbs on the front door for

anyone that wishes to purchase anything for that family. Each child has a wish list and this year we

were able to provide everything on their wish list. We

wrapped all the presents and delivered them to the Old

Newsboys. We are sure they had an awesome

Christmas thanks to all of you. Thank you for making

their Christmas so special.

From the front desk…

COPYRIGHT 2016 Brandi’s Place Early Learning & Child Care Center ALL RIGHTS RESERVED,

GOOD NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES JANUARY 2016

Facebook and Texting Alerts Are you on our Facebook page? Have you signed up for our texting alerts? Both of these items are available for our families here

at the center. This is a great way to get reminders about what is going on at the center. Our Facebook page has reminders as

well as some fun articles that are posted each day. If you are not on our Facebook page just log into your personal account and

go to Brandi’s Place Early Learning & Child Care Center and click “like” on the page. You will then be linked to our page and can

follow our posts and receive them daily in your newsfeed. Feel free to check here often just in case you miss something. We

cannot see any of your personal items on your page but you will be able to see our information on the center’s page.

To sign up for our texting service simply text to: 23559 and type: @brandisplacesc in the message part of the text then click

send. You will be prompt to give a “short bio” Please put a short description of who you are such as “Emily’s mom” or your

name. A text message will then be sent back to you stating that we are a private group and your request will be approved

shortly. Directors are alerted that you were added and will approve your request. Due to security measures this forum is locked

and only Brandi’s Place families will be allowed to receive communications. Make sure that your log in is something that we w ill

recognize as well.

We hope that these reminders will help you and take one less item off your mind to worry about.