New Referral Program! Spread the Word About Jolly Giant Childcare!

"Why do you have a referral program?" It’s simple really…

• We appreciate your continued support and we want to give something back to you!
• Word of mouth from happy clients is the most effective form of advertising and avenue in gaining new clients within our community.
• Current families and friends that are happy with our programs and spread the word, keep our advertising costs down. In turn, we can put that advertising money right into our facilities and programs, thus maintaining the upmost quality care in equipment and supplies that you are accustom to.
• Why give the newspaper and advertising agencies money to promote our programs, when we can give that money to our Jolly Giant families and friends for helping to keep our programs full by spreading the word through our community?

"Who should I give the card to?" Anyone that who you have heard say…

• ‘My current provider closes when it snows, I’m so frustrated!’
• ‘My current provider isn’t providing healthy enough snacks or physical activity.’
• ‘My current provider doesn’t support my concerns or accommodate my child’s individual needs.’
• ‘My current provider doesn’t offer enough structure or programming.’
• ‘My current childcare centre isn’t very clean or organized.’
• ‘My current care provider works alone, so when she’s away or sick, she’s closed!’
• ‘My current provider has high fees and doesn’t even provide snacks, or go on field trips, or anything extra such as a Christmas Concert.’

 "How does it work?" Check this out…

• Pick up Referral Cards at any one of our locations, keep the referral cards close at hand when you are out and about.
• Talk to people, spread the word! Give them a card!
• If they sign up, we give you $100!

Central Vancouver Island Farmer's Markets!

It's Market season! And I couldn't be more excited to see what's new and exciting this year! I just love the live music, the relaxed or casual atmosphere, the friendly faces and the interesting finds! There are a few local markets to check out this summer and if I hear of others I will add them to the list! Click the links for all the details for each market!
Grab your reusable market bag and head on out to support our local vendors! Good times!

Nanaimo Downtown Farmer's Market Opens today! On Fridays from 10-2
https://www.facebook.com/NanaimoDowntownFarmersMarket

The Cedar Farmer's Market Opens on Sunday, Mother's Day! Sundays' 10-2
http://www.cedarfarmersmarket.com/

Bowen Road Farmer's Market Opens Wednesday May 16th
http://www.bcfarmersmarket.org/markets/marketdetails.asp?marketID=117

The Errington Farmer's Market is now Open on Saturdays 10-1pm
http://www.erringtonfarmersmarket.ca/w1/

The Qualicum Beach Farmer's Market on Saturdays is now Open
http://qbfarmersmarket.com/

Exuse This House

Excuse This House

Author: Unknown

Some houses try to hide the fact
That children shelter there,
Ours boasts it quite openly,
The signs are everywhere.

For smears are on the windows,
Little smudges are on the doors
I should apologize, I guess
For toys strew on the floor.

But I sat down with my child
And we played and laughed and read
And if the doorbell doesn’t shine,
His eyes will shine instead.

For when at times I’m forced to choose
The one job or the other,
I’d like to cook and clean and scrub,
But first I’ll be a mother.

Just Playing by Anita Wadley (1979)

When I’m building in the block room,

Please don’t say I’m

JUST Playing.

For, you see, I’m learning as I play;

about balance and shapes.

Who knows, I maybe an architect someday.

When I’m getting all dressed up,

Setting the table, caring for the babies,
Don’t get the idea I’m

JUST playing.

For, you see, I’m learning as I play.

I may be a mother or a father someday.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint,

Or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay,

Please don’t let me hear you say “she’s JUST playing"

For, you see, I’m learning as I play.

I’m expressing myself and being creative.
I may be an artist or an inventor someday.
When you see me
“Reading” to an imaginary audience,
Please don’t laugh and think I’m

JUST playing.

For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I may be a teacher someday.

When you see me combing the bushes for bugs,
Or packing my pockets with choice things I fi nd,
don’t pass it off as

JUST play.

For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I may be a scientist someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle,

or some plaything at my school,
Please don’t feel the time is wasted in playFor, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business someday.

When you see me cooking or tasting foods,

Please don’t think that because I enjoy it,
it is JUST playFor, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to follow directions and see differences.
I may be a cook someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run,
and move my body,
Please don’t say I’m

JUST playing.

For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.
When you ask me what I did at school today,

And I say,

“I JUST Played”,

Please don’t misunderstand me.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to enjoy and be successful in work.
I’m preparing for tomorrow.

Today, I’m a child and my work is play

Happy Mother's Day!

Mothers, oh, how we love you!
Mother’s for all that you do and all that you are, know that you are loved and cherished! Even on the days when you feel like you are invisible, feel like pulling your hair out, feel that you have been unheard, feel that you don’t have enough hours in the day, not enough days in the week. We know how hard you work, how big your heart is and how we don’t know what we would do without you! You are special in every way and this Mother’s Day, know that you are really loved, cherished and appreciated. Happy Mother’s Day!

Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs... since the payment is pure love. ~Mildred B. Vermont

Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever. ~Author Unknown

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. ~Sophia Loren, Women and Beauty

God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers. ~Jewish Proverb

A mother understands what a child does not say. ~Author Unknown

Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother. ~Oprah Winfrey

Mom Says
(Original Author Unknown: Sung to: "Twinkle, twinkle little star")
Sometimes, Mom says, "Don't do this,"
Sometimes, Mom says, "Don't do that,"
She still loves me, that I know.
Why? Because she tells me so.
Sometimes, Mom says, "Let's do this!"
Sometimes, Mom says, "Kiss, kiss, kiss!"

A Song for Mothers
(Original Author Unknown: Sung to: My Bologna Has a First Name)
Oh, my mother has a special name.
It s M-O-M-M-Y!
My mother has a special name.
It s M-O-M-M-Y!
Oh, I love to hug her every day.
And when I kiss her, I will say,
Mommy, mommy, I love you!
I L-O-V-E Y-O-U!

Creepy Crawlers!

Oh, it’s a creepy crawlie world out there! Bugs, bugs, bugs! We may stay clear of them but children are fascinated by them! Here are some great creepy crawly bug songs that have been tried and true, shared and reshared!

Did You Ever See?

Did you ever see a worm, a worm, a worm?

Did you ever see a worm move this way and that?

Move this way and that way and this way and that way?

Did you ever see a worm move this way and that?

Did you ever see a spider, a spider, a spider?

Did you ever see a spider climb this way and that?

Climb this way and that way and this way and that way?

Did you ever see a spider climb this way and that?

Did you ever see a bee, a bee, a bee?

Did you ever see a bee buzz this way and that?...

Did you ever see a ladybug, a ladybug, a ladybug?

Did you ever see a ladybug crawl this way and that?...

Did you ever see an ant, an ant, an ant?
Did you ever see an ant march this way and that?...

Did you ever see a mosquito, a mosquito, a mosquito?

Did you ever see a mosquito fly this way and that?...

 

Big Bugs,Small Bugs Sung to: "Frere Jacques"
Big bugs, small bugs, big bugs, small bugs,
See them crawl on the wall?
Creepy, creepy, crawling, never, never falling.
Bug, bugs, bugs, bugs, bugs, bugs.

Flutter Butterfly sung to: "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"
Flutter, flutter, butterfly.
Floating in the summer sky.
Floating by for all to see,
Floating by so merrily.
Flutter, flutter, butterfly,
Floating in the summer sky.

Bugs Go Sung to: "The Wheels on the Bus"
The firefly at night goes blink blink blink
Blink blink blink blink blink blink
The firefly at night goes blink blink blink
All around the town
The bees in the flowers go buzz buzz buzz...
The ants in the grass go march march march...
The crickets in the leaves go chirp chirp chirp...
The caterpillar in the field goes creep creep creep...

Can you move with me? Sung to: "Do Your Ears Hang Low"
Can you wiggle like a worm?
Can you squiggle? Can you squirm?
Can you flutter? Can you fly like a gentle butterfly?
Can you crawl upon the ground
Like a beetle that is round?
Can you move with me?

Can you flip? Can you flop?
Can you give a little hop?
Can you slither like a snake?
Can you give a little shake?
Can you dance like bee
Who is buzzing round a tree?
Can you move with me?

Pardon Garden Rhyme
What do you suppose?
A bee sat on my nose!
and what do you think?
He gave me a wink!
And said, “I beg your pardon...
I thought you were the garden!”

Key Principles of Safe Sleep to Reduce the Risk of SIDS

We are posting these links with important information to ensure that we have spread the word! For Parents and Caregivers! Helping to protect the safety of the precious babies in our world :)

http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/safe_sleep_for_babies

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hp-ps/dca-dea/stages-etapes/childhood-enfance_0-2/sids/pdf/bsse-essb-eng.pdf