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 Time to register for Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts (June 2008)
If your child will be three or four next fall, now is the time to think about enrolling your child in Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts.
Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts provides 11,000 children with quality pre-kindergarten experiences in full-day and half-day classrooms around the state. Classes are offered in public schools, child care, Head Start, and nursery schools.
Quality pre-kindergarten prepares children for reading and math, but also for paying attention, following directions and getting along with others. This strong early start in pre-kindergarten means they have a better chance of doing well in school, going on to college or career training, and getting a good job. All of this can start by enrolling your child in a PA Pre-K Counts classroom!
Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts offers quality preschool to help your child learn the skills they need to be ready and excited for kindergarten.
•Highly qualified teachers, with experience working with young children
•Small class sizes so your teachers have lots of time for your child
•A curriculum and learning activities that help your child thrive
•Review of your child’s development with teachers to help your child reach his promise
Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts is designed for children who are at risk of school failure, either because of income (300% of the federal poverty level, or a family of four earning $63,600), language (English is not your first language), cultural or special needs issues. If your child falls into one of these categories, you may be eligible to apply.
Programs will begin accepting enrollments beginning April 1. Pending approval of the Governor’s budget proposal by the General Assembly, approximately 12,000 children will receive Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts in 2008-2009.
To find out about PA Pre-K Counts programs near you and to apply:
•Visit www.papromiseforchildren.com; or
•Call 1-877-4-PA-KIDS (1-877-472-5437)
Please download a printable brochure. Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts is made possible by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
 Who to Call in Bucks County (June 2008)
Do you have a situation? Trouble getting started? Click here for a GREAT guide of agencies in Bucks County.
 Parent Handbook (June 2008)
Please review the updated Parent Handbook for Subsidized Child Care. It is an invaluable resource explaining the eligibility for subsidized child care. If you are a new parent looking to apply, or an existing client with a question, please review our most up-to-date regulations. Call us at 1-800-371-2109 with questions or to receive a copy by mail.
 Looking for quality child care? Keystone STARS can help (June 2008)
For parents, deciding where your young child will spend his/her day can affect their learning for life. What your child experiences before age five will affect language skills, number skills, and social skills. In fact, about 90% of our brains are developed before we reach kindergarten. Studies show that attending a quality early learning program can have a huge impact in a child’s readiness for school, achievement in school, and future career and life success.
So how do you know if an early learning program is providing quality early learning opportunities? One way is to ask about Keystone STARS. Keystone STARS promotes quality in early learning programs such as child care and Head Start. Programs can progressively earn from a STAR 1 to a STAR 4 level based on quality standards in four key areas:
• Staff education: early childhood teachers have the training and knowledge for working with young children
• Learning environment: the program has a variety of materials and activities for each age level that makes it possible for children to learn something new every day!
• Leadership and management: a quality program has to have sound business practices to ensure your child’s safety and early learning
• Family and community partnerships: Parents and community members are encouraged to become a part of the child’s learning progress
Pennsylvania also provides technical assistance and supports for programs as they move up the STARS quality ladder.
There are approximately 4,000 Keystone STARS programs in Pennsylvania, including centers, group child care and family child care homes. To find out about Keystone STARS programs near you:
• Visit www.papromiseforchildren
• Call 1-877-4-PA-KIDS (1-877-472-5437), or
• Call the Child Care Information Services (CCIS) of Bucks County at 1-800-371-2109
Please take a minute to watch the Keystone STARS commercial and download a printable brochure. Keystone STARS is made possible by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.
 Water Safety Tips (June 2008)
With summer quickly approaching and the temperature rising, swimming and water play become a quick way to beat the heat and have fun at the same time, however, it is important to remember the safety risks when children are playing around water. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) states drowning to be the second leading cause of death to children under age 5. The American Red Cross offers the following safety tips and information about the importance of being safe outdoors and around water.
• Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim.
• Swim in supervised areas only.
• Obey all rules and posted signs.
• Watch out for the "dangerous too's"--too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
• Know how to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies.
• Never leave a child unobserved around water.
• Select a supervised area. A trained lifeguard who can help in an emergency is the best safety factor. Even good swimmers can have an unexpected medical emergency in the water. Never swim alone.
It is also important to care for your skin and be safe when you are out in the sun for extended periods of time. By remembering the following safety precautions, you can ensure a fun and healthy summer.
• Protect your skin: Sunlight contains two kinds of ultra-violet (UV) rays -- UVA increases the risk of skin cancer and other skin diseases. UVB causes sunburn and can lead to skin cancer. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and wear a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) containing a high rating such as 15.
• Drink plenty of water regularly and often even if you do not feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool. Avoid drinks with caffeine in them. They can make you feel good briefly but make the heat's effects on your body worse.
• Watch for signs of heat stroke: Heat stroke is life threatening. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red, and dry skin; changes in consciousness, rapid, weak pulse, and rapid, shallow breathing.
• Wear eye protection: Sunglasses are like sunscreen for your eyes and protect against damage that can occur from UV rays. Be sure to wear sunglasses with labels that indicate that they absorb at least 90 percent of UV sunlight.
Visit the Red Cross website for more information about outdoor safety and visit the CPSC website for more information on drowning.
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