The Fall edition of ‘Parents on the Go’ is a handy guide to New West Family events and programs: Parents On Go Fall 2013 Newsletter. Brought to you by Family Services of Greater Vancouver, Kids New West, and Success By Six.
From Parent Resources
Queensborough Childcare for Parent Fitness
The new Queensborough Community Centre is making it easier for parents to keep fit! They offer childcare on Thursday evenings, so that parents can use the Fitness Centre. Call 604-525-7388 for details, or check the Fitness and Gym Schedules on page 9 of the Active Living Guide: http://www.newwestpcr.ca/database/files/library/Fall_2013_Final_ALG.pdf
English Made Easy and F.L.Y.!
The Lower Mainland Purpose Society is pleased to offer two programs for families with children 0 to 5 years: Fall 2013 Family Groups
In Queensborough: English Made Easy, on Wednesdays 10am to Noon, starting Sept 18th. Details: Brochure EME Fall 2013
In New Westminster: Fun, Learning and You! on Tuesdays 10am to Noon, starting Sept 17th. Details: Brochure -FLY
Eat Well, Play Well-At home!
This Parent Page from YMCA Child Care Resource and Referral has lots of great tips for healthy eating with young children at home, and some fun family activities too! Parent Page Fall 2013
Single Moms Group
Family Services of Greater Vancouver in New Westminster is pleased to offer an opportunity to join in and share your thoughts about being a single mother. Learn about community resources and share the joys and challenges of solo parenting. Wednesdays 5:30 to 7:30pm at Olivet Church, starting in October. Please register, details here: Poster Single Mothers Group-fall 2013
Fall Programs at Family Services Greater Vancouver
Family Services of Greater Vancouver in New Westminster have Fall programs for families, new immigrants and seniors. Cook up a new dish in their community kitchens, tune up your parenting skills, or come play with some young friends!
Details here: Family Services Fall 2013 Community Kitchens Fall 2013
New West Family Place September Calendar
New Westminster Family Place is ready for September, with family drop-in play time, parenting workshops, clothing exchange and more! Here’s their calendar: Sept 2013 front Sept 2013 back
Finding Quality Child Care
New website, http://www.findingqualitychildcare.ca/ provides information for parents looking for quality child care that’s affordable and meets the needs of their families. Parents can find out why it’s hard to find good child care, details about child care options in each province and territory, general information about child care in Canada, what the best evidence says about quality, and how to improve their chances of accessing high-quality child care. The website includes Quality child care in focus: What parents should look for, a new video designed for parents of young children in Canada.
New Food Facebook Page
The New Westminster Food Action Committee has launched a fabulous new Facebook Page–keep up to date on local events and food related issues.
https://www.facebook.com/NewWestminsterCommunityFoodActionCommittee
Lock It For Love
This summer BC Ambulance Service, BC Children’s Hospital and Fraser Health are joining forces to increase parental awareness of the risks to children from falls that happen from windows and balconies during the hot summer months. BC Ambulance Service attended more than 150 serious falls last year that resulted in serious injury or, in a few cases, death to toddlers. Screens across doors and windows will not contain a toddler/young child who runs toward the screen. This applies to high-rise buildings – as well as homes with two stories. To help build awareness, they’ve created a window decal lock-it-for-love– to remind parents/caregivers to lock balcony doors and secure windows when they are open.
Remember:
• Talk to children about window and balcony safety.
• Window screens are not strong enough to hold the weight of a child – they keep bugs out, not children in.
• Move furniture and planters away from windows and balcony edges to discourage children from climbing, especially cribs and beds.
• Install and maintain window safety devices – ensure there is a safe release option in case of a house fire.
• Keep windows open 10 centimetres or less – children can fit through a space as small as 12 centimetres.
• Don’t leave children unattended on balconies or in higher floor rooms with open windows.