Creekside Kids

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August 1, 2020 by Christopher Hooker

Creekside Kids Team Excited to Begin the 2020-2021 School Year

We are delighted to report that teachers and students will be returning to school on August 10, 2020. The Creekside Kids team is very excited to begin the new school year and we feel it is time to celebrate!

Why are we celebrating? Because all of our staff — the ones that you and your kids know and love — are returning. There’s a lot of loyalty within our team and our community, and we feel that is worth noting. These teachers really love their kids and families, and they are all looking forward to returning to Creekside Kids. It’s a great and cohesive team, so we’re really excited to kick off the school year on August 10th!

Due to the school guidelines set by the State of Colorado, Creekside Kids will be following all directives and procedures. So we can all adhere to the safety rules for your children and our staff, we thank you for your assistance in helping us create a positive, safe, and healthy educational experience for everyone involved.

Just for fun, here is a humorous graphic we found that illustrates some of the realities we face in trying to keep the kids safe/healthy.

Speaking of food, we have another important update to share with you. 

We no longer have a catering service. All parents will have to send nutritious shelf-stable lunches with their children each day. Lunches need to meet the FDA requirements, which we can provide to families. We’re happy to assist families in being sure that their children have a proper amount of each component required by the FDA. However, we lost our catering service due to COVID and the company changing their business model. We are searching for a cost-effective catering alternative. Yet, the health department prefers us to have children bring their own food from their own homes to reduce cross-contamination. 

To add, here is what Creekside Kids is required to do under the new COVID-era guidelines, which are fluid and frequently changing:

  • All people entering the building, including children, parents, and staff, are required to undergo temperature checks. Anyone showing signs of fever will be prevented from entering.
  • Before the end of the day, all children and staff will have their temperatures checked again so we can report if anyone is at risk and should be sent home until they are well.
  • In the COVID era, the realities are evident that we have to take care of each other if we are to succeed together.
  • We strive to offer an exceptional and safe environment for all of the children we serve. Before COVID, many of us thought that an exceptional environment included organic food, a thriving and creative learning experience, and a safe environment included video cameras, passcodes, and locks. In the time of COVID, safety is more than just video cameras and locks. 

Here is the support we need from the parents:

  • Our policies will be more strict than the State guidelines. 
  • Please be patient and understanding as we follow all of the processes to ensure the safety and health of your children.
  • The costs of following COVID-era guidelines, lower student head-count, and higher staffing requirements are forcing an increase in prices.
  • If a child or staff member comes down with COVID-19, Creekside Kids will be required to shut down for two weeks. Please understand that a sick child can put everyone at risk.

Here are our intended outcomes under these new school year circumstances:

  • As a result of our rigid controls on health and safety, we expect to have a clean, healthy, and exceptional learning environment that will remain COVID-free.
  • Though prices will be rising to compensate for the lower head-count of students and the increased staffing, Creekside Kids will still be providing the same amount of care and attention your family has grown to love.

Thank you for having faith in us. Thank you for having patience as we assimilate all of the new state requirements and guidelines for reopening our child care center in August. And, finally, thank you for doing your part so we can all be successful together. 

We adore you and your family. See you soon!  — The Creekside Kids Team

Filed Under: Events, Latest Updates, News, Parents Tips Tagged With: Child Centric, Children Development, Children Learning, Emilia Learning, Loris Malaguzzi, Pedagogy, Philosophy Of Education, Province Of Reggio Emilia, Reggio, Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia Approach, Reggio Emilia Philosophy

July 1, 2020 by Christopher Hooker

Best Kid-Friendly Activities While Social Distancing

Just because we’re still socially distancing doesn’t mean the summer’s great pleasures can’t be enjoyed. While not all of us have a backyard, almost all of us know of a place we can take our families where we can have some sense of social distancing from others in the summer sun. Nature is all around and Colorado Springs has an abundance  of opportunities to get outside with your little ones.

 

Here’s a list of creative approaches we can take to enjoy the arrival of summer with our families whilst protecting them from COVID19.

 

Build a simple waterpark in your backyard. I think nowadays, I would screech at seeing kids do some of the shenanigans we got into as kids, like drinking tap water straight from the garden hose on a hot day… but running through sprinklers was a joy not to be missed when a pool is not open. If you have a back yard space to work in, Slip ‘n’ Slides, assorted sprinklers, and water balloons can help you beat the heat in a way that is miles different from winter fun. J House Vlogs made their own sprinkler frame for the kids to run through with a little ingenuity and PVC pipe:

 

Picnic and barbeque. As we mentioned last month, the summer has many specific tastes that unlock the fun. Just because you can’t have twenty friends over doesn’t mean that your family wouldn’t enjoy having a barbeque, or perhaps even just a picnic.  Try bringing your grill and/or fire pit out to your driveway and inviting your neighbors to do the same.  There’s plenty of space and fresh air but it still feels like a party—don’t forget the Smores! These summer fares will help mark the change in season and move kids past the idea that they are stuck in a depressing pandemic. In addition to eating, there’s also learning to make summer treats in the kitchen including summer popsicles. YouTube Vlogger Missy Lanning has some great tips on making good-for-kids summer popsicles:

 

Create a Family Olympics. My family did this when I was in preschool: hosted a Family Olympics! We took a trip to a nearby high school and took pictures and Super-8 film (yes, I am that old) of my brothers and sisters doing various feats… running, jumping, climbing, and throwing. As the youngest, my parents prepared a special event or two for just me, so that I could shine and feel special (and not left behind). Keep in mind that the Olympics doesn’t have to be a traditional one; it can be tailored to the strength of your child’s indoor activities as well, such as a video game high score (or lowest time to complete)… You can even buy small awards and trophies online to commemorate the event, and with a dry board and a stopwatch, you can officiate times, distances, and so on for the camera! Watch the video below of the Presley family keeping their spirits up!

 

Dream of next summer. One thing you can do to offset the loss of a family vacation this summer is to plan next year’s trip with your kids, Plan a special meal around the meeting, where you can talk to kids about what they most want to do. While you can’t do some trips if still recovering from the financial hardships of COVID19, you can still plan a trip where the entire family can look forward to next year’s doings.  Work on a staycation to whet the appetite of the kids, where the whole family can watch videos of the attractions or the places they hope to see in the coming year.

 

With just a little bit of creativity and energy from you, the summer blahs can change to excitement and a feeling that COVID19 will eventually pass and let them be free again, and that the rites of summer will carry them on through whatever should happen. We at Creekside Kids hope your child will carry these reminders and use them to lift their spirits throughout their entire lives. 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

June 3, 2020 by Christopher Hooker

Kicking Off Summer In The Time Of COVID

With the arrival of June, the summer season has begun, and our Creekside kids should be free to be out in the sun, adventuring, teaming up for games, and playing together unfettered. COVID19 changes what we can allow our kids to do; to protect them, we have to limit their contact with others and maintain a safe environment.

 

Summer comes with all sorts of kid-friendly traditions. The long lockdown has been challenging for both parents and children but, the arrival of summer gives us an opportunity to change that.  It’s important to adapt these rites of summer to safely let our kids know that the joys of life are  still there for them.  We want to teach our children that we are resilient and are able to thrive in times of adversity.

 

The joy of living.  Life is bursting out of every crook and cranny in the summer. Insects emerge and the butterflies and birds are back. Take time to celebrate these things with your kids. Point out an anthill that has newly formed and explain how the colony works inside it. Pull up a YouTube video on ant colonies.  Look for the returning birds and the Monarch butterflies. Take a moment to show your kids how to appreciate the pleasure of being alive together, even during a pandemic.

 

The great outdoors.  In the summer, we look to do the things we can’t do the rest of the time and much of it is outdoors. It’s just warm enough to eat dinner outside and if you stay outside at dusk, you may be lucky enough to see bats flying around.  On the hottest days, Cheyenne Creek is a good way to beat the heat and share some fun memories together. Nature hikes are a chance to get out together and explore our high desert environment.  Bear Creek Nature Center has easily accessible trails for kids and grandparents too. Share a sunrise or a sunset, if you have the right vista. 

 

The bounty of summer.  Summer brings great foods to the table, and it can help children process this transition. Buy a watermelon (have you tried the yellow watermelons?), pick wild strawberries and raspberries in Cheyenne Canyon. Summer fruits and vegetables from a container garden or raised bed will help key your child into the changing season and provide new opportunities for the children to taste fresh fruits and vegetables they grow themselves.

 

Plant a berry garden.  If you’ve got a yard to play with, why not play in the dirt with your kids? Plant strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries in a sunny place in your garden, and perhaps pumpkins too, in anticipation of Autumn. Have a look at James Prigioni’s Gardening Channel for ideas on berries you can grow.

 

Honor the break. If you have older kids you have been homeschooling, keep in mind that they need their summer break to play, be silly, and put the academics they have learned through the year to practical hands-on use. Their mood is transferable to their younger Creekside siblings, so if older siblings feel unfairly burdened by a school year that isn’t ending due to extra lessons and tutoring, it could create a negative impression for the younger ones. Make sure to have a cut-off date and honor it, so that all your kids know that summer has a sacred place, even during a pandemic.

 

Honoring the seasons as they change is important because they provide your preschooler with a deeper understanding of time, the calendar, seasons, celebrations, and even astronomy.   Seasons and celebrations are how young children understand and mark time.  Be sure to come back next month for some great kid-friendly activities you can explore with your Creekside kids this summer while social distancing!

Filed Under: Events, Latest Updates, News, Parents Tips Tagged With: Child Centric, Children Development, Children Learning, Colorado Springs, Emilia Learning, Inspire Children, Loris Malaguzzi, Pedagogy, Philosophy Of Education, Province Of Reggio Emilia, Reggio, Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia Approach, Reggio Emilia Philosophy

June 3, 2020 by Christopher Hooker

Four Fun At-Home Adventures While Sheltering In Place

As you know, the schools continue to be closed and Creekside Kids is unable to open until further notice. Once we know more, you’ll be among the first to know!

 

In the meantime, we dreamt up four fun at-home adventures the family can enjoy while social distancing in the COVID-19 era.

 

Go camping in your backyard. Camping on your back deck or in your backyard is always fun! The kids get to sleep in the tent, burn off some energy outside, and they’re not too far away from the comforts of home. Bonus points if you cook a meal or two outside of your kitchen and enjoy some smores. Yum!

 

 

Bury treasure and create a pirate’s map. The idea of finding buried treasure is an age-old fantasy that has inspired a lot of us. What if you and the kids put together a treasure chest that contains a time capsule of goods and mementos that would be fun to rediscover later? Then, you can bury that treasure chest / time capsule and create a GPS map to aid you in finding it again many years later. You can even talk like pirates throughout the entire project. Argh, matey!

 

 

Start a fairy garden. At Creekside Kids, we tend to play in the garden as much as possible because it’s a great learning experience for the children. Lately, we saw a fairy garden that was inspired by a broken planting pot. In this fairy garden, you and the kids can find miniature objects and plants that would make fairies feel right at home. If you build multiple fairy gardens with multiple broken pots, you can create an entire fairy community in your yard!

 

 

Create a virtual block party. Since so many people are using Zoom and other video conferencing services, how easy would it be to host a virtual block party? Send a notice out to your neighbors — even those that may have moved away — and invite them to your virtual block party. Everyone can gather around their cameras and share stories, play Pictionary or trivia games, and share the recipes of what they’re eating and drinking. If you’re using Zoom, you can send the kids and adults to smaller breakout rooms.

 

 

If you decide to enjoy these at-home adventures, we would love to see you share your photos and videos on our Facebook page. Even though we cannot physically be with you and your children right now, we certainly love staying connected with our entire Creekside Kids community. 

Filed Under: Events, Latest Updates, News, Parents Tips Tagged With: Child Centric, Children Development, Children Learning, Colorado Springs, Emilia Learning, Inspire Children, Loris Malaguzzi, Pedagogy, Philosophy Of Education, Province Of Reggio Emilia, Reggio, Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia Philosophy

June 3, 2020 by Christopher Hooker

COVID-19 Updates and How It Is Affecting Creekside Kids

As you know, Governor Polis has issued an order, which states there will be no in-person learning through April 30th and has issued a Stay-at-Home Order through April 26th. We are keeping our fingers crossed that he does not extend the order, but we’ll have to wait and see.  Although Creekside Kids is a private school we rent our space from School District 12 and have to follow their mandates.  We regret that while other freestanding child care centers in town can remain open, Creekside Kids must remain closed until the school district allows us back in.  We are communicating regularly with the district administration and will pass along any new information as we receive it.

 

In the meantime, here is some news from the staff at Creekside Kids.

 

All of our staff and students seem to have avoided COVID19!  We do not have any reported cases!  Excellent job parents!!!  Way to go!!!

Nationally, child care centers are an essential service. Unfortunately, we are located in a public school building, which means we are forced to close. 

We are all healthy and doing our best to enjoy this opportunity to spend more time at home.

We are financially secure and safe. Our employees are taken care of with a generous severance package to tide them over and job assured unemployment which means they are assured of a job as soon as the stay-at-home orders are lifted.  Our staff is ready to return to work once School District 12 allows us to re-open. Rest assured that your children will be returning to familiar faces once the COVID-19 crisis is over. 

We miss you and your kids, and we eagerly look forward to seeing all of you again when we are allowed to offer in-person learning again.

We plan to offer summer camps and child care as usual when the school district allows us to reopen. Please let us know if summer camp/child care is of interest to you and your children by messaging us on KangarooTime or by contacting nica@creeksidekids.org.  We are planning camps and schedules during this quiet time.

We expect a flood of calls and scheduling issues as we are able to re-open so please think of your needs for the beginning of May and through the summer.  Nica will need to schedule each of our students individually. 

In the meantime, we are disinfecting the entire school building, removed/cleaned all soft furnishings, steam cleaned the carpets twice, and scrubbed down all hard surfaces to reduce the risk of contamination. We also removed all books and replaced them to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus from little hands. 

District 12 has gone to great lengths to sanitize, disinfect and clean every building and our Mr. Mike has gone out of his way to do an excellent and thorough job cleaning the entire building.  Way to go Mr. Mike! 

We are actively monitoring KangerooTime for messages and will respond within 24 hours. This is our parent messaging service and we can receive messages through Facebook and email as well.  

 

We are deeply touched by the calls and emails we’ve received from our community of parents and children. Truly, we love your support and we know that together, we’ll pull through these uncertain times. Until then, stay connected with us through our Facebook page for engaging posts you can share with the kids.

Filed Under: Latest Updates, News Tagged With: Child Centric, Children Development, Children Learning, Colorado Springs, Emilia Learning, Inspire Children, Loris Malaguzzi, Pedagogy, Philosophy Of Education, Province Of Reggio Emilia, Reggio, Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia Approach, Reggio Emilia Philosophy

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creekside building
CREEKSIDE KIDS
1201 W Cheyenne Rd
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 635-9111
 
6:30 am - 5:45 pm
Monday - Friday

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Thank you to all of your wonderful teachers! Athima loves camp every summer. And she learns so much. She will be sad that it is the end. But hope to see you next summer!
Stockinger Family
Dear Creekside Staff, Thank you so much for taking such amazing care of Grace this past year. It means so much to me knowing she was in such wonderful hands and she was so happy there with you. We wish you a wonderful summer and hope to stay in touch. Thank you for everything!
Kimnach Family
Creekside teachers, Thanks for another great year of helping our kids “spread their wings”. You are a wonderful caring group of teachers!
John
Dear Jennifer and Veronica, dear everybody at Creekside Kids! Thank you so much for being wonderful leaders, so caring and fun!
Christopher and Family
Dear Creekside, Thank you for allowing Hanna Grace to borrow books, and for taking care of  my  sweet girl!  
Gina
Veronica, Jennifer, Chris, Libby, Melinda and the team I missed. Thank you so much! We will miss the love, fun and guidance (to us both!) of the Creekside Family!
Julie and Sofia Di Gerlando
Thank you so much for everything! You guys are great with kiddos and we would recommend you to anyone. We’ll miss you and we appreciate the time Eli had here. Thanks!
The Wilson Family
Thank you for the wonderful two years at Creekside. We have always felt safe and secure and have enjoyed all the fun and educational activities. We will miss you as Nick moves on to Kindergarten.
Elizabeth, Joe and Nicholas

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Location & Hours

creekside building
1201 W Cheyenne Rd
Colorado Springs, CO 80906  
 
6:30 am - 5:45 pm
Monday - Friday
(719) 635-9111

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Testimonials

Thank you to all of your wonderful teachers! Athima loves camp every summer. And she learns so much.… Read more
Stockinger Family
Read more...
Creekside teachers, Thanks for another great year of helping our kids “spread their wings”. You a… Read more
John
Read more...
Thank you so much for everything! You guys are great with kiddos and we would recommend you to anyon… Read more
The Wilson Family
Read more...
Dear Jennifer and Veronica, dear everybody at Creekside Kids! Thank you so much for being wonderful … Read more
Christopher and Family
Read more...
Dear Creekside, Thank you for allowing Hanna Grace to borrow books, and for taking care of  my … Read more
Gina
Read more...
Thank you for the wonderful two years at Creekside. We have always felt safe and secure and have enj… Read more
Elizabeth, Joe and Nicholas
Read more...
Veronica, Jennifer, Chris, Libby, Melinda and the team I missed. Thank you so much! We will miss … Read more
Julie and Sofia Di Gerlando
Read more...
Dear Creekside Staff, Thank you so much for taking such amazing care of Grace this past year. It … Read more
Kimnach Family
Read more...

CREEKSIDE KIDS 1201 W Cheyenne Rd Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (719) 635-9111

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