Archive for August, 2011

Carnival

    August 29, 2011

Building Blocks Child Care Center Hosts a Community Summer Carnival

While our GSA child care programs provide high quality, affordable child care to federal families, the program also prides itself for being a community partner.   Many of the child care centers enroll children whose parents work in the communities where the center is located.  The culture of many of the child care programs focus on supporting and reaching out to communities and bringing them into the center.  

On August 18, 2011,  Easter Seals Building Blocks Child Care Center in Auburn, WA hosted an end of summer celebration with Federal and community families, as well as federal and community partners.woman and child dipping stick in bucket  Everyone joined together for a BBQ, homemade lemonade, games, bounce house and demonstrations by Customs and Border Patrol.  The Puget Sound Field Office provided space and tables and chairs for the event.  According to Lara Canada, Director of Building Blocks, children from each classroom participated in games with their families; “we had a 99.8% participation rate.  It was a huge success.”   

GSA Child Care Programs strive to meet the NAEYC requirements for accreditation.  One standard is dedicated specifically to Families and Community 3 boys fishing for plastic rings in kidding poolRelationships.  Criteria 7.A.12 and 7.A.14 require the program to facilitate opportunities for families to meet with one another on a formal and informal basis, work together, and provide support for each other.  Program staff and families work together to plan events.   The carnival demonstrated Building Blocks dedication to families while showcasing their ability to partner with local community vendors and supporters and have fun!

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Newark Celebrates Expansion/Renovation

    August 12, 2011

The blistering heat and blaring sun were unable to interrupt the excitement and enthusiasm in Newark on July 11th as federal and local officials, families, teachers and children gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the renovation and expansion of the Newark Federal Kids Care Child Care Center.

The renovation/expansion of the child care facility, located on the first floor of the Peter W. Rodino Federal Building in Newark, New Jersey was managed by New Jersey Service Center architect Anne Marie Michael, and designed by the architectural firm of Messick, Cohen, Wilson, Baker Architects LLP.

The original Newark Federal Kids center was opened in 1990 with roughly 4000 square feet of space able to accommodate approximately 56 children. image of a hallwayThe renovation and expansion has added an additional 1000 square feet to the center, in order to meet the growing need for child care at this location.  

Michael sang the National Anthem which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance recited by the children of Newark Federal Kids center. Regional Administrator Denise Pease was the keynote speaker and painted a picture of GSA’s commitment to continue improving federal child care centers through programs and partnerships like the center’s partnership with The First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative.

In her remarks Pease also thanked Michael, Magda Marcano from the GSA Child Care Division, contracting officers Rochelle Powell and Brenda Yates for their work on the project, and Gary Walz, Chris Braham from the Newark Service Center as well as student intern Chelsea Reed for their help with the ceremony.   The Newark Federal Kids center is an endorced EcoHealthy center that is dedicated to providing a safe and healthy environment for children to grow and learn while promoting and setting an example of sustainability.

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