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Fall 2016
Fall weather is finally here! The leaves are starting to change and children are adjusting to the new school year.  Below you will find some back to school tips, recipies, two fun fall crafts to do with your child at home and information on the fall 2016 parent education course. 
Recipie Corner
Homemade Granola Bars
  1. Lightly butter a 9”×13” glass pan. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, honey, and vanilla. Tip: If your butter isn’t softened, use a rolling pin and roll it between two sheets of wax paper. Or mash it with your hands while in the wrapper. Our secret.
  2. Add the oats, flour, and baking soda. Beat well until combined. Stir in add-ins by hand. Press mixture hard into pan. (You can use your hands!)
  3. Bake at 325 degrees F for 15-22 minutes until just golden brown on the edges. You will think they are too soft. They are not. Just remind yourself that there's not even any egg in the recipe, so you can't hurt anybody if you underbake.
  4. Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing and serving. Store at room temperature or freeze.

    Inspired by: www.kitchenstewardship.com
Ingredients: 
  • 1 c. butter, softened
  • 1 c. honey
  • 4½ c. rolled oats
  • 1 ½ c. whole wheat or spelt flour
  • 1. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • Add-ins to equal 2 cups total:
  • mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Add-Ins: chopped walnuts, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, coconut, other nuts of your choice. 
String Cheese Pencils
  1. Cut each piece of cheese to make it flat.  
  2. Cut a circle of ham the size of the top of the cheese stick.
  3. Attach to the end of the cheese with mustard for the eraser.  
  4. Press the end of a bugle into the opposite end of the cheese stick and stick the raisin on the end of the bugle.  Enjoy!
Ingredients: 
  1. String cheese
  2. Mustard
  3. Bugels Corn snacks
  4. Raisins
  5. 1/2-in thick slices of ham
Inspired by: www.moneywisemoms.com

Parent/Provider Workshop!
The Fall 2016 Parent Education course will be Tuesday October 25th, 2016 from 6:30-8:30pm.
Title: "Who's in Charge at Your House...Everyday Behavior Management"
Description: The course will examine the history of traditional household discipline and alternate effective methods of home management; including guidance and conflict resolution.  Participants will learn to identify mistaken and misbehavior and explore the consequences of punishment and the benefits of positive guidance.  Six key guidance practices of a successful learning environment will be discussed and strategies to increase appropriate social and learning behaviors will be explored. 
The course is FREE and if you are a provider and you bring a parent, you will receive a voucher for a free additional training (1.5 or 2 hours). 
Presenter: Renee Falanga-Brenner
(For Providers: Covers OCFS training requirement-Child Day Care Program Development)
Call 845-473-4141 x224 to register

Fall Leaf Crafts

Fun crafts to do on the weekend


Fall Leaf painting
What You will need: Leaves, plain paper, tape, paint; the color of your choice and a big paintbrush.
1.  Go outside and collect a bunch of leaves with your child.  All sizes, shapes and colors. 
2.  Take out a big sheet of white paper and lay it out on a table. 
3.  Have your child lay out the leaves in a design of their choice on the paper. 
4.  Tape the stems of the leaves down to the paper.
5.  Paint along the edges of the leaves on the paper. It's okay if they get it on the leaves because you will be removing them. 
6.  Carefully peel off the leaves from the paper and let the paint dry. Enjoy!
Inspired by: minne-mama.blogspot.com
Fall Leaf Wreaths
What you will need: Paper plate, glue, scissors, colorful leaves, ribbon or twine and paint (optional). 
1.  Cut the plate into a ring shape.  You can paint the ring or leave it white. Let dry if painted.
2.  Paint the ring with the glue.
3.  Stick the leaves onto the ring and allow to dry.  Add a second layer of leaves if needed. 
4.  Tie a ribbon or twine on the top for hanging.  Enjoy!
Inspired by: simplydesigning.porch.com

Back to School Tips and Tricks
Some fun tricks and tips to make lunch packing easy 


  1. Lunchbox Ice Packs: Use a frozen sponge in a zipblock bag for an easy icepack. 
  2. Make your own lunchables: Use a divided storage container and muffin tin liners for containing food.  Healthy lunchables!
  3. Snack Butterflies: Twist the top of two filled zip block bags of snacks and use a clothespin to attach the two bags together. Paint a face and attach a pipe cleaner to the top for antennas. 
  4. Apple Trick: Preslice an apple with an apple cutter but keep it together in the apple shape and wrap a rubber band around it to keep it from browning. 
  5. Banana Note: Use a toothpick and carve a message on the inside of a banana and it will appear as the day goes on!
  6. Make a lunch packing station for easy use.  Fill a leveled storage utility cart with lunch packing items such as throw away spoons/forks, containers ect. 
Inspired from: www.iheartartsncrafts.com


Some tips for smooth transitions


  1. Make sure your child is getting enough sleep and has reset their time clock from summer sleep schedules.
  2. Have your child eat a healthy breakfast with protein.  
  3. Write down all the information your child needs to know like bus driver numbers/names, classroom numbers, teacher names, emergency contact numbers, ect.  You can write it on index cards and punch a hole on the end and attach with a key ring to keep in their backpack.
  4. Use a wall calender to keep track of HW due, tests, activities, rehearsals ect.
  5. Have your child set out cloths, HW and books the night before so the mornings aren't filled with rushes. 
Inspired by: kidshealth.org

Need Help Finding Childcare?
     Call the Council! A referral specialist will assist you with your search for childcare and help you narrow your search. After answering a few questions, you will be given a list of NYS licensed/registered childcare providers who provide care in the area you are looking. The specialist can also connect you to other community resources and provide basic information regarding childcare subsidy. Assistance is also available to help you identify quality childcare programs for your child's needs.  

(845) 473-4141 or go online to search on your own!
Clickable Links
Parents can be partners  of CCCDP, too! Click here for more information. 
Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission for current information on recalls and product details. 
Visit CCCDP's website for a list of partnering agencies who offer parent education resources. 
Tell us what you need! Take the Parent Education Needs Assessment.  
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Child Care Council of Dutchess and Putnam, Inc.
70 Overocker Rd | Poughkeepsie, NY | 12603 US
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