June 2006 Children Explored the World of Farming at Ulster BOCES Child Care Center
In between haystacks, tractors, pigs, and horses, children were busy laughing and singing as they embarked upon a fun-filled journey learning about life “Down on the Farm” at the Ulster BOCES Child Care Center’s annual Open House that recently took place at the Career & Technical Center in Port Ewen.
In a festive celebration to mark the end of the school year, the day featured many hands-on learning activities designed around farm life such as planting, make-your-own haystacks, pin the tail on the pig, farm puzzles, corncob toss, paint with tractors, playing in the “BOCES Farmhouse,” readings from various popular farm books, and even a genuine farm-style hay ride!
“This year's end-of-the-year Open House was very exciting,” says Kristi Cusa, coordinator of the Ulster BOCES Child Care Center. “The staff worked very hard to offer a variety of activities with a “Down on the Farm” theme that ranged from painting to cooking to playing in the ‘mud,’ all of which the children seemed to enjoy. It's especially fun to have the parents and other family members join us for this event and participate in the various activities with their children.”
During this fun-filled day, 12 of the young children moving on to kindergarten were also recognized during a small ceremony. “This year we recognized one of the largest groups we have ever had going to kindergarten in September. “We are certainly going to miss the children. Most of them started with us as infants, so my emotions run from that of sadness over losing these terrific children and their families, to happiness at the knowledge that we were a part of their early learning years and shared in their growth and development.”
The Ulster BOCES Child Care Center, accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), provides high quality early education services for children from eight weeks to five years old. Clients include children of Ulster BOCES students enrolled in the Parenting Teen and Adult & Continuing Education programs, Ulster BOCES employees, and the general community.
The Center also serves as a hands-on learning environment for high school students interested in pursuing careers in the childcare field. In addition to studying
early childhood education in the traditional classroom setting, students enrolled in the two-year program are given the opportunity to see the methods and techniques of professional childcare providers, as well as gain actual experience while working with the children themselves.
For more information on the Child Care Center and other Ulster BOCES programs, please visit the website at www.ulsterboces.org or call the Career & Technical Center at (845) 331-6680.
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