Get Ready For Summer Fun

Mon., May 27, 1996

Lynn Gibson Correspondent

The countdown to summer has kids elated and parents scrambling to make summer child-care arrangements.

Child Care Aware, a national resource and referral agency founded by Dayton Hudson Corp., wants to improve child care in local communities and teach parents how to identify quality child-care options.

It offers a free brochure, “Five Steps To Finding Summer Child Care,” which gives these suggestions.

Look. Explore all types of care options, including park and recreation departments, churches, school programs, day camps, community centers and the YWCA. Visit several programs to determine which suits your child’s needs.

Ask. Involve your child in the decision-making process by asking what type of program he or she prefers. Ask questions of the adults who will be with your child during the day as to their discipline policy, first aid experience and philosophy of child development.

Count. Be certain the adult-to-child ratio is adequate to give your child attention, while ensuring his or her safety and supervision.

Check. Is the program certified or accredited by a professional association? How long has the program been operating? What percentage of children return each year?

Be informed. Request Child Care Aware written materials on child-care issues, and ask for the child-care resource and referral agencies in your region. To contact Child Care Aware, call (800) 424-2246.

Olympic fever

This summer, children will experience the thrill of watching athletes from around the world gather in Atlanta to participate in the Olympic Games.

To enhance kids’ enjoyment and understanding of this goodwill competition, The Learning Works company offers a workbook, “Gold Medal Games,” containing pictures, puzzles, facts and fun for kids 6 to 9.

It’s a great summer activity: Kids can work mazes while learning the history of the Olympics, beginning with the early chariot races.

They can design their own Olympic mascot while memorizing Olympic firsts, and color puzzles to explore facts about the athletes.

The book is $6.95 plus shipping. To order, call (800) 235-5767.

Help for homeless kids

The YWCA After-School Program presents the Rainbow Youth Club, a Wednesday night gathering for homeless children and their parents.

The ongoing program features a weekly family dinner, prepared and shared by children and their parents, while the club provides instruction on how to set a table, how to serve a meal, table etiquette, manners, and more.

The program also offers a safe, nurturing environment to strengthen parent-child relationships.

For more information on the Rainbow Youth Club, call Fran Green at 326-1190, ext. 128.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Drawing of Olympic rings

MEMO: The Family Track is a weekly column of notes and information for families. Send items to Lynn Gibson, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615, or fax (509) 459-5098.

The Family Track is a weekly column of notes and information for families. Send items to Lynn Gibson, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615, or fax (509) 459-5098.

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