In Cape Cod

Early Childhood Check-in from the Cape Codder MA

Friday, September 16, 2005

(Please send items for this column to Elizabeth Aldred at Cape Cod Children's Place, P.O. Box 1935, N. Eastham, MA 02651; tel. 508-240-3310 or 800-871-9535; fax 508-240-2352.)

Here’s what’s happening in Cape Cod:

Eastham Playgroup Hosts Sing-along

The Eastham Toddler Time playgroup meets at the Eastham United Methodist Church, Route 6, on Tuesdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

On Sept. 20, singer-songwriter Julie Wanamaker will visit the group. She will play new songs and old favorites; bring your infants and children up to age 3 and sing along. For information on this playgroup, call parent coordinator Laura Handbville at 508-255-7452.

For information on other Lower and Outer Cape playgroups and activities for children of the same age group, funded by the Mass. Family Network program, call Cape Cod Children's Place at 508-240-3310.

Call the Children's Place at 508-240-3310 for information about the council, or just come to Wednesday's meeting.

Adoption LifeBooks Program

Adoptive parents and families considering adoption are invited to attend the first in a series of programs in an education and support series sponsored this fall and winter by the Cape Cod Adoption Network.

Author Cindy Probst will speak on "Adoption LifeBooks: A Bridge to your Child's Beginnings" on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the Harwich Community Center on Oak Street.

This is a collaborative program supported by funding from the Mass. Children's Trust Fund and the Mass. Department of Early Education and Care. For information, and to register for childcare, call one of the collaborating partners:

• Cape Cod Children's Place 508-240-3310
• Cape Cod Child Development 508-775-6240 ext. 512
• Harwich Family Resource Center 508-430-1692
• Upper Cape Family Network 508-548-0151 ext. 172

Free Parent CPR Class

Registration is being accepted now for a free, three-hour introduction to CPR and first aid presented for parents and parents-to-be. The class will be held Thursday, Oct. 13, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Cape Cod Children's Place, Forest Avenue in North Eastham. Call 508-240-3310 to sign up. No childcare is available. This class is one of many programs for Lower and Outer Cape families funded by a grant from Mass. Early Education and Care, administered by the Children's Place.

Provincetown Playgroup Moves to Library

The Provincetown Born to Read playgroup opens in its new home at the Provincetown Public Library, 356 Commercial St., on Sept. 20. The playgroup will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

All children up to age 3 accompanied by a parent or caregiver are invited to attend this free playgroup and enjoy stories, music, play and snacks led by Linda Schlechter, playgroup facilitator. For information, call Karen at the library, 508-487-7094.

Early Childhood Council Meets

Calling all parents and others interested in early childhood programs and activities on the Lower and Outer Cape: Come to the first meeting this school year of the Lower Cape Early Childhood Council on Wednesday, Sept. 21, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Cape Cod Children's Place, Forest Avenue in North Eastham.

This group meets the third Wednesday of each month to discuss programs for children and families, and to oversee the grants that fund the programs. The council's goal this year will be to stay updated on important changes to funding and programs as the state reorganizes its services under the new department of Early Education and Care.

Moms & Babies Groups Meet Weekly

Two Moms & Babies groups meet every week, for mothers and their pre-walking babies. One group meets Mondays at the Harwich Community Center on Oak Street, the other meets at Cape Cod Children's Place on Forest Avenue in North Eastham. Both groups meet from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

These free groups are funded by the Children's Trust Fund and facilitated by Kim Concra, parent education coordinator at the Children's Place. Call 508-240-3310 for more information.

Wellfleet Positions Available

Two positions are available for people interested in working with children's programs in Wellfleet.

Wellfleet Public Library is looking for a person or persons - parent, teenager, community member - to help out on Fridays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and from 3:30 to 5 p.m. with jobs supporting the early childhood programs offered at the library. A stipend will be paid for this job, which will involve some heavy lifting and book shelving. Call Martha Gordon or Lucy Gilmore at the library, 508-349-0310. [continue]

Wellfleet Child Care Association is looking for a director for the program, which provides afterschool activities and care for children at Wellfleet Elementary School. Call Margaret Ward at 508-349-7932 for information.

Reminder

Wellfleet Council on Aging will host a shower and open house tomorrow, Sept. 17, from 9 to 11 a.m. for a new childcare program to be located at the COA. The program, Children's Place Sea-Babies at the Wellfleet COA, will provide licensed care for infants and toddlers. It will be operated and administered by Cape Cod Children's Place. For more information, call 508-240-3310, or Terry at the COA 508-349-2800 ext. 205.