Thursday, April 28, 2022

Our Impact & Mission

Solano Family and Children’s Services (SFCS) is an organization dedicated to enriching children’s lives through support and services to families and child care providers.

The services and support we offer include:

  • Free child care referrals for families seeking quality child care.
  • Parent education and resources to help families make the best child care choices.
  • Assistance for income eligible families with child care costs.
  • Child care provider training and development to help them build sustainable businesses and provide quality, healthy and age-appropriate care.
  • Child health, development, nutrition and safety education.
  • Meal reimbursement program for child care providers serving nutritious meals and snacks to children in their care.
  • Public education and advocacy for families and children at the local, state and national level.
  • Our agency also collects data on child care demand and capacity to help in planning for local child care needs.

SFCS operates on a non-discriminatory basis, giving equal access to services without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, gender, ethnic group identification, age, religion, mental or physical disability, or on the basis of a person’s association with person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

LOCATION
421 Executive Court North
Fairfield, CA 94534-4019
(707) 863-3950

Friday, April 22, 2022

What is Childcare?

Child care, otherwise known as day care, is the care and supervision of a child or multiple children at a time, whose ages range from two weeks to eighteen years. Child care is a broad topic that covers a wide spectrum of professionals, institutions, contexts, activities, and social and cultural conventions. Early child care is an equally important and often overlooked component of child development.

Care facilitated by similar-aged children covers a variety of developmental and psychological effects in both caregivers and charge. This is due to their mental development being in a particular case of not being able to progress as it should be at their age. This care giving role may also be taken on by the child's extended family. Another form of childcare that is on the rise in contrast to familial caregiving is that of center-based child care. In lieu of familial care giving, these responsibilities may be given to paid caretakers, orphanages or foster homes to provide care, housing, and schooling.

Professional caregivers work within the context of a center-based care (including crèches, daycare, preschools and schools) or a home-based care (nannies or family daycare). The majority of child care institutions available require child care providers to have extensive training in first aid and be CPR certified. In addition, background checks, drug testing at all centers, and reference verification are normally a requirement. Child care can consist of advanced learning environments that include early childhood education or elementary education. "The objective of the program of daily activities should be to foster incremental developmental progress in a healthy and safe environment and should be flexible to capture the interests of the children and the individual abilities of the children." In many cases the appropriate child care provider is a teacher or person with educational background in child development, which requires a more focused training aside from the common core skills typical of a child caregiver.

As well as these licensed options, parents may also choose to find their own caregiver or arrange childcare exchanges/swaps with another family.

Read more, here.

LOCATION
421 Executive Court North
Fairfield, CA 94534-4019
(707) 863-3950

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

So what exactly is quality child care?

Quality is defined as a degree of excellence. This means not average, not “it will do” child care, but excellent child care. Bottom line, you need to feel that the child care provider you select will offer a safe and stimulating, loving environment in which your child will mentally and physically thrive.  While no one can replace you, quality child care will offer your child a stimulating, nurturing environment which should help prepare your little one for school and to reach his or her full potential.

We have prepared this Choosing Quality Child Care guide to help you evaluate and select a program that will best suit your child’s and family’s needs.

Quick points to look for in your search

  • A well-trained, consistent caregiver.
  • A setting that keeps your child safe and healthy.
  • An environment that enhances your child’s physical, mental, emotional, and social growth.
LOCATION
421 Executive Court North
Fairfield, CA 94534-4019
(707) 863-3950

Saturday, April 16, 2022

Happy Easter From Solano Family and Children's Services

 



Solano Family and Children’s Services (SFCS) is an organization dedicated to enriching children’s lives through support and services to families and child care providers.

SFCS operates on a non-discriminatory basis, giving equal access to services without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, gender, ethnic group identification, age, religion, mental or physical disability, or on the basis of a person’s association with person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Employment Opportunities

Solano Family & Children’s Services is a rewarding place to work with flexible, family-friendly policies and a diverse workforce. We offer benefit plans with medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts for dependent care and health expenses; and a 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan where contributions are tax-deferred. New, full-time employees accrue ten days of vacation leave, ten days sick leave, and are given ten paid holidays per year.

We currently have openings for the following:

  • Administrative Assistant
  • Development Screener
  • Communications Specialist
Visit our website for details and application process.

Sunday, April 10, 2022

Funny Bunny Oatmeal

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup instant oats  
  • 1/4 teaspoon each cinnamon and vanilla 
  • 2/3 of a small banana
  • Chocolate syrup (healthier option: honey)
  • 3/4 cup fat free milk 
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 2 fresh blueberries
  • 1/2 of a small strawberry

Instructions:

In a microwave safe bowl, stir together oats, milk, cinnamon, vanilla and brown sugar. Microwave on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute and stir. Cut banana in half. From one half, cut two thick coin slices and place them in the upper third of the oatmeal bowl, side by side, to make the eyes. Top each with one blueberry. Slice the other half lengthwise and place to create the ears. Use the strawberry to make the nose, and then drizzle chocolate, if desired, to make a mouth and whisk.

Article Source: CarolinaCountry

Thursday, April 7, 2022

Grow an Easter Egg Science Experiment

This Easter science experiment allows kids to grow their own crystals that will actually decorate a pretty egg. This activity is fun for parents, teacher, and homeschoolers alike! Making crystals with borax is super duper easy! It only takes a couple simple materials and 1 day to grow your own crystals! This fun project is simple so kids can enjoy the wonder of exploring and trying new things. In this fun Easter activity you will combine science, engineering, and art for a truly educational and fun learning activity!  WARNING: These crystalized eggs are not edible. 

Materials:

  • pipe cleaners in assorted colors (yellow, blue, green, pink, etc.)
  • 3 cups of boiling water
  • 9 Tablespoons Borax (found with laundry detergent)
  • large jar
  • string
  • popsicle stick
  • yarn to hang the pipe cleaners

Instructions: 

The first step is to form an egg shape out of your pipe cleaners. Make as many as you like, just remember they each need a jar to soak in to create crystals. If you put two to a jar the crystals will end up joining the two eggs together. Now cut some pipe cleaners in half and use them to create the accents to decorate your egg. You may make them wavy, zig zag, straight, or wiggly. Just loop the small pipe cleaner around the side of the egg to hold in place. Now boil 3 cups of water in the microwave or in a saucepan.  Carefully mix in 9 Tablespoons of Borax (found in the laundry detergent aisle) and stir until dissolved.  Pour the hot mixture into a jar that is large enough to fit the egg pipe cleaner. Carefully lower the pipe cleaner rainbow into the solution so it is hanging in the solution but, is not touching sides or bottom using a string attached to the top of the egg. The borax and water solution must cover the entire egg craft. Now wrap end around a craft stick and set on top of the jar to hold in place. Resist the urge to check on or touch the jar for 24 hours. Now carefully pull out the beautifully decorated Easter eggs. Can you see all the pretty borax crystals that have formed! Allow the egg to dry on top of the jar or on a cardboard box. Then hang and enjoy this pretty easter craft for kids. 

Article Source: 123 Homeschool 4 Me


Monday, April 4, 2022

Parent Cafe

Solano County parents, foster parents, grandparents, child care providers, aunts, uncles, teachers, etc.

About this event:

If you play a parent role to a child in your life then the Parent Café is the place for you.

Join us for an hour and a half of community, conversations, and engagement with fellow parents in Solano County. Topics change monthly and giveaways are available for Solano County Participants.

Date and time:

Thu, April 14, 2022
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM CDT

Location:

Online event

REGISTRATION - EVENTBRITE

Friday, April 1, 2022

Becoming a Licensed Child Care Provider-Informational Meeting

Make a world of difference from your home

Solano County needs you! You can become a licensed family child care provider, and start your own business out of your home!

Who needs a license to care for children?

People who care for children from more than one family and who are not relatives of the child in care need to be licensed.

What does it mean to be a licensed family child care provider?

Join us during this free informational meeting, where we will answer your questions.

EVENTBRITE - Multiple dates available