July Newsletter 2025

Teri Ann Cox
Executive Director of The Children’s Center

Dear Center Families,

 While July is all about summer fun (and National Ice Cream Month!), The Children’s Center has heightened awareness during this time of year with a variety of safety precautions for your children. We are diligent when it comes to using sunscreen, hydrating, watching for heat stroke, and checking for ticks.  

 Sun safety is crucial with all the time we spend outside. Our teachers apply sunscreen (with your approval) at least two times a day before we go outside. We recognize just a few serious sunburns can increase a child’s risk of skin cancer later in life. We encourage you to send a hat and/or sunglasses for your child to protect their face, scalp, ears, and eyes from UV rays. To learn more about Sun Safety Facts, go to: Sun Safety Facts | Skin Cancer | CDC

 Please make sure your child has a water bottle labeled with their name. Did you know, the recommendation is for children to drink their age in 8-ounce glasses until they reach the age of 8? Our teachers do a great job reminding the kids to have some water throughout the day. We also incorporate into our meal service hydrating foods (like watermelon and cucumbers) and fun alternatives (like sugar free popsicles) during the summer months. Check out this recent post: How to Keep Kids Hydrated | Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

 Each year around this time I am reminded by our Child Care Aware friends that heat stroke continues to be the number one summer killer of children, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. In 2024, 39 children died of pediatric vehicular heatstroke – up 35% from 2023. In the span of 10 minutes, a car can heat up by 20 degrees, enough to kill a child left alone. Never leave your child in your vehicle unattended, even if the windows are open or the air conditioning is on. If you see a child alone in a locked car, call 911 to get them out immediately. For more important information and prevention tips, please see this link: Child Heatstroke Prevention: Prevent Hot Car Deaths | NHTSA

 In the past, I have written about the serious tickborne diseases that ticks carry. As such, our staff has been educated about the importance of tick checks. We are trained to promptly remove the tick using tweezers or tick removers and then save the tick in scotch tape if it has attached. Parents are notified and provided an incident report with the tick that was found. The Center does have the grounds treated for ticks throughout the spring and summer to reduce the quantity of ticks on the property. Moreover, with your signed permission, we apply insect repellent to protect your child. You have our commitment to be watchful for ticks, and we encourage you to do the same in the months ahead. For more information, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/index.html

 Here’s to a SAFE, HEALTHY, and FUN summer!

 With kind regards,
Teri Ann