Parenting , Childcare Resources Available LOU ANN GOOD Lancaster Farming Staff LEES PORT (Berks Co.) Sue Gichero understands chil dren. She knows what child care providers should offer to provide a healthy environment for chil dren. She knows about govern ment regulations for childcare providers and the many re sources available to make care giving easier and happier. As a mother of two sons, Tom, 18, and Joe, 20, and a former childcare administrator, Gichero has worked 20 years in childcare. Recently Gichero was hired by Berks County Penn State Exten sion Office, Lees port, to train childcare providers, 4-H clubs’ clothing and textile leaders, and assist in family living pro graming. Gichero will assist Fay Strick ler, family and consumer science agent, in providing intergenera tion activities and parenting pro grams. Strickler handles food, nutrition, parenting, childcare, health, consumer, family, and home management topics. Strickler said that when she joined extension services in 1972, two full-time people were em ployed until funding was no longer available. Strickler is now president-elect of Epsilon Sigma Phi, a coopera tive extension professional or ganization that requires traveling nationwide. “I’m looking forward to the team effort in meeting the many needs of the extension,” Gichero said. “There is a growing need for quality care giving,” Gichero said. To fill this need, Gichero will offer on-site training and hold workshops for parents and care givers. The state requires caregivers to complete six hours of training annually. There are many places to receive additional training, but Gichero believes extension offers the best. She said, “I’m excited that our resources are research-based from Penn State. Our informa tion is current and accurate.” Gichero said that caregivers are often overloaded with work and have little time to keep up dated on resources and informa tion that make their jobs easier. “I don’t thing people under stand the difficult responsibility of caring for children,” she said. Childcare workers are on the low end of financial salaries when compared to other occupa tions. “The problem is that staff sal aries are based on what parents can afford to pay.” Parents, she said, too often se lect a childcare provider based on cost rather than what is best for the child. Preschool care va ries from $B5-$125 per week. In fant care is higher, Gichero said. “It’s important to understand the setting you put your child in. Take time to know where your child is spending each day,” Gi chero said. Many parents receive subsi dized child care. Although some parents need only pay $5-$l5 a week, they sometimes do not pay their amount. This creates a di lemma for the childcare provid er. Unfortunately if parents refuse to pay their fee, a provider is forced to terminate services. “If you truly care about chil dren, you don’t want to see chil- y CLOSED SUNDAYS. HEW YEAR, jj EASTER MONDAY, ASCENSION DAY, WHIT MONDAY, OCT. 11, THANKSGIVING, flHltmf CHRISTMAS & DECEMBER 26TH FISHER’S FURNITURE. INC. NEW AND USED FURNITURE USED COAL & WOOD HEATERS COUNTRY FURNITURE & ANTIQUES BUS. HRS. BOX 57 MON.-THURS. 8-5 1129 GEORGETOWN RD. FBI. 8-8, SAT. 8-12 BART. PA 17503 NEED YOUR FARM BUILDINGS PAINTED? Let us give you a price! Write: Daniel’s Painting 637-A Georgetown Rd. Ronks, PA 17572 (or leave message) (717) 687-8262 Spray on and Brush in Painting Sue Gichero, left, and Fay Strickler review materials suitable for teaching pre schoolers science activities. The books, games, puzzles, tapes and even a creature catcher help teach children about insects. dren moved from one childcare provider to another. Ideally chil dren should stay with the same childcare provider.” The extension not only offers services to childcare providers but also to parents. In fact, the extension has many activities such as puppets, games, and books for parents to borrow. Ma terials are classified. If a parent or childcare provider wants to teach preschoolers math skills, materials are available, from basic activities such as sorting buttons according to color and shape to matching numerals placed on a match box car to the garage where the car should be parked. The extension also has many resource books avail able as a lending library for parents and childcare pro viders. “We like to encourage more hands-on learning rather than rote memoriza tion,” Gichero said. For this reason, she has a pleth ora of ideas to incorporate learning into everyday ac tivities. For example, par ents can encourage chil- dren to sort silverware. “Play is work for chil dren. That’s how they learn,” Gichero said of the need to use everyday expe riences as learning. “Children lead hurried lives. Slow down and enjoy the moment,” Gichero ad vises parents. “Kids are in volved in so many activities that they can become as stressed as parents. Accept children as they are; their success should not be at the expense of self.” Stress learning rather than performance. Model joy in learning. Gichero said, “When a child makes Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 24,2001-B7 f i a mistake, respond with that’s OK, that’s how we learn.” Gichero said that she is amazed that many parents tend to give children too much con trol. “I think parents feel guilty be- Potatoes For Every Occasion (Continued from Page B 6) ■ ions, minced 1 teaspoon parsley flakes 1 cup shredded sharp process cheese Place French fries in shallow skillet, pour dressing over, toss ing to coat potatoes evenly. Sprinkle with onion and parsley flakes. Heat, turning as needed until browned slightly. When po tatoes are heated throughly, place in bowl, top with cheese, toss lightly, and serve at once. Makes 6 servings. CHEDDAR POTATO SOUP 4Vi cups milk 2 cups water 1 cup chopped ham 1 medium onion, chopped Salt and pepper 1 small carrot, shredded 1 potato, cubed Vi stalk celery, sliced 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded Cook ingredients together ex cept cheese until vegetables are tender. Season and thicken with flour or cornstarch if desired. When ready to serve, add cheese and stir until melted. Serves 8. Elizabeth Young Lancaster Co. Dairy Princess HONEY MUSTARD ROASTED POTATOES 4 large baking potatoes 'A cup Dijon mustard 'A cup honey Vi teaspoon crushed dried thyme leaves Salt and pepper to taste Peel potatoes and cut each into 6-8 pieces. Cover potatoes with salted water in large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook potatoes 12-1 S min utes or until just tender. Drain. Combine mustard, honey, and thyme in small bowl. Toss pota toes with honey-thyme mustard in large bowl until evenly coated. Arrange potatoes on foil-lined I Jf ' * cause they haven’t been with their children all day. Some things should not be negotiable. If it’s cold outside, a child must wear a coat. Yet some parents (Turn to Page B 9) baking sheet coated with non stick cooking spray. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until potatoes begin to brown around edges. Season to taste with salt and pepper. SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE 1 tall can sweet potatoes or 3 large fresh ones, cooked 2 eggs Vi cup butter, softened Yt cup sugar Y* cup milk Betty Biehl Mertztown Mash cooked potatoes. Mix in remaining ingredients and put into oiled casserole dish. Topping: Vi cup butter, melted Vi cup brown sugar Pour mixture over top of sweet potatoes. Bake at 350 de grees for 45 minutes. Fifteen minutes before finished baking, sprinkle the remaining mixture on top. Vz cup cornflakes Vi cup pecans, chopped in blender until coarse Finish baking 15 minutes. Ivamae Love East Waterford POTATO SALAD 10 medium potatoes, partially cooked in skins, cooled, cubed 1 pound bacon, fried, crum bled 6 hard-cooked eggs, cubed 2 cups mayonnaise Vi pound grated sharp cheese (sprinkle over top) 2 small onions, chopped finely Salt and pepper to taste Mix together ingredients. Bake uncovered in 9x13-inch long pan at 325 degrees for 45 minutes. Casserole can be assembled and baked the day before then heated to serve. Or prepare ingredients individually the day before and assemble when ready to bake. Renee Blatt American Honey Queen Ivatnae Love East Waterford
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