*Week of the Young Child* (April 13 - April 19, 2008)

–- As a part of the national observance of the *Week of the Young Child* (from April 13 to April 19, 2008), The Goddard School, at 255 Route 70, is honoring young children and all the teachers who make a difference in children’s lives. The Whitesville preschool and childcare center will host a week-long celebration which finishes with a special festival for its children on April 18th.

The week-long celebration includes events such as *Movie-Star Day* on Monday, *Pajama Day* on Tuesday, *Luau Day* on Wednesday, *Unbirthday Party Day* on Thursday, and ends with the *Children’s Festival* on Friday. At the festival, each class will provide an outdoor activity station for all the other children in the school. There will also be an obstacle course moon-bounce for all the children, as well as a Hot-Dog cart, juice and snack for their lunch.

“All young children need and deserve high-quality early learning experiences that will prepare them for life, and we have the opportunity to do our part to help”, says Dana Chibbaro (CQ), owner and operator of the facility. “Week of the Young Child (WOYC) is held each year to honor young children, and to bring attention to public policies that affect children’s lives.”

Working families need child care and supportive employer policies to be able to meet the needs of their young children throughout the day:

• In the United States, the majority of mothers (with children under age 18) work, including 59 percent of those with infants and 74 percent of those with school-aged children.
• Approximately 13 million infants, toddlers, and preschool children are regularly in non-parental care in the United States, including 45 percent of children younger than one year.

Federal, state and local government, communities, parents, and the private sector should share in the responsibility of ensuring the well-being of children and their families. We can invest now in our children and families and promote a nation of healthy, achieving children and more stable families.