The Sandcastle Times-March 2026

A message from Holly Bevilacqua, COO

Happy Anniversary, Carelot! 🎉

Wow! It’s incredible to celebrate 28 years of Carelot and reflect on the journey that has brought us here — even if a blizzard decided to crash our birthday celebration this year! ❄️

For 28 years, Carelot has been built on resilience, heart, and an unwavering commitment to children and families. Storms may change our plans, but they never change our purpose.

We are deeply grateful for our dedicated staff and amazing families who continue to make Carelot the nurturing, supportive place it is today. One of the greatest joys is seeing former students return as employees — a true testament to the legacy and strong foundations we’ve built together.

Here’s to 28 years of learning, growing, and weathering every storm — together. 💙🏰

March Highlights & Exciting Events!

🍀 St. Patrick’s Day Fun – Get ready for some mischief on March 17th as "Lucky the Leprechaun" makes his annual visit! Don’t forget to wear green and join in on the festive fun.

🎨 Youth Art Month – March is all about creativity! Our classrooms will explore different artists, techniques, and mediums as they prepare for our exciting Art Show in April, held during the Week of the Young Child.

☀️ Summer Camp 2026 – Spring is in the air, and summer is just around the corner! Our camp programs are gearing up for an exciting season with themed weeks, field trips, and engaging programming to keep our campers active and inspired. Spots fill up fast, so stay tuned for more details!

The Power of Routines in a Child’s Life

To adults, routines may seem like just another part of daily life, but for children, they provide a sense of security, stability, and confidence. Predictable routines help children feel safe, foster independence, and support emotional regulation.

At Carelot, we prioritize consistent schedules and structured environments to help children thrive. Knowing what to expect and what’s expected of them builds a strong foundation for growth and development. Whether it’s morning rituals, mealtimes, or bedtime, routines help set children up for success.

As always, your feedback is invaluable to us! If you have any suggestions or ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at holly@carelot.net. Your input helps us continue improving and providing the best possible experience for our families.

Thank you for being a part of the Carelot family, where every milestone is cherished, and every day is an opportunity for growth and discovery.

Warmly,
Holly & The Carelot Team

Click here and tell us how we are doing!

Winter weather doesn’t stop our learning — it just changes the classroom! ❄️

Snowy days are the perfect opportunity for outdoor learning and fresh air fun! ❄️
Please remember to send your child in with snow boots, warm coats, hats, mittens, and winter-appropriate outdoor clothing each day. Having proper gear allows children to safely explore the snow, enjoy hands-on winter experiences, and benefit from daily outdoor play — even in chilly weather.

Fresh air and active play are an important part of our day, helping children build strength, confidence, and a love for the outdoors. Thank you for helping us make winter exploration safe, cozy, and fun for everyone! 💙🏰

Program Hours

We would like to kindly remind our families of our center’s official operating hours. Due to licensing regulations and staffing constraints, we are unable to accommodate children before our designated opening time or after our scheduled closing time.

For example, if our center closes at 5:30 PM, we ask that you plan accordingly to ensure your child is picked up and you have exited the premises by 5:30 PM.

Additionally, many of our staff members have families, second jobs, or academic commitments. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation in respecting their time. Your support allows us to maintain a structured, high-quality environment for all children and families.

Contracted Hours

We kindly remind families that our staffing allocations are based on the contracted hours agreed upon, typically structured around a 9 ½ hour day. Maintaining appropriate staffing levels is essential to ensuring the highest quality of care and education for your child.

If you need to adjust your contracted hours or anticipate exceeding the agreed-upon time, please communicate with your program’s site manager or director in advance. All changes must be arranged beforehand to allow us to effectively plan for staffing and maintain a seamless experience for all children.

We greatly appreciate your understanding and cooperation in adhering to these procedures, as they play a vital role in the smooth operation of our programs and the quality of care we provide.

Calendar of Events- Click Here!

Check out all the exciting events happening at Carelot!

Listening ears on, hands in laps, and little voices ready to share — building confidence, friendships, and classroom community one moment at a time. 💙🏰

Teamwork in action as our friends problem-solve, communicate, and build together — one piece at a time!

Gross motor snow play is an excellent way for children to develop coordination, strength, and balance.

Just a few reminders:

Attendance

If your child is going to be absent or late, we ask that you call the center by 9am. This allows our teachers to be prepared for their day and allows for easier transitions or curriculum changes.

Bedding

We kindly ask for your assistance in meeting state requirements by ensuring that your child’s bedding is placed on their own cot and stored inside a pillowcase or cloth bag (target bags are great).

Your cooperation in following these guidelines is greatly appreciated and helps us maintain a safe and organized environment for all children.

Handwashing: Help us out by washing your child’s hands each day when you drop them off to help eliminate the spread of germs.

8 Sleep Tips for Every Child By Elizabeth Pantley, author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution

Up to 70% of children under age five have sleep problems. Sleep issues are complicated and have many causes. They’re hard to deal with because when children aren’t sleeping, parents aren’t sleeping, and that lack of sleep affects every minute of every day for every person in the family because lack of sleep isn’t just about being tired. Sleep has a role in everything -- dawdling, temper tantrums, hyperactivity, growth, health, and even learning to tie his shoes and recite the ABCs. Sleep affects everything.

The following ideas are of value to almost any sleeper, of any age. These tips can bring improvement not only in your child’s sleep, but also in her daytime mood and last, but not least – improvements in your own sleep and outlook as well.

Maintain a consistent bedtime and awaking time.
Your child’s biological clock has a strong influence on her wakefulness and sleepiness. When you establish a set time for bedtime and wake up time you "set" your child’s clock so that it functions smoothly.
Aim for an early bedtime. Young children respond best with a bedtime between 6:30 and 7:30 P.M. Most children will sleep better and longer when they go to bed early.
Encourage regular daily naps.
Daily naps are important. An energetic child can find it difficult to go through the day without a rest break. A nap-less child will often wake up cheerful and become progressively fussier or hyper-alert as the day goes on. Also, the length and quality of naps affects night sleep – good naps equal better night sleep.
Set your child’s biological clock.
Take advantage of your child’s biology so that he’s actually tired when bedtime arrives. Darkness causes an increase in the release of the body’s sleep hormone -- the biological "stop" button. You can align your child’s sleepiness with bedtime by dimming the lights during the hour before bedtime.
Exposing your child to morning light is pushing the "go" button in her brain — one that says, "Time to wake up and be active." So keep your mornings bright!
Develop a consistent bedtime routine.
Routines create security. A consistent, peaceful bedtime routine allows your child to transition from the motion of the day to the tranquil state of sleep.
An organized routine helps you coordinate the specifics: bath, pajamas, tooth-brushing. It helps you to function on auto-pilot at the time when you are most tired and least creative.
Create a cozy sleep environment.
Where your child sleeps can be a key to quality sleep. Make certain the mattress is comfortable, the blankets are warm, the room temperature is right, pajamas are comfy, and the bedroom is welcoming.
Provide the right nutrition.
Foods can affect energy level and sleepiness. Carbohydrates can have a calming effect on the body, while foods high in protein or sugar generate alertness, particularly when eaten alone. A few ideas for pre-bed snacks are: whole wheat toast and cheese, bagel and peanut butter, oatmeal with bananas, or yogurt and low-sugar granola.
Vitamin deficiencies due to unhealthy food choices can affect a child’s sleep. Provide your child with a daily assortment of healthy foods.
Help your child to be healthy and fit.
Many children don’t get enough daily physical activity. Too much TV watching and a lack of activity prevents good sleep. Children who get ample daily exercise fall asleep more quickly, sleep better, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling refreshed.
Avoid activity in the hour before bedtime though, since exercise is stimulating – they’ll be jumping on the bed instead of sleeping in it!
Teach your child how to relax.
Many children get in bed but aren’t sure what to do when they get there! It can help to follow a soothing pre-bed routine that creates sleepiness. A good pre-bed ritual is story time. A child who is listening to a parent read a book or tell a tale will tend to lie still and listen. This quiet stillness allows him to become sleepy.

Work with these eight ideas and you’ll see improvements in your child’s sleep, and yours too.

Excerpted with permission by McGraw-Hill Publishing from The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers & Preschoolers (McGraw-Hill 2005) http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth

Importance of Story time- Click Here to learn more!

March Question of the month: "What is one change or addition you would like to see in our program that would enhance your child’s experience? ”

February Winner:

Congratulations to: Ingrid- Zoe's Mom in East Lyme for submitting an answer to last month's question. They will receive a $25 tuition credit!

It's easy to win by just emailing us an answer! $25 tuition credit!

It's easy to win by clicking below and submitting your answer!

Thanks for helping us make our programs better! Without everyone’s input, we are not able to effectively assess how our programs are doing! We appreciate you taking the time to help us assess our policies, procedures, curriculum, and more!

Last month's answers- Thank you!!!!

What is one thing that makes Carelot special to your family, and how do you feel supported by our community?

I have such peace of mind that my toddler enjoys going to daycare each day and is learning so much from his teachers.
Carelot is basically like family. They don’t just have a job, they genuinely care about the kids and the families. We love the Killingly Squad. Even the new teachers have been amazing.
The communication between parents and classroom.
Carelot is such a special place that has supported both of our children, especially the teachers at Waterford and East Lyme. The updates, pictures and communication support our children as they grow
As new parents, we were nervous for our son to start daycare. The whole team at Carelot has been absolutely wonderful and put our hearts at ease. All of the staff in his classroom are kind, friendly, and communicative, making mom and dad feel so much better knowing our baby is in safe and caring hands! This has been such a milestone in our parenting and we can’t express how grateful we are for the smooth transition into daycare with Carelot’s support.
I have such peace of mind that my son enjoys going to daycare every day. He loves talking about his friends and teachers, so I know he’s being treated with respect and having fun while I’m not there.
The staff are very friendly and doing their best to accommodate the needs of my child. They always check in and offer a supportive ear when needed. The only reason I haven’t looked elsewhere for childcare closer to me is because of the bond my child has with the staff. He feels safe there which also makes it easier to drop off my child in the morning.
the staff who are like family/our village !

ANSWER the Question of the month - CLICK HERE

All around Carelot……….

February was filled with love, kindness, and friendship at Carelot! 💕 The children explored what it means to care for others, use kind words, and build strong friendships. We encourage you to continue these conversations at home and celebrate the many ways your child shows love and kindness each day.

At Carelot, we focus on nurturing the whole child — socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. Guided by the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards (CT ELDS), our lesson plans are thoughtfully designed to meet each child where they are and help them grow. We also utilize Focused Portfolios and the CT DOTS program to monitor progress and ensure every child is building a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Our Preschool Curriculum aligns with state standards and is enriched with hands-on, engaging experiences that encourage children to explore, discover, and thrive.

We are so proud to teach, support, and nurture your children every day. Thank you for being such an important part of the Carelot family! 💙🏰

Summer camp is just around the corner and we are now accepting registrations. Sign up early to reserve your spot for a fun filled and educational summer!