The Sandcastle Times- Nov. 2025

As the leaves fall and the weather turns cooler, our thoughts naturally shift toward the upcoming holiday season. Family traditions create cherished memories, so let’s make this time special together!

Consider cozy activities like apple picking, baking pies, playing outside, or taking a nature hike with your children. These moments offer wonderful opportunities to talk about sharing and caring—the true spirit of Thanksgiving.

At Carelot, we encourage families to teach children the joy of giving. Whether it’s donating to a soup kitchen, supporting a local charity, or joining our Food Drive, Toy Drive and Giving Tree in December, these experiences help cultivate compassion and gratitude in our little ones.

Keep an eye out for turkey feathers coming home soon! We invite your family to decorate them with creativity and return them to school so we can proudly display them on our big Family Turkey.

We look forward to celebrating a joyful and heartwarming holiday season with all of you. Thank you for making Carelot such a special place.
Wishing our families a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with love, laughter, and gratitude!

🩺 Flu Shot Reminder

It’s that time of year! As per Connecticut State Law, all children attending childcare who are between 6 and 59 months old must receive a seasonal flu vaccine by December 31, 2025.
If your child turns 6 months old after December 31st, they will need to receive the vaccine once they reach that age.
Please provide documentation to the office once your child has received the vaccine. Thank you for helping us keep everyone healthy this season!

📞 Update Your Information

Please remember to notify the office of any changes to your phone numbers, employment, addresses, or emergency contacts. You can update information by going to our Forms page on the Carelot Website.
Accurate records help us reach you quickly in case of an emergency and ensure your child’s teachers have the most up-to-date information.

🥪 Lunch Guidelines

For children staying at the center during lunchtime, please send a nutritious and balanced lunch.
Our centers have a microwave available for heating items — just be sure to pack food in non-breakable, microwavable containers.
Due to state licensing regulations, Carelot staff cannot prepare food for your child.
Please remember to label all lunch items with your child’s name and the date.

Need inspiration? Ask your child’s teacher or director for fun and healthy lunch ideas!

Don't forget to submit your answers! You will have the chance to win a $25 tuition credit on your account. It's easy to win just by submitting your answer. Click the link below to begin!

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 your taking the time to help us assess our policies, procedures, curriculum, and more!

CONGRATULATIONS to Shai , Mom to Colbie in East Lyme! You have won a $25 tuition credit!

Check out these fun ideas for Fall from other families

Upcoming events:

Giving Tree Applications are now being accepted!

Do you need assistance or do you know of a family in need of assistance this holiday season?

Click on the application below for our annual giving tree! This program provides gifts and food to a family to make their holiday one to remember! The Committee will be choosing only 6 families this year.

The deadline for applications is November 10th at 5 pm! Unfortunately, applications received after this deadline cannot be accepted.

Thanks for all of your continued support! We are always looking for new ideas for fundraisers if you have an idea drop by the office and share it with us. Helping out with committees is easy, there are many ways to help!

🏫 CLUBHOUSE 2025–2026!

When school is out, Clubhouse is in!
Our after-school programs are buzzing with fun and learning! The children are enjoying a wide variety of activities — from homework help and team-building games to arts and crafts, gross motor challenges, and creative play. Each afternoon provides the perfect balance of structure, friendship, and fun to wrap up the school day!

🌟 CENTER NEWS

Our centers are now in full swing as we move into the heart of the school year!

November Curriculum: Little Hands, Big Hearts – A Month of Thankfulness

This month, the children will explore themes centered around gratitude, kindness, and connection.
Learning experiences will include:

• 👃 Our Senses – discovering the world through sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell

• 💕 Family & Friends – understanding love and support

• 🌎 The Beauty of Nature – appreciating the world around us

• 🎁 Giving & Kindness – learning the joy of helping others

Each day, our teachers plan hands-on lessons that meet each child where they are. Through thoughtful observation and intentional teaching, children grow at their own pace while developing new skills and confidence.

📘 Portfolios & Assessment in Our Centers

At Carelot, our teachers use a documentation process aligned with the CT Early Learning and Development Standards (CT ELDS) and the DOTS system to record your child’s growth and achievements.

Using photos, anecdotes, and work samples, teachers create a visual story of each child’s development — a celebration of progress and individuality.

Children are assessed across seven areas of growth, following NAEYC Standard 4:

1. Thinking, Reasoning, and Problem Solving

2. Emotional and Social Competency

3. Language and Communication

4. Gross Motor Development

5. Fine Motor Development

6. Reading and Writing Development

7. Creative Development

Portfolios are updated in fall and spring and remain in your child’s classroom binder while enrolled. When your child moves on, their portfolio becomes a special keepsake — a wonderful reminder of their early learning journey.

📅 Save the Date!

Parent–Teacher Conferences: January 2026
Stay tuned for more information about scheduling your conference — a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your child’s growth and accomplishments!

"Building Strong Foundations for a Lifetime of Learning"

Providing education to Children ages 3 months to 12 years!

Email: adminassist@carelot.net
Website: www.carelot.net
Location: 315 Flanders Road, East Lyme, CT, United States
Phone: 860-739-1993
Facebook: facebook.com/carelotctr