Posts by Honey Bear Learning Center, INC.
Honey Bear rallies with programs across the State to push for more investments in Early Childhood
At rallies across the state Wednesday—including in Stamford, Bridgeport and Stratford—the message to lawmakers was the same: fund child care. “We really need the state to invest in early childhood. Right now, things are failing,” said Catherine Vanicky, director of Honey Bear Learning Center in Stratford. “The child care system is completely broken,” added Katherine…
Read MoreHoney Bear Director, Cathie Vanicky, earns Charter Oak Employer of the Year Award!
Catherine Vanicky stands proudly with her Assistant Director, her family, Charter Oak President Ed Klonoski, and Charter Oak State College Foundation President Joyce Petrella.Left to Right: Richard Vanicky (husband), Aleksey Vanicky (son), Ed Klonoski, Catherine Vanicky (award recipient), Jacqueline Valle (award nominator), Joyce Petrella, Bridget McLoughlin (daughter), Joseph McLoughlin (son)
Read MoreFamily Fun Day with The Amazing Andy
Honey Bear’s annual Family Fun Day celebration kicked off with a magic show from The Amazing Andy. Amazing Andy and his “pink pepper pickled peanuts with ketchup on top” combine mesmerizing magic tricks and highly skilled talents into a hilarious slapstick style show. The children squeal and shout with glee as he tricks them into…
Read MoreHoney Bear recognized as a “Breastfeeding Friendly” worksite and child care by CT NAP SACC program
Below is a list of breastfeeding related resources (with links) for families: Our program is committed to supporting families and staff on their breastfeeding journey. Mothers are invited to breastfeed on site (within program hours) and/or may provide breast milk for their infant. Our breastfeeding lounge is located on the second floor of the Infant…
Read MoreHoney Bear contributes to round table discussion with Governor and OEC Commissioner
Director, Catherine Vanicky, and Program Coordinator, Jackie Valle, pose for a photo at the end of their zoom meeting with Governor Ned Lamont, OEC Commissioner Beth Bye, and Merrill Gay, Executive Director at Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance. Cathie and Jackie discussed the staffing crisis currently facing the Early Childhood community and advocated for additional funding…
Read MoreHoney Bear hosts forum with Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro about expanding Care4Kids
On Monday morning, a group of 20 parents and advocates meet with Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro at Honey Bear Learning Center in Stratford. They celebrated the first substantial Care4Kids increase in payments to child care centers in 17 years. That rate increase was made possible by additional CCDBG funds, championed by Congresswoman DeLauro in the last…
Read MoreStratford Health Department uses grant money to sponsor garden at Honey Bear
STRATFORD — The Stratford Health Department launched a daycare gardening program this summer using funds from a Stratford Rotary Club grant. The health department was awarded $5,800 in March from the Community Impact Grant program, which is given to organizations with goals to enhance the community. Eight Stratford daycare centers that had completed a program…
Read MoreMarch Rally results: Families now pay less, and programs paid more
After being stuck in neutral for years, the reimbursement rate for children served under the Care 4 Kids [Connecticut’s child care subsidy] program is going up. In Southwestern Connecticut, the reimbursement rate for infant-toddler care will increase from $221 to $300 a week and the preschool rate will increase from $175 to $210 a week.…
Read MoreHoney Bear testifies in Hartford to advocate for higher teacher wages
Honey Bear Director, Cathie Vanicky, and Program Coordinator, Jacqueline Valle, travel to Hartford to testify for increased teacher wages to the Education Committee on Early Childhood. They visited the offices of House Majority Leaders to present their testimony and left their written testimony with those not in their offices.
Read MoreHoney Bear helps advocate for better [teacher] pay, and family affordability
Jacqueline Valle’s love for early childhood education began in the basement of Good Shepherd Christian Church on Hancock Avenue in Bridgeport. Something about working with small children in a Bible study class gave the city teen a warm feeling. By the time she was 17, Valle was working part time in the infant and toddler…
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