Growing together this July!
As we welcome July, our centres are embracing everything that makes summer so special with outdoor learning, community connections, celebrations, and plenty of opportunities for children to explore the world around them. Across Network, our educators continue to create meaningful experiences that inspire curiosity, belonging, and joy.
Thank you to all of our families and staff for making our centres such vibrant places to learn and grow!
Celebrating Canadian Spirit & the FIFA World Cup
Canadian traditions and the global celebration of the FIFA World Cup.
Leading up to Canada Day, children participated in activities that celebrated our country's diversity, culture, and natural beauty. Through music, art, storytelling, and outdoor experiences, they learned about what makes Canada such a unique and welcoming place to call home.
With the FIFA World Cup capturing attention around the world, many classrooms also joined in the excitement by learning about different countries, flags, languages, and traditions represented in the tournament. Children enjoyed friendly soccer-inspired games, created international artwork, and discovered how sport brings people together across cultures. These experiences encouraged teamwork, inclusion, and an appreciation for our diverse global community.
Family Garden Day at Just Kids
A heartfelt thank you goes out to the wonderful families at Just Kids who joined us for our Family Garden Day!
Parents generously volunteered their time to help plant flowers, herbs, and greenery, spread fresh mulch, and even install wasp nest decoys to help create a safe and welcoming outdoor environment for everyone.
In the coming weeks, beautiful garden mobiles will also be added, bringing gentle movement and colour to the space while creating a calm, engaging environment for children to enjoy.
Most importantly, our children were fully engaged throughout the experience by digging, planting, watering, asking questions, and taking pride in helping care for their outdoor classroom. These shared experiences strengthen our sense of community while fostering a lifelong appreciation for nature and environmental stewardship.
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the day such a success!
Growing Our Garden Programs
Exciting things are happening across Network!
Raised garden beds are now being delivered to participating centres, marking an exciting milestone for our outdoor learning initiatives. Whether centres are launching a new gardening program or expanding an existing one, these new spaces will provide endless opportunities for children to connect with nature through hands-on learning.
To support this initiative, our Growers Club has developed a comprehensive pictorial planting guide featuring three exciting garden themes:
- Sensoriums – inviting children to explore through touch, smell, sight, and sound.
- Pollinator Patches – creating habitats that attract bees, butterflies, and other important pollinators while teaching children about ecosystems.
- Food Forests – growing edible plants that encourage children to learn where food comes from while promoting healthy eating and environmental responsibility.
Each guide includes planting suggestions and sample layouts to help centres make the most of their new garden spaces. While plant selections may vary slightly depending on availability, every garden will follow the same inspiring vision of creating engaging, child-centred outdoor environments.
We look forward to seeing these beautiful gardens grow throughout the summer and watching our children learn alongside them.
Beat the Heat: Summer & Water Safety
Summer brings plenty of opportunities for outdoor play and adventure, but it's also important to stay safe during periods of extreme heat. At Network Child Care Services, the health and well-being of our children is always our top priority. During hot weather and Heat Warning or Heat Alert days, our educators take extra precautions to keep children safe while still enjoying the outdoors.
Staying Cool During Extreme Heat
When temperatures rise, here are a few simple ways families can help children stay comfortable and safe:
- Encourage children to drink water frequently throughout the day, even before they feel thirsty.
- Dress children in lightweight, light-coloured clothing and provide a wide-brimmed hat for added sun protection.
- Spend time in shaded areas whenever possible and limit strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.
- Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) before outdoor play and reapply as needed.
- Keep cool by enjoying indoor activities, air-conditioned spaces, water play, or cool cloths on especially hot days.
Our educators continuously monitor weather conditions and adjust outdoor schedules as needed to ensure children remain safe and comfortable.
Water & Swimming Safety
Whether you're visiting a pool, splash pad, beach, or cottage this summer, water safety should always come first.
Remember these important tips:
- Never leave children unattended near water, not even for a moment.
- Stay within arm's reach of young children whenever they are in or around water.
- Choose supervised swimming areas whenever possible and obey all posted safety signs.
- Remember that inflatable toys and water wings are not life-saving devices.
- Ensure children wear a properly fitted life jacket or personal flotation device when boating or participating in water activities.
- Put phones and other distractions away so your full attention stays on children in and around the water.
By working together, we can help ensure everyone enjoys a fun, safe, and memorable summer.
Wishing all of our Network families a happy, healthy, and safe July!
Looking Ahead
Summer is filled with opportunities for adventure, discovery, and connection. Whether children are exploring nature, celebrating different cultures, caring for gardens, or simply enjoying time outdoors with friends, every experience helps build confidence, curiosity, and lasting memories.
Thank you to our dedicated educators, supportive families, and incredible children for making our Network community such a wonderful place to learn and grow.
We wish everyone a safe, happy, and sunshine-filled July!
