GMVCC is part of the King County Play & Learn Network, coordinated by Child Care Resources. The King County Play & Learn Network supports our Play & Learn Toddler Time and Co-op Preschool programs in several ways including facilitator training and curriculum development. We strive to support parents as their children’s first caregivers and give them the opportunity to connect with resources they need to nurture their child’s development. Our programs build community among parents as well as children by inviting parent involvement through an array of parent-child programs, celebrations, social and recreational programs for the whole family, and through parent and family education programs.
Toddler Time
A Play & Learn Drop In Program
Have fun in our indoor playground and meet other parents and caregivers. Children enjoy the small and large toys, bikes, art and music. Our resource table offers information and community activities for children, families and parents. Snacks and juice are provided.
Join the fun in area parks! Toddler Time in the Park will not be returning this year. We are including a list of previous parks and encourage you to call your friends to meet you there!
Read Effort to Restore Children’s Play Gains Momentum by Hilary Stout of the New York Times on January 6, 2011 and learn how play helps develop crucial skills.
Age Requirement: 0 - 5 years with parent or caregiver.
Toddler Time is a drop-in program. Parents and caregivers are responsible for supervising their children at all times.
As of January 31, 2012 Toddler Time @ Gracie Hansen will be closed due to budget cuts.
For program information and sponsorship opportunities, please email Cindy or call 425-432-1272.
| Date | Time | Location | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Tuesdays & Thursdays All year long! |
9:30 - 11:30 am |
Greater Maple Valley Community Center |
$3 per family |
Play & Learn School Readiness Co-op
Supporting parents as their children’s first teacher
Play and Learn School Readiness Co-op is a semi-structured play time for 2½ - 5 year olds with a parent or caregiver. Age-appropriate, hands-on activities promote cognitive, social, emotional and physical development, and emphasize early literacy and school readiness. Art, music, science, math and story time are offered, and facilitated parent and caregiver discussion time is included.
View photos of our Play & Learn field trip to Maple Valley Fire Station 80. Thank you to Fire fighter Drew Erickson who gave us such a wonderful tour and to the Maple Valley Reporter for publishing the photo slideshow!
Read Effort to Restore Children’s Play Gains Momentum by Hilary Stout of the New York Times on January 6, 2011 and learn how play helps develop crucial skills.
Age Requirement: 2½ - 5 years
For program information email Brandy or call 425-432-1272.
| Session | Tuesdays & Thursdays | Location | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
Play & Learn Session 1
Play & Learn Session 2
|
Sep 20, 2011 - June 19, 2012
Jan 31, 2012 - May 31, 2012
1:00 - 2:30 |
GMVCC |
Pre-registration required. 10% discount for siblings
Only $155 per session |
School Readiness Workshops
Preparing your child for school
Will your child ready for school? What will the school expect from them? What can you do to help them be ready? All these question and more will be answered during two informative workshops, regarding school readiness. The workshops are in partnership with Maple Valley Community Center, Tahoma School District and other local agencies. Both School Readiness Workshops (PDF 103 KB) are FREE!
Age Requirement: Families with preschool age children.
For more information email Brandy or call the Community Center at 425-432-1272.
| Date | Time | Event | Location | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Monday, February 6, 2012 |
Parents Night (Parents only please) |
GMVCC | FREE |
|
Monday, February 13, 2012 |
Hands-on (Parent and child) |
GMVCC | FREE |
Children's Hospital Valentine Drive
Make a child’s Valentine wish come true!
Donate valentine cards and toys to our annual Play & Learn Children’s Hospital Valentine Drive. All donations must be received at the Community Center before Tuesday, February 7, 2012.
Visit Seattle Children's Hospital to view their Toys for Patients Program Wish List.
For program information email Brandy or call 425-432-1272.
Children & Family Programs Wish List
At amazon.com
Do you prefer to shop online? The Children and Families Program has made it easier than ever to click and donate.
Browse our wish list on Amazon for music, toys, games, and educational materials that will benefit the children participating in our programs. Most items are specifically requested by the children themselves! Simply purchase any item on our list and have it shipped directly to us. Thank you for your continuous support of the children in your community.
Help the GMVCC Children & Family Program fulfill their wishes!
For program information email Cindy or call 425-432-1272.
Scholastic Book Club
Help your child succeed by reading at home!
We make it easy with the best selection of books at the most affordable prices. Plus, when you order from Scholastic Book Clubs, you help GMVCC earn FREE products for our Children & Family programs! Online Ordering makes it more convenient than ever. Create your own user name and password and when prompted, enter our one-time Class Activation Code : GRFQR
Books typically arrive about 2 weeks later and can be picked up at the Community Center. New catalogs are posted monthly.
For program information email Brandy or call 425-432-1272.
Labels for Education
Clip & save Campbell's UPCs all year long!
Help the GMVCC Children & Family Program earn free educational materials and supplies by clipping proofs of purchase from Campbell's products. Last year, thanks to the efforts our of community, we were able to redeem the labels we collected for many needed classroom supplies, including playground balls, a toy cash register, bucket stilts, hop scotch toys, 911 telephones, and a variety of manipulatives.
Bring in your labels during any Children & Family program or drop-off your your labels anytime at the GMVCC front desk.
For program information email Cindy or call 425-432-1272.
Holiday Lights at the Lodge
Family Crafts
Do not miss the largest display of holiday lights in Maple Valley when the Lake Wilderness Lodge and Arboretum turn on the twinkle. Bring your entire family and experience the thousands of lights that decorate the park.
Inside the Lodge holiday treats will be served and the Greater Maple Valley Community Center Children & Family Program will be hosting the Family Crafts Room. Holiday performances by the Maple Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra and others will take place in and around the Lodge. Venture into the cold to hear the roving carolers sing, ride the train through the twinkling Arboretum, and experience Santa’s arrival on Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety’s Holiday Fire Engine
Family Crafts Room Age Requirement: 2 ½ to 11 years.
No pre-registration required.
For more information email Cindy or visit the Holiday Lights at the Lodge webpage.
| Date | Time | Location | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
Dec 7, 2011 |
Lake Wilderness Lodge | FREE Donations accepted |
Preschool Fair
Looking for a preschool, but don’t know where to start?
Plan to attend our annual preschool fair and meet with representatives from local schools who will answer all of your questions. Fun, hands-on activities are provided for children.
Preschool Letter of Invitation (PDF 106 KB)
Preschool Directors: Please complete and return the 2012 Preschool Fair Registration (MSWord Document 78 KB) form to register your preschool. Application must be filled out and emailed to Cindy. Vendors must pre-register to reserve space.
For more program information email Cindy or call 425-432-1272.
| Date | Time | Location | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
Wednesday January 25, 2012 |
4 pm set-up for preschools only
6 -8 pm Fair
|
GMVCC |
FREE For Parents & Children Preschool Fee Schedule: $50 for table and listing in Preschool Directory $250 for Sponsorship and listing in Preschool Directory $30 for listing only in Preschool Directory |