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It's coming, really, it is. Spring will be here in just a few short weeks and all those cold winds and snow storms that plagued the entire U.S. this year will be history. The change of season often means breaks form school and daycare. If you're planning to take some time together to welcome the warm weather, enjoy it with these 12 ideas for celebrating the spring season with kids.

If you're lucky enough to be able to get away for spring break, consider these family vacation destinations from our Guide to Traveling with Kids.

For those who can't take time off of work when their child's school or day care is closed, remember to plan back-up child care well in advance.

Spring Will Be Here Soon originally appeared on About.com Child Care on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 10:34:54.

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Goodbye to all my loyal readers.  This is my last blog I will write as the About.com Guide to Child Care.  I have had an incredible journey the past 5 1/2 years serving as your guide, and have become a much better parent because of it.  Finding quality and affordable child care has always been a topic very near and dear to my heart, and I hope I have helped others find childcare solutions along the way.  With three kids, I have utilized the services of an in-home provider, institutional daycare, a gamut of babysitters, and even a nanny.  Mostly, I have been quite pleased with the care my children have received.  But, now, my youngest is approaching the age of 10, and this parent is turning her interests to life beyond daycare.   I look forward to continuing to utilize About.com as a reference to my next stage in life:  tweens and teens!  At the same time, the childcare care site will continue to promote helpful information for parents, so keep childcare.about.com bookmarked!   Hug those kids, and God bless! 

Goodbye and Happy Parenting! originally appeared on About.com Child Care on Friday, January 29th, 2010 at 12:35:02.

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U.S. military families now have a new resource to helpthem  locate quality child care.  Sittercity is offering a free membership, funded by the Department of Defense, to aid in searches for military caregivers.  Sittercity has more than 1 million in-depth caregiver profiles showcasing caregivers and includes reviews from families, background checks, references, and more.  It also serves as a natural resource for military families to find military subsidized daycare providers or providers who have authorized access to a military installation site. 

New Program Helps Military Families Find Child Care originally appeared on About.com Child Care on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 09:47:40.

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President Obama has proposed almost doubling the child care tax credit for middle-class families.  This is one of the latest administrative initiatives that are hoped to reassure Americans nervous about today's economy.  The proposal is one of five new recommendations from the president's Middle Class Task Force.  Obama is pushing to increase the Child and Development Care Tax Credit rate from 20 percent to 35 percent for familes who make less than $85,000 a year.  Families whose incomes are between $85,000 and $115,000 annually will see an increase in their tax credit as well, under the proposal.  Further, low-income families would receive a $1.6 billion increase in child care funding.  This is the largest annual uncrease in 20 years.  These task force recommendations, including others, will be included in President OBama's proposal 2011 fiscal year budget, which is set to be unveiled on Feb. 1.

Obama Proposes Nearly Doubling Child Care Tax Credit originally appeared on About.com Child Care on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 at 13:18:36.

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I am so very proud of how children across America have teamed with teachers, caregivers, and families to help those in need in Haiti after the horrific earthquakes and toll on human lives.  My youngest child's school is having a coin drive, where kids bring in spare change, which will then be sent to the Red Cross.  Is your family or your child's school or daycare doing something to help out here or in another way?  If so, do you mind sharing the details?

Teaching Kids Charity and Generosity originally appeared on About.com Child Care on Saturday, January 23rd, 2010 at 10:58:09.

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Children are more likely to be absent from school when certain types of air pollution increase--at least in Texas.  A new study compared data from 39 of Texas' biggest school districts.  Findings show that kids seem particularly sensitive to pollution and that it does impact their overall health--especially among those with respiratory-related illnesses such as asthma.  When pollution decreases, the absences decreased as well. Researchers understand that absences can be attributed to a number of other factors as well, and that the rate varies by seasons, but it does seem to be another indication on air quality and our children's overall health. The study was conducted by Steven Rivkin, a professor at Amherst College in Massachusetts, along with a team of coauthors.

Research Finds Link Between Air Pollution, Absences from School originally appeared on About.com Child Care on Thursday, January 21st, 2010 at 12:07:05.

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With temperatures up to 70 degrees here in Texas this week (yes, really!), I've heard many parents remark how happy they are now that flu season is over.  But is it really?  Not so fast, health experts warn.  Even if your family has managed to stay healthy and flu-free up to now, there are still a few months to go with flu season.  In case you missed last week's National Influenza Week, don't despair.  The national observance was established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination, and the good news is that H1N1 vaccines are now reaily available.  Even you haven't already, there is still a good reason to receive a flu shot.  Ask your children's pediatrician about recommendations as well.

Is Flu Season Officially Over? originally appeared on About.com Child Care on Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 at 13:34:51.

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Johnson & Johnson has widened the recall of many of its over-the-counter medications in response to a moldy smell that can make users sick.  While many of the medications are for adults, the list also includes children's Tylenol and children's Motrin.  The smell is apparently caused by small amounts of a chemical associated with the treatment of wooden pallets.  Reports indicate the smell has sickened about 70 people.  Consumers should check the full list at http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com to identify the recalled batches as well as what to do with the product.

Recall of Over-the-Counter Medications Expanded originally appeared on About.com Child Care on Saturday, January 16th, 2010 at 09:48:18.

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My kids didn't return to school until Tuesday, Jan. 5.  Yet, they got off at 11 a.m. (yes, crazy time, isn't it?) on Jan. 14 and Jan. 15, and then have no school on Jan. 18.  What's a working parent to do ... especially since many of us don't get these days off?  Luckily, there are many child care options for when kids are on break but you are not, but they may require extra cash, advance planning, and then safety precautions. 

When Your Kids Are On Break, But You're Not originally appeared on About.com Child Care on Friday, January 15th, 2010 at 11:22:56.

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Who can even be thinking about Valentine's Day?  If you've got kids, then you already know the answer.  Fashions everywhere are filled with pink, red and white and feature hearts and swirls.  Boys clothing may not have the sweetheart look, but there are certainly clothing options being marketed to them as well.  Valentine's dances, especially the endearing mother-daughter or father-son activities, are already planned and kid parties are set.  If you want to do something creative and on-the-cheap, the best offense is to get started now.  Here are 12 top kid gifts that are sure to be a Valentine's party hit!

Valentine's Day Kid Gift Exchanges to Get Started on Now! originally appeared on About.com Child Care on Tuesday, January 12th, 2010 at 13:12:07.

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