Exciting Pre-K news! The Wake Pre-K application is now fully online!

The WCSS office is still closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and in compliance with NC's extended Phase 2 order.

Please visit our website for:

  • Additional monthly benefits for SNAP EBT recipients
  • "Check My Symptoms" screening tool from NC DHHS
  • The ChildCareStrongNC Public Health Toolkit (updated August 6)

If you need to contact a WCSS staff member working remotely, please visit our staff page for more information.

The Autumnal Equinox

What is the autumnal equinox?

  • The equinox is one of two dates in the year that day and night are roughly equal length around the world. This is caused by the position of the Earth and the Sun during Earth's orbit.
  • The autumnal equinox marks the start of the Fall season. Days will start getting shorter and nights longer after the equinox.
  • The word "equinox" comes from two Latin words meaning "equal" and "night."

When will it happen?

  • The equinox occurs the moment the Sun passes over the Earth's equator.
  • The equinox takes place at the same moment worldwide. The time varies depending on what time zone you are in.
  • In Eastern Daylight Time, Wake County's time zone, the autumnal equinox will take place on September 22, 2020 at 9:31am. Want to know how close to equal our day and night length will be? Enter your zip code into this calculator and find out!

Are the equinox and the solstice the same thing?

  • The equinox marks the point that night and day are of equal length. The solstice, on the other hand, is the point at which they are most unequal.
  • Both events happen twice per year, bringing the changing seasons. The winter solstice is in December, the vernal equinox is in March, the summer solstice is in June, and the autumnal equinox is in September.
  • The dates vary, but the months remain the same. This passage of time has been tracked by people for thousands of years.
 

Fact or Fiction Science Challenge!

 

How Can We Celebrate Fall?

What are some of our local signs of fall?

  • Red, yellow, and orange leaves on trees
  • Leaves falling to the ground
  • Cooler temperatures
  • Longer nights
  • Nuts and acorns on the ground
  • New vegetables growing like pumpkins
  • Animals hibernating, migrating, or gathering food for the winter
  • Why do leaves change colors in the fall?

Plan a virtual field trip with a farmer!

Fun Fall Activities for Toddlers & Pre-K!

Change the Future for Your Child - Online!

Wake Pre-K - the way to grow, learn, and play!

The Wake Pre-K Application Center is your link to free, safe, and fun Pre-K options for your child...and now you can apply ONLINE!

If your child turned 4 by August 31, 2020, you can apply for Pre-K now! One online application will connect you to Wake County's public Pre-K programs.

Pre-K: what your child learns here lasts a lifetime!

Featured Book: Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn

Written & Illustrated by: Kenard Pak

Highlights: Join a young girl as she takes a walk through forest and town, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with every flower and creature and gust of wind, she says goodbye to summer and welcomes autumn.

Best for: Toddler to preschool, ages 3-5

Wake County Public Library Programming: The WCPL Books on the Go! service is now available on Saturdays! Find out all the details for safely checking out and returning books here.

Literacy Tip: Go on a color-spotting nature walk! See how many different colors your child can spot in the fall foliage and signs of the changing seasons.

September's book selected by the Preschool Librarians of Wake County Public Libraries.

Want FREE books for your child under 5? Join the Imagination Library today!

Each month we celebrate the child care facilities that have recently obtained or retained a five star rating!

Congratulations to:

Since assessments have been postponed until further notice, the NC Rated License Assessment Project (NCRLAP) has Environmental Rating Scale resources for ITERS-R, ECERS-R, and family child care homes available for your use! Scroll to the bottom for a new series about the Activities subscale of the FCCERS-R.

Broccoli Apple Salad

Gather the flavors of fall in this crunchy, chunky salad! Easily swap out ingredients and find new favorites with this broccoli apple salad!

Visit CCSA's training calendar for all upcoming events.

Online Learning Modules from Breastfeeding University at the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute

Self-Paced

Click here for more information.

Toxic Stress and Its Impact on Children

September 10, 6:30 - 8:30pm

Virtual/Online

Click here to register.

Incorporating Books into the Infant/Toddler Classroom

September 17, 6 - 7:30pm

Virtual/Online

Click here to register.

Being a Child Care Provider in 2020

September 19, 10am - 2pm

Virtual/Online Wake County FCCA Annual Day of Learning

Click here to register.

Grief & Loss in Young Children

September 21, 6:30 - 8:30pm

Virtual/Online

Click here to register.

Building Collaborative Relationships with Families

September 22, 6:30 - 7:30pm

Virtual/Online

Click here to register.

ITS-SIDS

September 22, 6:30 - 8:30pm

Virtual/Online

Click here to register.

Exploring Social Emotional Development Within the Context of Relationships

September 23, 6:30 - 8:30pm

Virtual/Online

Click here to register.

Be Active Kids: Digging Into the Components

September 24 or 29, 6:30 - 8pm

Virtual/Online

Click here to register.

Boat Yoga

video

Have fun with movement and singing by doing boat yoga! What is that, you ask? Watch this short sing-a-long video with your children to find out!

Did you know WCSS is a nonprofit and relies on support from members of our community like you? Visit our website today to see how you can make a difference for each child, in every community in Wake County.

 
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Questions? Contact us today 919-851-9550