Milestones

02/11/2025

Mealtime is about more than just food—it’s about connection. 💛

Sitting with children, sharing stories, and modeling healthy habits create a positive, loving environment where everyone feels valued and cared for.

Take the time.

02/10/2025

Fueling Healthy Futures with CACFP!

At Milestones, we believe every child deserves access to nutritious meals that support their growth and development. That’s why we’re proud participants of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)—a vital initiative that helps child care centers provide balanced, wholesome meals to the children in our care. 🥦🍎🥛

Why does CACFP matter?
✅ Ensures children receive meals that meet essential nutrition guidelines
✅ Promotes healthy eating habits that last a lifetime
✅ Supports child care providers in offering high-quality meal options
✅ Helps fight food insecurity in our communities

With CACFP, we’re not just feeding children—we’re nourishing their potential and paving the way for brighter futures. 🌈✨

💡 Want to learn more about how CACFP is making a difference? Visit https://s.mtrbio.com/gbkxfnzgfu

02/07/2025

Celebrate Give Kids a Smile Day! 😁✨

Smiles are more than just expressions—they’re the heart of childhood joy, confidence, and connection. On February 7, 2025, we’re celebrating "Give Kids a Smile Day", a special day dedicated to spreading happiness and positivity among children across the country.

At Milestones, we believe every child’s smile tells a story of hope, growth, and bright possibilities. A smile can light up a room, create friendships, and inspire confidence in young hearts. Whether it's through a kind word, a shared laugh, or a simple act of encouragement, we can all play a part in making children feel valued and supported.

Join us in sharing joy, laughter, and positivity—because every child deserves to feel seen, supported, and encouraged to shine!

🌟 Ways to celebrate:
- Share a smile with a child in your life.
- Encourage kindness and positivity.
- Spread joy in your community with simple acts of happiness.

Together, we can brighten the future—one smile at a time! 😄

02/06/2025

ℹ Stay updated on the latest recalls ℹ
Recall information from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Weekly Recall Notification Minnesota Department of Agriculture sent this bulletin at 02/06/2025 06:41 AM CST Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Recall information from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture February 4, 2025 La Fiesta Food Products Issues Recall January 28, 20...

02/06/2025

Milestones Connections #02

Be Inspired.

Empowering caregivers, early educators, and parents in celebration, support, and nurturing of children!

02/04/2025

Keeping up with USDA guidelines ensures we provide the highest quality nutrition to children in our care. 📋

Regular updates and training help us stay on track and continue our mission of building brighter futures, one meal at a time.

02/03/2025

💕𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐀𝐂𝐅𝐏 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 💕
Visit https://www.milestonesmn.org/newsletters.php to log in and view it today!

02/03/2025

The Shared Services Alliance is designed to work in partnership with licensed Early Child Care Programs in Region 7W (Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, and Wright Counties) to offer the services needed to help you grow your businesses, achieve financial stability, enhance your knowledge and education, all while providing time to focus on quality of care and most important... the Children.

The Shared Services Alliance aims to provide a comprehensive service approach, which includes access to a wide range of programs and resources without limitations.

Furthermore, whenever you require assistance, you can contact us, and we will take the responsibility of connecting you with suitable resources, thereby saving you the time and stress of searching for them yourself.

Reach out today!
https://s.mtrbio.com/rhqetqlxbd

01/30/2025

🌈 Unlocking the Power of Play in Child Development 🌈

Ever noticed how children can turn the simplest objects into imaginative worlds? Play is not just fun; it’s a powerhouse for child development, shaping the way kids learn and grow.

🎨 Creativity Boost: Through play, children explore their creativity, developing problem-solving skills and innovative thinking. Remember turning a cardboard box into a spaceship? That’s the magic of play!

🧠 Cognitive Benefits: Engaging in play enhances cognitive abilities. Games that involve counting, building, or sorting boost memory and spatial awareness, laying a solid foundation for future learning.

🌟 Emotional Growth: Play allows kids to express emotions and learn social cues. Whether through role-playing or team games, children develop empathy and emotional intelligence.

🏃 Physical Development: Active play promotes physical health, improving coordination, balance, and motor skills. It’s a fun way to keep kids moving and healthy!

Let’s celebrate the importance of play in our children’s lives. Share your favorite childhood games or how you incorporate play into daily routines. Tag a friend who brings playfulness to life! 🛝



What’s your child’s favorite way to play? How do you encourage imaginative play in your home? Share your stories with us! 🌈

01/30/2025

Milestones Connections #01

Be Inspired.

Empowering caregivers, early educators, and parents in celebration, support, and nurturing of children!

01/28/2025

Great nutrition happens when child care providers and parents work together! 🤝

Sharing meal plans, nutrition tips, and involving families in food choices creates a strong foundation for healthy habits at home and in care.

Let’s stay connected for our kids!

01/27/2025

ON MISSION:
Building brighter futures, nurturing growth, and creating pathways to success for the early childhood community.

Since its inception in 1977, Milestones' mission and vision have focused on ensuring that all young children have the best supports and resources necessary for a healthy start. For more than 45 years, Milestones has connected and collaborated with parents, grandparents, child care providers, preschool teachers, Head Start, and community members to provide the Steps to Success for the Early Childhood Community.

Over the years, the vision and reach has expanded; however, the mission to provide the best for the youngest members of society remains unchanged.

01/25/2025

This video features Empower to Educate advisors talking about the program.

01/24/2025

📢 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲! ‼

Join us for the 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟏, 𝟗 𝐀𝐌–𝐍𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐳 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫.

🎉 This 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐢𝐧-𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 is designed to support 𝐘𝐎𝐔! 🌟

💡 Earn 2 hours of training while learning to find joy, manage stress, and build self-compassion.
🤝 Connect with local resources and enjoy a light breakfast at 8:45 AM!

📅 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟕 by emailing [email protected] or scanning the QR code in the flyer below!

We can’t wait to see you there! 🌈

01/24/2025

🌟 Fueling Healthy Futures with CACFP! 🌟

At Milestones, we believe every child deserves access to nutritious meals that support their growth and development.

That’s why we’re proud sponsors of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)—a vital initiative that helps family day care providers provide balanced, wholesome meals to the children in our care. 🥦🍎🥛

Why does CACFP matter?
✅ Ensures children receive meals that meet essential nutrition guidelines
✅ Promotes healthy eating habits that last a lifetime
✅ Supports child care providers in offering high-quality meal options
✅ Helps fight food insecurity in our communities

With CACFP, we’re not just feeding children—we’re nourishing their potential and paving the way for brighter futures. 🌈✨

Want to learn more about how CACFP is making a difference?
Visit: www.milestonesmn.org/food-program

01/23/2025

🌟 The Impact of Quality Child Care on Development 🌟

High-quality child care is key to nurturing well-rounded children, supporting cognitive growth, emotional health, and social skills.

🔍 Cognitive Growth: Boosts language and math skills through play and learning.
❤️ Emotional Well-being: Builds resilience and self-esteem with caring interactions.
🤝 Social Skills: Teaches cooperation and communication with peers.

Studies show these benefits lead to academic and social success. Investing in quality care is investing in a child's future.

Celebrate those in high-quality child care! Share your stories or tag someone inspiring in this field. Let's raise awareness of its benefits. 🌈



How has quality child care impacted your child? What qualities matter most in child care? Share your thoughts! 🌟

01/23/2025

🚨 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬! 🚨

Join us for a vital training on Emergency Preparedness for Child Care Programs! Learn how to respond to and recover from emergencies, support children's needs, and create or update your emergency plan.

📅 When: Thursday, February 6th, 6:30–9:30 PM
📍 Where: Big Lake High School, 501 Minnesota Avenue East, Big Lake, MN 55309
💲 Cost: $15

➡️ Secure your spot today @ www.developtoolmn.org. Event ID 438698

01/22/2025

Stay updated on the latest recalls! Check out this week’s recall:

Weekly Recall Notification Minnesota Department of Agriculture sent this bulletin at 01/21/2025 08:27 AM CST Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Recall information from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture January 21, 2025 Quaker Issues Recall January 14, 2025 - The Quaker O...