I enjoyed attending Vacation Bible School at my grandparents' chuch when I was a kid, so I thought I'd post about a Vacation Bible School opportunity.

Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church is offering a Vacation Bible School from July 12th-16th. The time is 9am-12:30pm.  You can register for this opportunity here. The church is located at 25th and Amidon. *I'm not sure if there is a charge for this or not because I'm a member of a different church.  I do know the pastor of this church though; he is the dad of a former daycare child.

If you know of any other kid activities, please comment or email me at daycaredeals@gmail.com so that I can post about them.

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Payless.com is offering 20% off with checkout code 30487. The sale prices start at $5.99 ($4.79 after discount) for flip flops, but they also have $7, $9, and $11 sales. *Make sure you check the price at checkout. Some colors of the shoes aren't qualifying for the sale prices. You can get free shipping if you chose to ship to your local store, or shipping costs $5.95.

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Visit Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita for cheap!

Daycares with children under 4 - may admit all children in free with adults paying the regular adult admission or may pay the discounted student admission of $3.00 for all students. Regular adult admission is $7.75! More information about Old Cowtown Museum here.

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WalMart has the Playskool Step Start Walk n' Ride for only $13.54! You can get this sent to your local store and get free shipping with site to store! It comes in pink or green. This is a much lower price for these than I saw at Christmas when my daughter got one.

This is great because my daughter started walking with this. She has one at our house and one at her grandma's. We've now converted it to the ride on car, which she absolutely loves!

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Bath and Body Works is offering 20% off orders of $25 or more by using code 20SALE at checkout. They're offering anti-bacterial soaps 4 for $10! Their Signature Collection Classics drop from as much as $10.50 to only $3! The Signature Collection Body Lotions are also $4 each, regularly $10.50. Candles are also all 50% off. This offer runs through July 4th, 2010.

(Thanks, Yahoo Deals!)

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ADT is offering a free Child Safety ID kit. This contains fingerprinting tools and games for teaching child safety. You may request 1 kit for each child in your home under 14.

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Friday is Mega Swag Bucks Day! Chances of winning higher denominations of Swagbucks are increased today! You get points just for searching the web, and you can claim great prizes. I didn't sign up until the end of February, yet I've already "won" enough Swagbucks to cash in for $5 via Paypal and $35 worth of Amazon gift certificates.

If you haven't signed up yet, sign up here. If you are a member, join me in searching today!

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After I posted the question about SRS, I had comments about the AFSCME Union and how it might effect those with SRS contracts. Originally, I did not do much to look into this issue. I only visited the Union's website and read about their mission. It did not mention anything about taking dues out of SRS subsidy checks unless a provider was part of the Union and requested that they do so or if the provider had not paid Union dues on time. So, again I didn't think much of the Union. Now, I've had a request again to look into this issue. This is the information that I found out, and this is to the best of my knowledge and understanding. If you are a member of the Union, feel free to comment if I am not correct.

First of all, I've been part of unions before. I was part of 2 teachers' unions when I was teaching, so I'm not anti-Union in general. My uncle is even president of a railroad union in Kansas City. However, my feelings on the Childcare Providers Together/AFSCME union is that it would not benefit me to become a part of it right now. I reviewed their mission before coming to this conclusion.

AFSCME Union Controversy:

To get started and address some of the early comments, Michigan has had troubles with the AFSCME Union and the Department of Health Services (DHS). There is much speculation into who really benefitted the most from this the Union or DHS. In Michigan, the Union formed without a majority of childcare providers voting for it. From what I've read, 40,000 ballots got sent out but only 6000 were returned with the majority of those 6,000 voting in favor of the Union. After signing an agreement with the AFSCME Union, DHS in Michigan claimed that daycare providers who were receiving subsidy checks from the State were employees of the Michigan Home Based Child Care Council and thus members of the Union. This caused a lot of problems because home daycare providers are considered independent contractors and we pay taxes as independent contractors. Providers in Michigan are baffled about how they're considered  employees if they are paying taxes as independent contractors. As a result of DHS claiming that providers are employees of the Michigan Home Based Child Care Council, Union dues are taken out of the subsidy checks these providers are getting. Providers in Michigan are suing the AFSCME Union. More information about Michigan and AFSCME here.

Childcare Providers Together/AFSCME:
The current Union in Kansas is called Childcare Providers Together. Kathleen Sebilius signed an executive order in 2007, allowing the AFSCME Union enter into an agreement with KDHE and SRS. These are highlights from the contract between SRS/KDHE and AFSCME:

  • This agreement between the State and the Union represents each parties’ good faith efforts to work together on: child care quality standards; Provider training and professional development opportunities; rates for subsidized child care benefits; payment methods; health and safety conditions, monitoring and evaluation of Providers; and recruitment and retention of qualified Providers, and otherwise increase the overall quality of child care programs in Kansas.
  • Through this agreement the State and the Union agree to work in partnership to build a twenty first century child care system that promotes the safe, healthy development of the children of Kansas, respects and recognizes Providers, and complies with applicable state and federal regulations.
  • To ensure proper representation of Providers under the terms of this Agreement, the State will provide to the Union, Registered and Licensed Providers information in accordance with the provisions of the Kansas Open Records Act and K.S.A. 65-525 and amendment thereto, in writing or through electronic transmission. If needed, a reasonable fee for information may be required.
  • The State agrees to include one (1) piece of Union literature describing the history, purpose, and contact information, either in the form of a letter or pamphlet, in the renewal application packets sent to any prospective Provider in the state of Kansas.
  • The State agrees to place a Union hyperlink and an internet hyperlink to this agreement on the main website page of KDHE for child care regulation and SRS for child care subsidy.
  • The right of Providers to contact a person to be present to observe any regulatory inspection conducted by an authorized agent of KDHE or compliance visit by SRS without delaying or interfering with the inspection.
  • Nothing in this agreement shall be construed to interfere with parental rights to select or deselect Providers.
  • It is the intent of the State and the Union to cooperate in efforts to work towards achieving the federal benchmark of the 75th percentile of the most current market rate analysis compiled by the State or its contractors for state child care assistance subsidy to enable better access to child care. The parties agree to pursue an increase to the subsidy benefit rate for all county groupings and categories of providers through state budget cycles.
  • The State shall recognize Kansas Child Care Provider Day on a mutually agreed day and month for each year during the term of this agreement.
  • The Union represents all Providers and intends to collect Union dues from all Providers who are members of the Union.
  • SRS enrolls a small subset of these Providers in the Child Care Subsidy Program. The dues paying Providers enrolled with SRS will be given the option to pay Union dues through an Electronic Benefit Transfer diversion option.
  • The State and the Union have an interest in adequate availability to child care services for those families participating in the child care subsidy program, and the parties will work together to assure the collection of dues does not create an undue burden to Providers serving children receiving child care subsidy payments.
Find the rest of the agreement here. It's a very dry read, especially at 11pm on a weeknight. :)

My Thoughts:

This agreement does not really effect me. I am not contracted with SRS, but I did get an application the other day. Even if I was contracted with SRS, this agreement does not effect me because I can choose not to be part of the Union. If something transpires like what happened in Michigan, I would drop my SRS contract (should I ever get one) in an instant. I feel that taking dues out for accepting child care assistance subsidies is ridiculous! Providers take on the families with subsidies to provide child care, not to pay more fees. I have been able to run my daycare with private pay parents only; others might not be as lucky as me. I feel that providers will stop taking families with subsidies due to issues like these.

So, does accepting SRS subsidies in Kansas make you a paying member of the Union?

According to SRS in Wichita, no it does not.
I'm awaiting an answer to this question from the Union. I emailed them today.
This may change in the future, but for now we're in the clear. :)

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"Like" Lindsey Olives on Facebook and get $1 coupon for new Lindsey Olive Recloseables!

While you're there, "Like" Daycare Deals here.

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Vistaprint is offering 140 free address labels for free! You only have to pay shipping, which is around $3. These come in many different designs, so you can choose one that you will love. This would be great for when you send your paperwork to the state or when you send in your food program paperwork! Get these here!

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Sign up for Nike email updates and be the first to know about new products and special offers. Click on the link from the flash.

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Ooh it's so good! Sign up for Mr. Food's newletter and get his free e-cookbook. A window will pop up for you to enter your email address. I absolutely love Mr. Food!

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Get a free sample of Cascade ActionPacs from Sam's Club. You must have a membership number for this offer.

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My daycare children love to play with sidewalk chalk. I have one who will write and draw for most of the time we're outside. So, I was happy to come acrosss this sidewalk paint recipe. I think my daycare children would love to help make their own.

Sidewalk Paint Recipe:

1 cup Cornstarch
Cold water
Tempera Paint--multiple colors

Mix the cornstarch with enough cold water to make a paintable consistency.

Separate into smaller batches

Add a couple of teaspoons of tempera paint to reach desired color.

Mix the paint into your batch.

Let children have fun painting the sidewalk, patio, or driveway.

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Stop by Cost Cutters this Friday, Saturday, or Sunday for 50% off color and facial waxing, and 30% off color related products. Locations are at Maize/Central and Tyler/Kellogg.

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Covergirl is offering a free bronzer through Facebook. Go here and click on the ad to the right that says, "Free Covergirl Bronzer."

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Toys r Us is having a 2 day Doorbuster sale. Find more information on their flyer about their specials on swingsets, outdoor toys, wagons, and more. The sale is Friday 3pm-11 and all day Saturday!

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Friday is Mega Swag Bucks Day! Chances of winning higher denominations of Swagbucks are increased today! You get points just for searching the web, and you can claim great prizes. I didn't sign up until the end of February, yet I've already "won" enough Swagbucks to cash in for $5 via Paypal and $35 worth of Amazon gift certificates.



If you haven't signed up yet, sign up here. If you are a member, join me in searching today!

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At 2pm, Cellfire will be giving away more free store credit. Sign up here for a Cellfire account or go through this link if you have an account already.

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Hobby Lobby currently has items marked down up to 80%. Head there  for some cute household items!

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June 14th - June 19th, 2010


Pizza for the Hungry creates moments of joy in homeless shelters/kitchens/missions through pizza parties with live music. For just $1, you can sponsor 2 slices and live music and create gladness for a person in need. Picture the pizza parties with stacks of hot, fresh pizzas rolling in, music playing in the shelters and cheers, laughter and smiles: and a Smile brings Hope. Pizza for the Hungry throws parties for 1 week every June. But only with your help: Please donate! Even $1 makes a direct difference! Find more information here.



*I don't know much about this charity, but I felt that this was a good cause that I wanted to let everyone know about. I found the information on Allyou.com, so I think it's a legit company.

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Get a free sample of Propel by hitting "Like" on Facebook.

While you're there, "Like" Daycare Deals here.

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Get a free sample of Pampers Extra Protection here. *Available in sizes 4 & 5 only.

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Get $1 coupon for Fruit 2 Day from Beechnut. This is a juice with no sugar added, 2 servings of fruit, and only 110-120 calories.

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Dillons is doing a Summer of Savings sweepstakes. They have 3 different prize pools. The first prize pool is from June 11, 2010 to July 3, 2010, the second prize pool is from July 4, 2010 to August 7, 2010, and the third prize pool is from August 8, 2010 to September 11, 2010. This ends September 11, 2010.

I played the first day on June 11th and won a free Koolaid Fun Fizz. Since I have a free item coupon for this from Kraft First Taste, Dillons will actually pay me to buy this!!! Start spinning the wheel here!

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I just won 59 Swagbucks in 1 search! Swagbucks has vamped up the denominations this week, and the numbers have been big. They featured a new amount each day. This week, I've won 39, 47, and 59. 59 Swagbucks seems to be today's amount, and they're giving it away every 7th search. Sign up for Swagbucks here.

Friday is Mega Swag Bucks Day! Chances of winning higher denominations of Swagbucks are increased today! You get points just for searching the web, and you can claim great prizes. I didn't sign up until the end of February, yet I've already "won" enough Swagbucks to cash in for $5 via Paypal and $35 worth of Amazon gift certificates.


If you haven't signed up yet, sign up here. If you are a member, join me in searching today!

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Get a free sample of All Oxi-Active from Walmart here.

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ATTN: I just spoke with a local contact who told me that they were on a conference call with the state this afternoon. If you are currently registered and have your registration coming up due to renew, you should go ahead and pick up or print out a licensed application. Do this now because the conference call was about the fees being raised. If you pick up/print out a new application soon, you will only have to pay $15 instead of the $75. (You could do this and pick up an application even if your registration was due to renew in August).*

Here is the link for local contacts to pick up an application or
Here is a link to print the licensed application

*Caveat: If you do this, you might take the chance of getting inspected earlier than you normally would have. Also, you'll need to make sure you get the 15 hours of training. They won't work with you on your 15 hours if you renew as licensed.  However, the 15 hours really isn't hard to meet. I'll post some training ideas/classes tomorrow.

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Make this cool Mr. Egghead for Dad for Father's Day or one of the other 101 Father's Day craft ideas found here. Sign up for the newsletter to get access to over 1000 craft ideas. Bonus: Free 95-page "Creative Crafting All Year Round Holiday" eBookClick Here

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Sign up for the FaveDiets Quick and Healthy Recipes newsletter and receive “The Ultimate List of Healthy Snacks: 40 Healthy Snack Recipes” eCookbook free. Click Here

They also have this Healthy Chicken Recipes eCookbook available:
Free eCookbook: 22 Quick and Easy Healthy Chicken Recipes, featuring over 30 pages of tasty and healthy chicken recipes + FaveDiets Quick and Healthy Recipes newsletter for FREE! Get this brand new FREE eCookbook collection of crowd-pleasing healthy chicken recipes perfect for any meal. You'll find tons of tasty healthy chicken dinners, including healthy chicken breast recipes, healthy chicken wings and much more! The eCookbook has easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions for favorites, including Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken (page 21), Chicken Wings with Barbecue Sauce (page 30) and Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken (page 26).Click Here

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Entertainment 2010

Click on the picture above to get the 2010 Entertainment Book for only $15 plus free shipping. This book provides tons of savings on clothes, food, and entertainment. For example, it has a BOGO coupon for Two Brothers BBQ. My husband and I were able to get 2 two meat dinners for less than $10. (This savings almost paid for the book itself.) I've also used a 20% off coupon for Gordmans to save on clothing. Another great offer in the book is a free Auntie Anne's pretzel.

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1. Test your water with this free Nature's Own Water Tester sample.

2. Get this sample of nerve pain relief from Neuragen here.

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If you didn't get a chance to get one of the free, new Gillette Fusion Proglide razors or even if you did, you can get one at Walgreens for $1.51 after Register Rewards and a $4 coupon from the 6/6 P&G Brand Saver insert. *Use the $4 coupon, and you'll pay $6.51 (Wichita price with tax) out of pocket and receive a $5 Register Reward.

^So, you'll really get the razor for only $1.51 (or a little more/less depending on your tax). This is a great price for a razor, and my husband loves his! It comes in manual or power.

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Walmart is partnering with Six Flags for Walmart Family Days. They're offering 4 General Admission tickets for $99 plus other food/fun savings. Here is how you have to get this offer.

1. Purchase something at Walmart on a Wednesday or Thursday (from 6/2-7/1). You'll receive a code on your receipt.

2. Visit this website on a Wednesday/ThursdayFriday to input your code.You must sign up for their emails because they will send you emails with the offers.

3. Visit this site to purchase your ticket using the code from your receipt.
(This offer is valid for purchases until 7-2-10. You should be able to buy tickets for now-12/29/2010.)
4. You should receive an offer in your email with regards to saving on food/fun at the park in addition to your $99 tickets.

(Thanks, Common Sense with Money)

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FineGiftSoaps.com is offering 5 free samples of their products here. No strings attached.

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Sign up or log in to your Cellfire account for $1 store credit to Kroger. This is available now. They will be doing more offers like these, so keep watching out for the new offers.

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Celebrate National Cheese Day with Cheezits. Visit their Facebook page for a link to a $1/1 coupon. This is the best coupon I've seen for Cheezits ever!

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Groupon's Deal for today and this weekend is to pay $10 for $25 worth of candy from Candyopolis! If you're interested in taking advantage of this deal, sign up for Groupon here!

--I wish they would have had this offer almost 3 years ago. My husband and I bought their purple and gray M&Ms for our wedding guests, and we spent around $180.

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Friday is Mega Swag Bucks Day! Chances of winning higher denominations of Swagbucks are increased today! You get points just for searching the web, and you can claim great prizes. I didn't sign up until the end of February, yet I've already "won" enough Swagbucks to cash in for $5 via Paypal and $30 worth of Amazon gift certificates.

If you haven't signed up yet, sign up here. If you are a member, join me in searching today!

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Tomorrow, June 4th, is National Donut Day!!! Many places are offering free donuts when you stop by the store tomorrow.

1. Lamar Donuts: Get a free gourmet donut with your visit. No purchase required.

2. Krispy Kreme: Get a free donut when you stop in. No purchase required.

3. Dunkin' Donuts: Get a free donut with any beverage purchase.

(Thanks, Money Saving Mom)

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Here are some more great free samples:

1. Zantac Maximum Strength 150

2. Nivea Touch of Happiness Bodywash

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"Like" Welch's on Facebook to get a link for a $2/1 coupon for Welch's juice. This should mean fairly cheap juice. I think I've bought some Welch's juice in the refrigerated section of Walmart for $2.64.

While you're there, "Like" Daycare Deals here.

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Use secret code "0316" to get this free Kobalt Lock-Back Utility Knife from Lowes. It will give you a barcode to take to Lowes after you enter your information. Others have already reported getting this from Lowes without issues. Yay!

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Here are the best Dillons Deals this week.

Dillons Eggs (dozen): .88

Lean Cuisine Entrees: 1.88
Use $1/5 5/2 SS or
Use $1/1 HERE

Kroger Granulated Sugar (4lb bag): 1.88

Cantaloupe: 1.88

Kroger Cheese: 1.88

Sobe Lifewater: .88

Doritos: 1.88

Pepsi Products: 3/$12 plus get a free bag of Tostitos when you buy 3

Kroger ice cream: 1.99

Beef Flat Iron Steak: 3.99 (This is $2/lb from their normal prices, so I'm stocking up. This is really lean meat and great for marinating and fajita meat)

USDA Thin Sliced Beef Steak: BOGO (normal price is 3.99, and it comes in 1 size) [This is great for stir frys and steak sandwiches/salads.]

Kroger Frozen Vegetables: 1.00

All Laundry Detergent: 2.99

I don't have many coupons to go with these deals, but they're the best that I see for the week.

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