Close
Facebook-f Linkedin-in Instagram Youtube
SMS or Email Preference
Facebook-f Linkedin-in Instagram Youtube
Search
Close this search box.

BLOG

Filter
Categories

Program Spotlight: Shared Services Brings Child Care Providers Together

August 23, 2023

Child care providers across Washington build friendships and find support through the Shared Services Hub! Shared Services is a partnership between The Imagine Institute and the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families. It connects licensed family child care providers and child care center directors to resources and services to help grow their businesses, build bonds with fellow providers, and access free training and expert advice. All licensed family child care providers and independent child care center directors in Washington State

Read More

Finding a Staycation: Western Washington

August 11, 2023

There are a lot of places to visit in Western Washington, and if you’re looking for some good vacation ideas, you might consider something in your own area. There are so many places to choose from, but we thought we would mention a few you may not have thought of to take your family for the day. Take a ferry across Puget Sound: There are many options to choose from when taking a ferry across Puget Sound, but the best one may

Read More

Easy, Inexpensive Outdoor Activities for Kids

July 22, 2023

Summer is a great time for kids and families to get outside and play. With the warm weather and long days, there are many activities you can plan to make sure kids have a fun time, without spending too much money. At the Imagine Institute, we wanted to share just a few outdoor activities you can plan for. Backyard Obstacle Course – These can be easy to set up, without spending a lot of money. You can set up an obstacle course

Read More
A graphic with the words "Fun ways to make ice cream for National Ice Cream month" and multicolored scoops of ice cream in cones

Fun Ways to Make Ice Cream for National Ice Cream Month

July 12, 2023

July just might be the sweetest time of year. July 16 is National Ice Cream Day — but the whole month is a celebration of delicious frozen desserts, too! In 1984, President Ronald Reagan declared July to be National Ice Cream Month, and the third Sunday in the month National Ice Cream Day.  You could honor the holiday by going to the store and getting a big tub of vanilla or your favorite pint of caramel brownie fudge chunk. But why not

Read More

A Few Fun Summer Activities For Kids

June 2, 2023

As the season turns into summer, there are many things you can do to keep kids active and get them outside. We wanted to share a few ideas of activities you can do with your kids, both indoors and outdoors, that will be fun and entertaining. Color Coded Scavenger Hunt – This is a simple and easy way to keep kids occupied and to get them some time outside. Simply take a piece of paper and create a grid of different colored

Read More

Imagine Spotlight: Mirna Cartagena

January 17, 2023

This week, we’re proud to feature Mirna Cartagena, serving as a mentor and child care provider in Washington. MEET MIRNA Family is very important to Mirna Cartagena, so when she started working with her sister at the home of a child care provider, she knew it was something she was passionate about and was eager to learn more. COMING TO THE UNITED STATES Mirna grew up in El Salvador and is the oldest of four sisters. She got an education there, and

Read More

Imagine Spotlight: Jezel Ann Dagang

January 17, 2023

This week, we introduce you to Jezel Ann Dagang, who is child care provider in Washington State. MEET JEZEL She recently became a licensed child care provider, but Jezel Ann Dagang says her passion to teach kids started at a young age with help from her family. THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY Jezel grew up in the Philippines and was the oldest of her siblings. She says she helped them out whenever she could and often passed along what she knew to them

Read More

Imagine Staff Spotlight: Nadia Burkur

December 22, 2022

This week, we’re proud to feature Nadia Burkur, who is child care provider and mentor in Washington. MEET NADIA It’s not something she thought she’d be doing, but now Nadia Bukur says child care has become a passion for her. Working with the Imagine Institute as a mentor, she is helping others in her community become providers, and take advantage of the opportunities being offered. FROM CNA TO CCSG Nadia came to the Western Washington from Ethiopia in 2000, with her family.

Read More
A cartoon image of a teacher playing guitar in a classroom full of children

Sharing Our Thanks for Child Care Providers

November 19, 2022

In this season of thankfulness, the Imagine Institute is especially grateful for the child care providers we work with across Washington State.  Your time, effort, generosity, and love help so many children— along with their families and communities. All of us at Imagine are thankful for you and honored to provide programs and services to support you. To highlight our amazing child care community, we asked a few people who work with the Imagine Institute to share the things they love about

Read More
Myra Ann 2

Imagine Spotlight: Myra Ann Astronimo

August 19, 2022

This week, we’re proud to feature child care provider Myra Ann Astronimo, working in Western Washington. MEET MYRA ANN She started as an Intern with the Imagine Institute, but soon, Myra Ann Astronimo found herself as a Mentor with Imagine U, helping others reach their goal of becoming a licensed child care provider, just like her. becoming a provider Myra Ann was born in the Philippines and immigrated to the United States in 2005. She and her family moved to Snohomish County.

Read More

Program Spotlight: Shared Services Brings Child Care Providers Together

August 23, 2023

Child care providers across Washington build friendships and find support through the Shared Services Hub! Shared Services is a partnership between The Imagine Institute and the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families. It connects licensed family child care providers and child care center directors to resources and services to help grow their businesses, build bonds with fellow providers, and access free training and expert advice. All licensed family child care providers and independent child care center directors in Washington State

Read More

Finding a Staycation: Western Washington

August 11, 2023

There are a lot of places to visit in Western Washington, and if you’re looking for some good vacation ideas, you might consider something in your own area. There are so many places to choose from, but we thought we would mention a few you may not have thought of to take your family for the day. Take a ferry across Puget Sound: There are many options to choose from when taking a ferry across Puget Sound, but the best one may

Read More

Easy, Inexpensive Outdoor Activities for Kids

July 22, 2023

Summer is a great time for kids and families to get outside and play. With the warm weather and long days, there are many activities you can plan to make sure kids have a fun time, without spending too much money. At the Imagine Institute, we wanted to share just a few outdoor activities you can plan for. Backyard Obstacle Course – These can be easy to set up, without spending a lot of money. You can set up an obstacle course

Read More
A graphic with the words "Fun ways to make ice cream for National Ice Cream month" and multicolored scoops of ice cream in cones

Fun Ways to Make Ice Cream for National Ice Cream Month

July 12, 2023

July just might be the sweetest time of year. July 16 is National Ice Cream Day — but the whole month is a celebration of delicious frozen desserts, too! In 1984, President Ronald Reagan declared July to be National Ice Cream Month, and the third Sunday in the month National Ice Cream Day.  You could honor the holiday by going to the store and getting a big tub of vanilla or your favorite pint of caramel brownie fudge chunk. But why not

Read More

A Few Fun Summer Activities For Kids

June 2, 2023

As the season turns into summer, there are many things you can do to keep kids active and get them outside. We wanted to share a few ideas of activities you can do with your kids, both indoors and outdoors, that will be fun and entertaining. Color Coded Scavenger Hunt – This is a simple and easy way to keep kids occupied and to get them some time outside. Simply take a piece of paper and create a grid of different colored

Read More

Imagine Spotlight: Mirna Cartagena

January 17, 2023

This week, we’re proud to feature Mirna Cartagena, serving as a mentor and child care provider in Washington. MEET MIRNA Family is very important to Mirna Cartagena, so when she started working with her sister at the home of a child care provider, she knew it was something she was passionate about and was eager to learn more. COMING TO THE UNITED STATES Mirna grew up in El Salvador and is the oldest of four sisters. She got an education there, and

Read More

Imagine Spotlight: Jezel Ann Dagang

January 17, 2023

This week, we introduce you to Jezel Ann Dagang, who is child care provider in Washington State. MEET JEZEL She recently became a licensed child care provider, but Jezel Ann Dagang says her passion to teach kids started at a young age with help from her family. THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY Jezel grew up in the Philippines and was the oldest of her siblings. She says she helped them out whenever she could and often passed along what she knew to them

Read More

Imagine Staff Spotlight: Nadia Burkur

December 22, 2022

This week, we’re proud to feature Nadia Burkur, who is child care provider and mentor in Washington. MEET NADIA It’s not something she thought she’d be doing, but now Nadia Bukur says child care has become a passion for her. Working with the Imagine Institute as a mentor, she is helping others in her community become providers, and take advantage of the opportunities being offered. FROM CNA TO CCSG Nadia came to the Western Washington from Ethiopia in 2000, with her family.

Read More
A cartoon image of a teacher playing guitar in a classroom full of children

Sharing Our Thanks for Child Care Providers

November 19, 2022

In this season of thankfulness, the Imagine Institute is especially grateful for the child care providers we work with across Washington State.  Your time, effort, generosity, and love help so many children— along with their families and communities. All of us at Imagine are thankful for you and honored to provide programs and services to support you. To highlight our amazing child care community, we asked a few people who work with the Imagine Institute to share the things they love about

Read More
Myra Ann 2

Imagine Spotlight: Myra Ann Astronimo

August 19, 2022

This week, we’re proud to feature child care provider Myra Ann Astronimo, working in Western Washington. MEET MYRA ANN She started as an Intern with the Imagine Institute, but soon, Myra Ann Astronimo found herself as a Mentor with Imagine U, helping others reach their goal of becoming a licensed child care provider, just like her. becoming a provider Myra Ann was born in the Philippines and immigrated to the United States in 2005. She and her family moved to Snohomish County.

Read More

NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Sign up for all the latest
news and offers

The Imagine Institute believes in grassroots professional development that works for those working in early learning.

About Us

Quick Links

Contact

Get Social

Facebook-f Linkedin-in Instagram Youtube

© 2024 The Imagine Institute. All rights reserved.