text:
Sanctuary seeker takes refuge from deportation at UU church
In an effort to avoid being forcibly deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Arturo Hernandez became Colorado's first sanctuary seeker earlier this week, and has taken refuge at First Unitarian Society of Denver. Hernandez, a 15-year resident of the state, hopes to draw attention to the issue of immigration and the separation of immigrant families. (The Denver Post – 10.22.14)
Related story:
First person in Colo. claims sanctuary to avoid deportation (Public News Service – 10.22.14)
Same-sex marriage ban lifted in Wyoming, other states
Same-sex marriages became legal in Wyoming earlier this week after State Attorney General Peter Michael filed a notice saying that the state will not appeal a judge's order overturning its ban on same-sex ceremonies. Unitarian Universalist Church of Cheyenne minister, the Rev. Audette Fulbright, was on hand outside of the Laramie County Courthouse to oversee one of the state's first same-sex ceremonies. (Wyoming Tribune Eagle – 10.21.14)
Related stories:
S.C. county awaits its first gay marriage after ruling (Nogales International – 10.21.14)
Gay marriage to begin in Wyoming (Wyoming Tribune Eagle – 10.21.14)
Same-sex marriage arrives in Wyoming (Wyoming Public Media – 10.21.14)
Idaho Falls church rejoices start of same-sex marriages (Local News 8 – 10.19.14)
Marriage equality in Fairfax and beyond (The Connection – 10.21.14)
UUs stand for racial justice, call to end police brutality
Residents of Rockford, Ill., rallied against police brutality this week in the wake of the unarmed shooting of Missouri teen Michael Brown, and called for an end to "unnecessarily aggressive police tactics, mass incarceration, and racism." The protest was organized by the Unitarian Universalist Church in Rockford and the local Anti-Racism Network (MyStateLine.com – 10.23.14)
Related story:
Race protest draws 75 in Montclair (TheAlternativePress.com – 10.23.14)


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Life In London Magazine
> Childcare in London (Page 1)
Childcare in London
The costs are so high and the choices seemingly endless..where on earth do you start in making such an important decision?
Obviously in an ideal world, you'd be able to sort out all your childcare arrangements while you are still pregnant and have time to explore the options, however this is unrealistic for most and therefore you will be trying to sort this out whilst dealing with the physical and emotional demands of being a new parent.
There will probably be excellent, average and mediocre childcare in your area, and it is important to devote as much time as possible in finding out exactly what the local options are for you. Since good quality childcare is in great demand, you have to plan ahead. Costs vary greatly from area to area and they depend on the type of childcare you choose. Its a good idea to ask friends for recommendations, ring local nanny agencies or contact your local social services to find out more.
Entrusting a stranger with your child is a big step but there are a few ways to make sure you maximise your chances of finding a good match.
Research ofsted reports
since all childminders and day carers must be registered by Ofsted (that includes a criminal record check) you can simply ask to see a registration certificate. Reports are normally also available on line so you can see the detail of the inspector's findings.
Make the most of
parenting forums
which are not only a place to make new friends but can also be valuable resources for get parenting and childcare tips.
The best way to find out whether a person will suit your needs is to
meet face to face with people on your shortlist
and talk to them about things that are important to you.
Follow up references & have a written contract
to ensure that everything is above board and formalised from the outset. Also make contingency plans for alternative care in case of an emergency.
Types of Childcare available:
The oldest form of childcare is to have a member of your family looking after your children. This is likely to be the most cost-effective form of childcare and will normally lead to the child feeling happy and secure being left with someone they know well when you're a work. Your children will also be familiar with the environment - either your own house or your relatives'. This option also has the advantage that you can largely stick to your child's existing routine (diet, nap times, etc.); nurseries and childminders might not be able to do this as they will need to consider the practical aspects of dealing with several children as well as their own internal routines.
There are still downsides to this kind of arrangement though. Asking parents (or in-laws) to babysit for the odd night out is a completely different thing to them looking after your children on a permanent, regular basis. This option will only work if you have a good, honest relationship with the person that will be looking after your children since both sides should feel comfortable when it comes to raising issues without fear of insulting the other side. A lot of people feel a bit guilty about having a family member deal with such a large amount of responsibility without some form of recompense, so it might be a good idea to offer some sort of payment.
A major source of tension in this kind of relationship can be where relatives don't agree with or don't follow your wishes in relation to childcare and child rearing. Arguably, this arrangement also leads to the child missing out when it comes to mixing with their contemporaries unless they are taken to baby groups and other activities involving young children on a regular basis.
Generally, child minders look after children under 12 in the child minder's home; they often also collect school-aged children from a nearby school. In many cases they are mothers themselves and in any case will usually have done a short, pre-registration course and have undergone police and health checks. Depending upon the size of the childminders home, they may look after three children under five (with not more than one child younger than one year); six children between five and seven years old or six children younger than eight years old (with up to three children younger than five years old, and one under one year).
An advantage of having a childminder look after your child is that your child will be able to enjoy the company of other children in a home environment. Some childminders also look after children parttime or at weekends and early evenings which might suit your needs. Often the charges are lower than what you would have to pay for a nursery or a nanny.
A disadvantage could be that you have to take the baby to the minder, which may mean that your day starts relatively early in order to allow time for your child to be dropped off. Another issue is that you may not agree with the childminders views on important things such as feeding and discipline. You should discuss these issues when choosing a childminder and in any case in advance of leaving your child with them. Bear in mind that childminders are often busy and may have a waiting list so you may need to book your place early.
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