Early Education Newsletter
November 2019
The CASY office will be closed
Tuesday, November 5th - Election Day
Monday, November 11th - Veteran's Day
Thursday, November 28th - Thanksgiving
Friday, November 29th - day after Thanksgiving
I-LEAD
I-LEAD Tip:
A number of providers have created a new application in error. When an application is created in error, leave it unattended or in "draft status" and it will fall off the account in 90 days. If the application is left unopened, you will receive an email stating that the application is about to expire. No action is needed if you receive this email. Your I-LEAD account will not be deleted, only the draft application will be removed.
Need Help Activating Your I-LEAD Account? Haven't Received Your Invite?
Advancements
Mitchell Early Childhood and Family Center
Delaware County
Knightstown Elementary Preschool
Henry County
Evelyne's Child Care
Madison County
Tiny Babes Daycare and Preschool
Monroe County
Round Barn Daycare
Putnam County
Southwestern Elementary Preschool
Shelby County
Golden Bear Preschool
Shelby County
Jack in the Box
Vigo County
Friends Preschool Academy
Delaware County
Aunt Jacki's Daycare and Preschool
Morgan County
Grant Opportunities
United Way of the Wabash Valley’s Success By 6 initiative is offering early childhood literacy project grants to local educators and organizations in the counties of Clay, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo in Indiana or Clark County in Illinois. The goal of the Success By 6 Early Childhood Literacy Projects program is to provide funding to early childhood educators, child care providers, and/or early childhood focused community organizations for the purpose of conducting an experience that will nurture a love for reading and learning in young children (0 – 5) and their families. Each grant program will require a parent/family activity focused around a book(s), and each child must receive a copy of the book related to the activity. The United Way will award multiple grants with each at a maximum amount of $1,000.
This grant program supports groups who have an interest in developing innovative literacy based programming and experiences for the families they serve, as well as those who want to provide increased exposure to early literacy. Parents are their child’s “first teachers,” and it is imperative to help build a strong connection with parents. Learning happens not only at preschool or at child care, but also at home. Research shows that promoting reading in early childhood development promotes brain growth and helps to prepare students for kindergarten. This grant opportunity is just one of many ways that Success By 6, an impact council for the United Way, mobilizes community resources to ensure that young children are provided with nurturing learning environments during the critical development years of birth to 6 in order to ensure that children enter school ready to succeed. All of their programs work towards the organization’s bold goal of moving 10,000 families out of financial struggles and into stability.
OECOSL is pleased to announce the fourth round of the Early Childhood Capacity Building grant opportunity based on the requirements of House Enrolled Act 1628 of the 2019 session of the Indiana General Assembly. OECOSL Request for Funding 20-002 seeks applications from 1) Indiana county/community coalitions containing early childhood education providers or 2) individual Indiana early childhood education providers interested in building their capacity to provide high quality early childhood education to eligible four-year-old children through either achieving a PTQ Level 3 or Level 4 rating and/or expanding the number of available seats for eligible four-year-old children. All applicants whether expanding seats or increasing their PTQ Level must have a plan to reach a PTQ Level 3 or 4 if they have not already attained this level.
For this round of the Early Childhood Capacity Building Grant Program, only county/community coalitions and/or individual early childhood education providers from the following Indiana counties are eligible to apply in our area: Brown, Greene, Montgomery, Morgan, Parke, Putnam, Randolph, Rush, Union, and Vermillion.
The application deadline for OECOSL RFF 20-002 is Friday, November 8, 2019, at 5 p.m. EST. Applications will be submitted through the Early Learning Indiana online platform.
To view or register for these training opportunities, log in to your I-LEAD account, then proceed to Indiana Learning Paths. Online sessions are also available within your Indiana Learning Paths account.
Other Professional Development Opportunities:
INSHAPE State Conference 2019
November 3 - November 5, 2019 | Grand Park Sports Complex, Westfield, IN
INSHAPE, Indiana's largest network of health and physical education professionals, is a primary source for professional development. They are the voice advocating in support of evidence-based health and physical education resulting in active learners and healthy students. The state conference offers over 100 innovative sessions, workshops and demonstrations. High-impact speakers share inspiring strategies. Networking opportunities foster the sharing of best practices. A partner showcase features new products and services from leading organizations. Special workshops on social-emotional learning, fitness, and standards-based curriculum for NFL Flag Football. Sponsored in part by the Indianapolis Colts. Register today!
Kids Count Conference
Early Childhood Investigations Webinar Opportunity
Children’s Lively Minds: Deb Curtis & Nadia Jaboneta Share Insights About Schema Theory
January 8, 2020 | 2 PM Eastern Time
FREE
Jean Piaget described a schema as a thread of thought which is demonstrated by repeated patterns in children’s play and suggested that children’s play is a reflection of deeper, internal and specifically directed thoughts. When children explore schemas, they build understandings of abstract ideas, patterns, and concepts. Children are keen observers, able to see the smallest details and possibilities in the world around them. They take in an abundance of information as a part of their explorations and have a remarkable, intuitive intelligence to try out actions repeatedly, through schema explorations. Often adults view these repeated actions as annoying and even unsafe. As toddler and preschool teachers, we often to stop a lot of this behavior. But as we have come to understand schema theory, we now appreciate these inborn abilities and our patience, excitement and commitment to do our best work on behalf of the children grows.
In this interview-style session, Master early childhood professionals, authors and play experts, Deb Curtis and Nadia Jaboneta will share stories of children’s play and identify the repeated actions and patterns (schemas), and think together about how this play is a reflection of children’s learning and development. Join us to enhance your own joy and appreciation of children’s lively minds.
CDA Expired? Take Advantage of the Upcoming Renewal Amnesty Program.
Six Key Points to remember about the cacfp
• Providing nutritious meals and snacks is the primary goal of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The mission of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is to provide Program participants better access to food and a more healthful diet through its food assistance programs. The program is NOT meant to reimburse institutions for 100% of their food service costs.
• CACFP is a Federal Program which requires accurate record keeping and program compliance.
• United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) FNS administers the CACFP at the national level. Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), School and Community Nutrition, is the State Agency (SA) that administers USDA Child Nutrition Programs in Indiana. The CACFP for Family Day Care Homes, Centers and Registered Ministries are administered through CACFP Sponsor Agencies throughout Indiana. The IDOE oversees these CACFP Sponsor Agencies.
• CACFP is regulated by Congress and the USDA.
• IDOE and CACFP Sponsor Agencies will conduct CACFP monitoring reviews in compliance with 7 CFR 226.6, the Code of Federal Regulations and IDOE policy and guidance. Program reviews are unannounced.
• Remember, for CACFP, if it is not documented, it didn’t happen!
Source: Indiana Department of Education School and Community Nutrition Child and Adult Care Food Program NEWS 4 U 2 USE
Children ages 0-5 least likely to be counted in 2020 Census: How we can change that?
According to the U. S. Census Bureau, children ages 0-5 are least likely to be counted in the 2020 Census. I am writing to suggest early childhood coalitions get involved with local Complete Census efforts and take a lead role in ensuring all families of young children complete the Census.
NAEYC says, “The US is currently at risk of under counting up to 1.5 million young children in the 2020 Census. Early childhood professionals have the opportunity to be leaders to ensure a fair and accurate count of the children and families in their communities.”
Federal programs benefit children, their families and educators themselves when children come to their classrooms healthy, well-fed, well-rested from being well-housed, and with CCDF vouchers in hand.
For more information and how you can help visit Counting Young Children in the 2020 Census
The Project Approach for All Learners
A preschool class with a wide range of abilities can be very challenging. How can you successfully reach and teach learners of all backgrounds and abilities?
A popular and proven teaching method, the Project Approach provides a framework that can work well in an inclusive classroom. Dual language learners or children with disabilities can work side by side with other learners, collaboratively within the context of the student-selected study.
Rather than providing a cookie-cutter solution, project-based learning can be individualized to meet the needs of each of your students. Learning is an exciting adventure, leading to authentic knowledge and engaging every child. Read more
Indiana State Museum PREK-12 Education Program Guide
Family Voices Driving Quality Child Care Choices
NAEYC: Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education Position Statement
Stay Connected:
Email: help@casyonline.org
Website: www.casyonline.org
Location: 1101 South 13th Street, Terre Haute, IN, USA
Phone: 800-886-3952
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