The students in the Early Childcare Program are actively working on certificate training necessary from the State of Colorado for early childhood providers. We currently have students certified in the following areas :

• Universal Precautions
• Food Handlers Card
• Recognizing, Responding, and Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

This month Ms. "C" will be introducing our simulation baby program where the students will learn first hand how difficult it is to care for an infant. More information to follow about this favorite activity in the Early Childcare Program.

Be sure to donate to our "Toasty Toes" sock drive for Homeward Bound shelter. Bring a new pair of infant/toddler/youth size socks to donate beginning on Nov. 9th through Nov. 19th to keep Mesa County's children feet warm. A box will be placed in front of the office doors to drop your socks as you enter the building. For those who would prefer to donate to a more local cause a separate box will be labeled for children in our own Career Center Preschool room. Let's keep each other warm!

Early Childcare Program

We encourage parental involvement in the Early Childcare classroom. Parents can help in the following ways:

• Read emails/visit Parent Vue

• Encourage your student to tell you about weekly and daily assignments

• Online daily check-in and attendance are an important work skill. Please encourage your child to virtually attend every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and to check-in with staff on Tuesday and Thursday staff office hours. This is a time when your child can get their questions answered one on one. If your child must miss please be sure to call our attendance office at 970-254-6000 Ext 21500.

Bianca Gifford and Gigli Holmes both independently completed grant applications which they learned about through the Early Childcare Program at the Career Center. A part of the Career Center's program goal is to open up possibilities and career opportunities for students who may not take a traditional pathway. Through collaboration with the Mesa County Early Childhood Partnership this opportunity was opened up to them. Each girl will receive a crash course leading them through the Child Development Associate certificate in early childhood. This is a nationally recognized credential for childcare workers. They will, upon completion of this certificate, be qualified to work as an assistant teacher in the early childhood field. In addition, this certificate and class is the "stepping stone" to further traditional coursework on the pathway to becoming a lead teacher in a preschool program or further.

Each student is entitled to $600 for course work ,books, and mentoring in the field. As a piece of the experience, they will have the opportunity to explore developmentally appropriate equipment and purchase that equipment with $375 each for the Career Center's Colorado Preschool Program where they will be doing an internship. "Hands on" learning at its best with two talented students who are on a pathway to teach some of Mesa County's youngest! Career Center is so proud of these two students and what they have accomplished in such a short period of time.

Bianca Gifford has been in the Early Childcare Program for the past two years. Bianca is currently a Junior with a full schedule of classes. Initially, ECP wasn't her first choice for a career but after spending time in preschool she has discovered that she "loves it"! She is interested in pursuing her education at WCCC in Early Childhood Education. She sees the opportunity that this grant has given her and is willing to rearrange her current class schedule so that she can fully participate in this learning venture. Always cheerful and optimistic she has shown that she has great potential and will be an asset to any early childhood program.

Gigli Holmes has been in the Early Childcare Program for the past two years. She is currently a Junior. While in the preschool classroom she has shown that she can command the classroom environment and assist young children in many areas of their growth and development. Gigli works well with students who have different abilities with her intuitive style. She is all about adapting to the environment and helping wherever is needed. This grant opportunity she sees as a challenge to her own abilities, but one that she is facing with determination and perseverance.

WAY TO GO CC ROCKSTARS!!!

Students have returned from Spring Break and have headed right into our curriculum on "How to get the job you want." The first week back we spent time improving our job seeking skill sets in preparation for the SWAP Job Fair on April 8th. We are ready to get to work as our resume is already written and our "10 second interviews" are fast approaching. We've learned how to "Dress for Success" and have filled out mock "Job Applications". We are confident and feel we can find the job we want!

We look forward to a smooth month of April and will continue to challenge and motivate our early childcare students. We are hoping to offer some outdoor science and math experiences with actual preschool children in the next month. The students already are thinking about a science or outdoor activity they could do to inspire their outdoor world.

Amethyst will begin a two-year paid apprenticeship, balancing employment as a paraprofessional with high school coursework along with concurrent enrollment options. This is a collaboration with the CMU Education Department for guidance and possible credit options. By design, students will continue to work as a paraprofessional throughout college, transitioning to the role of classroom teacher within the district upon graduation.

Amethyst will spend a portion of the school day working as a paraprofessional at her assigned school, averaging 12 to 16 hours per week, getting paid through existing district budget dollars for unfilled para roles.

The Early Childcare Program is so proud of this young lady who is always prepared, polite, productive and professional. Amethyst Correa is the embodiment of what the Career Center’s Early Childcare Program goals are all about.