Announcing the CDA Renewal Amnesty Program

Many professionals who earned a CDA earlier in their careers let it expire years ago and are no longer eligible for renewal, despite their continued work and training in early childhood education. Some have gone on to earn a Bachelor or Associate degree but find value in staying connected to the CDA Community by renewing their CDA.
CDA Renewal Amnesty Program. . .
Beginning March 1, 2012, the Council will launch the Renewal Amnesty Program, which will allow anyone who has earned a CDA in the last ten years to apply for Renewal, even if their CDA has expired. This means that if your CDA has a credential date of January, 2002 or later, you are eligible for Renewal Amnesty. This program will only last until December 31, 2012 so don't delay… Renew your CDA today!

CDA Renewal Requirements:
- 4.5 CEUs or 3 college-credit-hours of training within the last 5 years
- A recommendation from an ECE professional who is familiar with your professional work
- A pediatric first aid certificate
- Membership in an ECE professional membership organization
- A brief letter from a supervisor testifying that you have worked at least 80 hours in the past yearBuy a Renewal Packet now click here.

Take a Moment to Reflect on... Safety

In our last article we discussed the importance of intentionality. We said that the ultimate purpose for being a reflective practitioner is to become an intentional practitioner; in other words, teachers or caregivers who regularly think about what they do can be purposeful in the choices they make with children, families, coworkers and supervisors.

Safety
The Council is excited to announce that later this year we will release the newly-revised third edition of the landmark textbook Essentials for Child Development Associates Working with Young Children. The new Essentials will provide all of the most current research, information, ideas and strategies needed by entry-level early childhood professionals. The textbook will be organized around each of the thirteen Functional Areas, along with new information about reflection, intentionality, observation, documentation and other key topics of interest to contemporary teachers and caregivers.

Here is an advanced sneak peek of “Chapter 1: Safe” for you to reflect on…

Providing a safe environment for children is the starting point of every quality early childhood program. If children are not safe in your program, it makes no difference what kind of curriculum you offer. Children cannot learn if they are afraid, in danger or unable to trust that nothing bad will happen to them while in your care. Ask any parent with a child in preschool or child care what their most important concerns are and safety is almost always at the top of the list - right up there with accessibility and affordability. Children's safety is your first priority as a caregiver or teacher and a responsibility you cannot ignore

In order to keep young children safe you must:

Be sure that the physical environment is safe. This means checking both your indoor and outdoor play spaces every day to confirm that they are hazard-free and that they conform to recognized standards for safety.
Teach and prepare children to be safe in their everyday lives. This involves learning about safety rules and being introduced to specific safety measures.
Have well-thought-out emergency plans in place. This also involves preparing children to face unknown emergencies so that you can reduce danger and injury.
Model safe practices. This means demonstrating for children how to behave in ways that are safe and how to stay calm when emergencies arise.
Invite parents to be your partners in keeping their children safe. This is important because it shows children that safety is valued both by you and at home.

Please take a moment to reflect on your own teaching practices. What else might you add to the above list? How do you ensure children’s safety? What tips and strategies would you share with others for teaching safety practices, for keeping children safe, for modeling safe practices and for educating and involving families in their children’s safety?

Send your thoughts to reflect@cdacouncil.org

Toddler death at Unlicensed Registered Child Care Ministry

My name is Mindy Bennett and I am the Director of Programs for Child Care Answers the Child Care Resource and Referral agency that services Central Indiana. We are a free service that helps parents locate and evaluate child care options for their children. In January alone we helped over 800 families with their child care search. We have a database of over 1300 child care providers that we provide training and mentoring opportunities to.


I want to respond to the reports that a Toddler drowned in a baptismal pool at a local Unlicensed Child Care Registered Ministry. This is a horrible tragedy that could have been prevented!

The staff at Child Care Answers works daily with child care providers training them and providing on site technical assistance to ensure that children are kept safe while their parents work or attend school. We have an Infant Toddler Specialists that is a free resource to child care providers who can provide specific training on issues related to infants and toddlers.

In Indiana Child Care Ministries are not required by law to be licensed, however we do have some who have volunteered to meet additional health and safety standards. Praise and Fellowship Assembly of God Church, the child care provider in this case, was an Unlicensed Registered Child Care Ministry. Indiana’s Unlicensed Registered Child Care Ministries are not required to meet staff to child ratios nor are they regulated to meet specific group size requirements. In addition, Unlicensed Registered Child Care Ministries do not have supervision requirements that they must meet. For an easy to read chart about the regulation requirements for the different types of child care in Indiana please visit this link: http://www.childcareanswers.com/PDF_Docs/FacilityRegulations.pdf


Several bills were introduced this legislative session and the last session that would have addressed some of the differences in regulations between the different types of child care in Indiana but they did not make it out of committee. To read more about the legislative efforts for change please visit Child Care Answers’ Legislative Education Center http://advocacycca.wordpress.com/ and the Indiana’s general assembly’s Interim Committee on Child Care’s page http://www.in.gov/legislative/interim/committee/care.html


I know that this incident has left families scared and confused about leaving their children in child care. Child Care Answers is here to help families with our free services during this troubled time. We have a team of specialists that can help families with their specific questions about child care and how to tell if a program is providing safe, quality care. We are only a phone call away; you can reach us at 317-631-4643. Parents can also find valuable tools on our website at http://www.childcareanswers.com/.

Breaking the Cycle Conference

Each year, Prevent Child Abuse Indiana works hard to bring together experts in the field of child abuse prevention and provide informational, motivational and educational sessions for its annual "Breaking the Cycle Conference".
Mark your calendars now for April 3, 2012 for what promises to be a great event! This year we bring Educational Consultant Dr. Ray Golarz and Inspirational Educator & Author Stacey Bess to the conference as the keynote speakers to be held at the Hilton Indianapolis North Hotel.

Conference Brochure & Registration Link
The complete brochure and online registration is also available on our website ~ www.pcain.org
You may need CEU's - this year we are offering FREE CEU's to LSW's and LCSW's. But for those that just need training hours -- Training certificates will be available at the conference.

Literacy Activity

Write letters or numbers on a chalk board, then encourage children to "paint" over the chalk with water and a paint brush.

Cutting up: Fine motor activities to help develop scissor skills

Most of kids love to cut with scissors. They are very excited about the results they create, the action, and the fact that they are using a tool that is often off limits! Parents usually approach this skill with trepidation. We present scissors at about 35 months. Usually preschoolers have never had scissors in their hands and when you are not quite three, it can be a challenge. Here are some simple items we incorporate into many different activities to help teach scissor skills.

• 
  Tongs in all kinds of play such as stacking blocks


• Use an eye dropper to paint and play in water


• Use a hole punch for crafts and paper play


• Clip clothes pins or kitchen clips to the edge of a container

http://creativeconnectionsforkids.com/2011/01/cutting-up-fine-motor-activities-to-help-develop-scissor-skills/

Monday News from IAEYC

2012 Indiana Early Childhood Conference Updates!
IAEYC is extending the Early Bird registration deadline until February 29th!

Early Bird rate for NAEYC members affiliated with Indiana AEYC is only $80! (Friday & Saturday general conference; registration for Thursday Pre-Conference not subject to discount
View the Preliminary Program now!
- Deadline for Regular Rate: Mar. 1 - April 13 (Postmarked) or April 20 (Online)- After April 20 On-site rates apply

Art for children

Art for children: it ain’t what you make…

These photos were taken last week while L was painting and really remind me what art for children is all about. She had so much fun playing with the paint and was very focused on what she was doing. There was no chatting – which is unusual for L! – she was really in the moment, enjoying and creating.
Art for children is all about the process. It’s about making your mark, trying new materials, experimenting with the colours, shapes and feel. It’s about gaining confidence and taking risks. It’s about fun and enjoying the moment.
There was no end product in L’s art – she was not interested in keeping the final painting at all. For her it was all about the doing.
We’re resolving to try lots of new art materials this year and to try all sorts of techniques.
Just for the doing.
http://nurturestore.co.uk/art-for-children

I came across this blog on PINTEREST. I think its serves as a great reminder to us that it is about the experiences for the children, not the finial piece of art. We shouldn't place boundaries on children of what their art should or shouldn't look like. The title says it all "Art for children: it ain’t what you make…" it isn't what we make, it is what they make. We also need to remember to let the children explore with various mediums with their art, and let them get messy. Who know's maybe they are the next Pablo Picasso's of our future.

100 Ways To Be Kind

100 Ways to be kind to your child CreativeWithKids.com Tell to your child:


1. I love you.

2. I love you no matter what.

3. I love you even when you are angry at me.

4. I love you even when I am angry with you.

5. My love for you can reach you wherever you are.

6. If I could pick any 4 year old (5 year old...) in the whole wide world, I'd pick you.

7. I love you to the moon and then around the stars and back again.

8. Thank you.

9. I enjoyed playing with you today.

10. My favorite part of the day was with you when we… Tell them:

11. The story of their birth or adoption.

12. About how you cuddled them when they were a baby.

13. The story of how you chose their name.

14. A story about yourself when you were their age.

15. A story about how their grandparents met.

16. What your favorite color is.

17. That sometimes you struggle too.

18. That when you're holding hands and you give three squeezes, it's a secret code that means, "I love you".

19. What the plan is.

20. What you're doing right now. Play:

21. Freeze Tag

22. Uno

23. Crazy 8s

24. Gin Rummy

25. Memory

26. Go Fish

27. I Spy- especially in the car when you’re tired and feeingl snappish.

28. Catch Pretend:

29. To catch their kiss and put it on your cheek.

30. That their tickle tank is empty and you have to fill it.

31. That their high five nearly knocks you over.

32. That you are super ticklish.

33. That you are explorers in the backyard.

34. That it's party day! Decorate for no reason! Try:

35. To get enough sleep.

36. To drink enough water.

37. To eat decent food

38. Wearing earrings or whatever makes you feel pretty.

39. Calling friend the next time you feel like you are about to lose it with the kids.

40. Giving a gentle touch to show approval.

41. Dancing in the kitchen.

42. To get your kids to bop to the music with you in the car.

43. Showing your kids that you can do a somersault or handstand or a cartwheel

44. Keeping that sigh to yourself. Just jump in and help clean up cheerfully.

45. Using a kind voice, even if you have to fake it. Read:

46. A book of silly poems.

47. A book and then act it out. (Like "I'm going on a Bear Hunt")

48. Your favorite childhood book to them.

49. When the afternoon is starting to go astray.

50. Outside under a tree.

51. In the library kids corner.

52. The comic book they love that you're not so hot on.

53. About age appropriate behavior so you can keep your expectations realistic. Listen:

54. To your child in the car.

55. To that Lego description, and think how important it is to your child.

56. For that question that indicates your child really needs your input.

57. A second longer than you think you have patience for.

58. For the feelings behind your child's words. Ask:

59. Why do you think that happens?

60. What do you think would happen if______?

61. How shall we find out?

62. What are you thinking about?

63. What was your favorite part of the day?

64. What do you think this tastes like? Show:

65. Your child how to do something instead of banning them from it.

66. How to whistle with a blade of grass.

67. How to shuffle cards- make a bridge if you can!

68. How to cut food.

69. How to fold laundry.

70. How to look up information when you don't know the answer.

71. Affection to your spouse.

72. That taking care of yourself is important. Take Time:

73. To watch construction sites.

74. To look at the birds.

75. To allow your child to help put ingredients in the bowl.

76. To walk places together.

77. To dig in the dirt together.

78. To do a task at your child's pace.

79. To just sit with you child while they play. Trust:

80. That your child is capable.

81. That you are the right parent for your child.

82. That you are enough.

83. That you can do what is right for your family. Delight your child:

84. Clean your child's room as a surprise.

85. Put chocolate chips in the pancakes.

86. Put a love note in their lunch.

87. Make their snack into a smile face shape.

88. Make sounds effects while do something.

89. Sit on the floor with them to play. Let Go:

90. Of the guilt.

91. Of how you thought it was going to be.

92. Of your need to be right. Give:

93. A look with Kind Eyes to your child.

94. A smile when your child walks into the room.

95. A kind touch back when your child touches you.

96. The chance to connect before you correct so that your child can actually hear your words.

97. Your child a chance to work out their frustrations before helping them.

98. A bath when the day feels long.

99. A hug.

100. Your turn- how can you be kind to your child today?

Make Your Own Paint With Water Pages

Make your own water color paper

Just opened the tube of paint and put a little dot of each color on the pages. Then let the paint sit to dry.
After a couple hours the dots had hardened up nicely.

http://creativewithkids.com/make-your-own-paint-with-water-pages/

Spice Painting

Spice Painting

I thought it would make a great group activity as well! So I told everyone to raid their spice cabinet for old spices (no hot spices) and bring a bottle or two of white glue. I poured a bit of glue into tiny plastic cups and added water to dilute it, then we let the kids help add the spices to the glue. Then the fun began!



http://www.playcreateexplore.com/2011/12/childrens-art-group-spice-painting.html

Turning School Glue Into Paint

It simply takes a few drops of food coloring, in a half empty bottle of glue. The amount of food coloring, depends on the shade you want, but a few drops go a long way.

Fresh glue can be added on top of the food coloring, to fill the bottle up to 3/4s of the way full, leaving room at the top, so the glue can be mixed together with the food coloring. I usually turn the bottles upside down for a while, to let the color blend all the way through...

Sensory Steps

Just glue plastic, wash clothes, make-up sponges, fur fabric, squishy wash netting, etc to cardboard. When it dries, cut around edges. Glue shelf liner on the other side. And you are done.Enjoy hours of activities!!!

Recycling the Old and Dry into Liquid Gold

1. Rubber-banded 5 or 6 dried out water-based markers of a similar color together.
2. Then I poured water into glass baby food jars below the screw top area.
3. Put the color tips of the markers into the water and just let it be. If you look closely at the green jar you can just see the color gliding out of the markers and sinking to the bottom. It was fun to watch and I showed several of my students whose classes attended that day.The longer it sits the better. I had a few jars that sat all school day (8 hours) and another set that sat all night long. Both turned out well. 2 to 4 hours isn't near enough time.
4. Discard markers, and enjoy the water color!

http://amanda0480.blogspot.com/2011/05/recycling-old-and-crusty.html

Kiwi! Banana's! & Mandarin! Oh My!

Class Room Arrangement

CDA Student Angela Lynn Hard at Work on her assignment.

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY GAME TIME!

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY
GAME TIME!

Events for Sunday, February 5th 2012
Super Care Clinic
12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Union Station
The Super Care Clinic is a full-service urgent care visit center operated by a coalition of Indianapolis-area healthcare facilities. Physicians and nurses from Community Health Network, Franciscan St. Francis Health, Indiana University Medical Group Primary Care, St. Vincent Medical Group, and Indiana University Health, will be available to treat illnesses ranging from coughs and colds to minor injuries. Individuals requiring more advanced treatment can be quickly transported to area hospitals.

The Huddle After Hours Club
10:00 PM - 03:00 AM
Super Bowl Village
The Huddle After Hours Club is open to the public and will be an ultra lounge destination featuring top shelf cocktails, an exclusive VIP area and entertainment.

SportsCenter (ESPN)
09:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Pan Am Plaza
SportsCenter broadcasting live from the ESPN Broadcast Studio on Pan Am Plaza.
Sunday Countdown (ESPN)

10:00 AM - 02:00 PM
Pan Am Plaza

Sunday Countdown broadcasting live from the ESPN Broadcast Studio on Pan Am Plaza.
Super Bowl Village
11:00 AM - 12:00 AM

Georgia Street
Celebrate football in Super Bowl Village! Enjoy live music, entertainment, food and beverages and more in this outdoor festival! Entrance is FREE.

The Huddle
11:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Super Bowl Village
The Huddle will provide entertainment and dining options for visitors. It will also contain the LIDS Locker Room with a wide assortment of Super Bowl and NFL merchandise.

Zipline
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Super Bowl Village
Experience the 80' tall and 800' long Zipline in the outdoor Super Bowl Village. Tickets purchased on-site at the Zipline Launch Tower (258 S. Capitol Ave.) are $10 and on a first come, first served basis. Zipline is operated by Ziptrek Ecotours.

Roaming Street Entertainment
11:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Super Bowl Village

Roaming street entertainment includes magicians, balloon artists, and jugglers.
LIDS Locker Room @ Circle Centre
11:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Super Bowl Village

Located right in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, the temporary retail space will be transformed into a fan destination with activities and autograph session opportunities, as well as a wide selection of officially licensed AFC, NFC and Super Bowl XLVI apparel and memorabilia. End time today is TBD.

Ice Gurus From the Food Network
11:30 AM - 02:30 PM
Super Bowl Village
Randy Finch and Derek Maxfield from the Food Networks show Ice Brigade, will do live ice sculpting performances.

National Anthem by Phillip Dain Powell
11:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Super Bowl Village
Phillip Dain Powell sings the National Anthem. The Color Guard will be presented by the Indiana Army National Guard.
Indiana Reggae Band
12:00 PM - 01:00 PM

Pepsi Stage
Indiana Reggae Band will perform on the Pepsi Stage on America's Super Game Day in the Super Bowl Village. This is a free event.

NBC Game Day Show
01:00 PM - 03:00 PM

Super Bowl Village
Bob Costas will host the NBC Sports pre game show in the Super Bowl Village.
Whitney Coleman
01:30 PM - 02:30 PM

Pepsi Stage
Whitney Coleman will perform on the Pepsi Stage on America's Super Game Day in the Super Bowl Village. This is a free event.

DJ Rusty
03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Pepsi Stage
DJ Rusty will perform on the Pepsi Stage on America's Super Game Day in the Super Bowl Village. This is a free event.

Ice Gurus From the Food Network
05:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Super Bowl Village
Randy Finch and Derek Maxfield from the Food Networks show Ice Brigade, will do live ice sculpting performances.

SportsCenter (ESPN)
10:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Pan Am Plaza

SportsCenter broadcasting live from the ESPN Broadcast Studio on Pan Am Plaza.
PrimeTime (ESPN)
10:30 PM - 11:30 PM

Pan Am Plaza
NFL PrimeTime broadcasting live from the ESPN Broadcast Studio on Pan Am Plaza.
SportsCenter (ESPN)
11:30 PM - 01:30 AM

Pan Am Plaza
SportsCenter broadcasting live from the ESPN Broadcast Studio on Pan Am Plaza.

Signing Time Workshop

Signing Time Workshop

With Rachel Coleman

Friday, April 27, 2012

6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Indiana Convention Center, Hall H

100 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see Rachel Coleman, Emmy-nominated host of Signing Time!, live and in person. Rachel will use songs, signs and group interaction from the

Signing Time series to teach families and children the power that comes from learning how to communicate using American Sign Language (ASL). In addition, she will tell her inspiring story of being the mom of two children with special needs. Join her for a meet and greet after the show too!

Registration: $15.00 for Individual  $25.00 for Family of 5 or less

To register, go to http://www.utsprokids.org/ For more information contact Janice at 317-472-5602 registration@utsprokids.org



Free Webinars

IACCRR

Free Webinars!

We hope you and your staff take advantage of this FREE opportunity. The trainings are delivered via the internet- no need to leave your site. All topics are relevant to early childhood, and will help you meet Paths to QUALITY annual in service training hours. Topics will include, Universal Precautions, Early Childhood Careers, Disability Awareness, Physical Activities, Math, Social Studies, and more. More than 10 webinars to choose from each month. Webinar times are convenient to you. 1:30-2:30 p.m. EST

Get a full list of monthly trainings here, then call 1-800-299-1627 to register!

Poison Prevention Class

• Do you teach injury prevention programs for preschool and/or elementary school children?
• Are you looking for a new safety topic?
• Would you like to promote poison safety in your own community?

If you answered “yes” - the Indiana Poison Center can help you teach poison safety.

Who? For people who teach injury prevention programs for preschool and elementary school children.
How long? 3 hours. Provides poison prevention background for the instructor, how to effectively teach
poison safety to children and how to get the safety message home to parents.
How much? The workshop is FREE
Where? Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis
When? Wednesday February 22nd from 12:00-3:00 p.m.
 
Registration is limited to 10 Please contact Barbara Cole to confirm that an opening is available.
(317) 962-9248 bcole@iuhealth.org

NASA Ignite! Training Mission

NASA Ignite! Training Mission

Enrolling: Certified Teachers, Preservice

Teachers, and Afterschool Educators

 

When: March 17, 24, and April 28, 2012

Where: Marian University,Marian Hall Upper lobby (old Civic Theater area)
Time: 8:30-5:00
Topics:
Day 1, March 17 – Rocketry - rockets and discussion of expectations and responsibilities for the teachers (a "flight plan," so to speak)
Day 2, March 24– Astrobiology - life science (the body in space, NASA's search for other life in the universe)
Day 3, April 28- Space exploration (our near neighbors in the solar system and then moving beyond to comets, stars, and how we get there)

Cost: $75 (includes training, 3 lunches and teacher materials)

Seating is limited! Make checks payable to Marian University NASA Workshop

Commitment: Participants will commit to attending all 3 workshops and some additional training throughout the year facilitated by NASA educational consultants. Participants will be invited to teach hands-on activities at summer programs in the Indianapolis area. The Marian University Summer Learning Institute will provide a stipend for those who participate in summer teaching opportunities.

Reservation: Dr. Judy Bardonner, Director, Center for Community Learning,
Marian University; (317) 955-6545 jbardonner@marian.edu

Next Steps: Life After First Steps

Don't Let Your Child's Transition to Preschool Get Messy!

Sometimes children may still need therapy after they have completed the First Steps Program. The next public option for children older than three years of age to receive therapy services is through the special education preschool program provided by every local school district.

Join us for the "Next Steps: Life After First Steps" free, informative meeting that will help you understand what services are provided by your local school district and the process to access these services. This event will also allow you to meet and greet available school representatives from local school districts in Hamilton, Hendricks, Johnson, Marion, Morgan, and Tipton Counties.

At this event, you will be able to:

• Get your questions answered about Preschool Special Education Services
• Learn about School Bus Services and see the type of bus your child could ride
• Tour a Special Education Preschool
• Witness a mock case conference
• Gather resources from various programs and services
• Participate in a "make it & take it," hands-on preschool activity

Date: February 8, 2012

Time: 5:30 pm

Location: Fishback Creek Public Academy

                 8301 West 86th Street

                 Indianapolis, IN 46278

YOU MUST RSVP TO Kathy at 472-6104 by 2-1-12

    

Hidden Sugar in Food Labels

The Many Names of Sugar

Want to cut down on the sweet stuff? You have to find it first.
By Heather Lee

If you feel like your eating is out of control, one of the most important steps you can take is to reset your taste buds' sensitivity by avoiding flavor overload, says weight loss expert David Katz, MD, director of the Yale Prevention Research Center. That means cracking down on hidden sugar in foods that you don't even think of as sweet--such as pasta sauce or potato chips.

Unfortunately, sugar hides behind many different names on food labels. Here is a list of its aliases:

• sucrose
• fructose
• glucose
• dextrose
• galactose
• lactose
• maltose
• invert sugar
• raw sugar
• turbinado sugar
• brown sugar
• confectioner's sugar
• granulated sugar
• corn syrup
• high-fructose corn syrup
• honey
• maple syrup
• molasses

FREE Stewards of Children Training

Join the Movement to End Child Sexual Abuse

Stewards of Children is a powerful sexual abuse prevention training program that educates adults to prevent, recognize, react responsibly, and take courageous action.

Visit: www.mccoyouth.org/Intervention/stewards-of-children.html or contact Shanna Martin at
shanna.martin@Mccoyouth.org or 317-921-1233 for more information about Stewards of Children trainings.
2012 Trainings:

• February 11, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• February 21, 1-3:30 p.m.
• March 15, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• April 3, 8:30-11 a.m.
• August 7, 1-3:30 p.m.
• November 13, 8:30-11 a.m.

How do you connect with Child Care Answers?

Child Care Answers offers several ways to keep up with our trainings and community events.

• Check out our Facebook page
• Follow us on Twitter @childcareanswer
• Subscribe to our Legislation Education Blog for up to date information about Legislation impacting youth.
• Check out our website for the latest Training Calendar and to register for classes.

Have You Considered a Career in Child Care?

A career in child care can be a very rewarding choice. As a licensed home provider you can make a difference in the lives of children as well as owning a business. Child Care Answers wants to help you get started by offering FREE training classes as well as assisting you with community resources and other classes to help you succeed as a child care provider.

Did you know that Johnson and Hendricks county has a strong need for more licensed child care providers? In 2011 Child Care Answers had 426 families in Johnson and Hendricks county searching for child care but only has 132 providers available in that area.

Child Care Answers Resource and Referral Agency is a local agency serving Hamilton, Hendricks, Johnson and Marion County. Child Care Answers offers FREE training for individuals interested in beginning a child care business. Those interested in starting up a licensed center, home or registered ministry can register to attend an orientation class through us or take the class online at http://www.iaccrr.org/portal/?#tabs-training. This class gives a general overview of child care in Indiana and resources in the community. Child Care Answers also offers classes to help in advertising your child care business and record keeping. The training calendar is published four times a year and includes upcoming classes offered by Child Care Answers and early childhood education classes in the community.

For licensed child care providers a mentoring program is available to help guide them as they advance levels in Paths to Quality, Indiana’s voluntary quality rating system for child care. Classes are also available to help with guidance and discipline, stress prevention for caregivers and Exploring the Foundation to Indiana Academic Standards.

A copy of Child Care Answers training calendar can be viewed online at http://www.childcareanswers.com/. Once there, click on the provider tab and then the “training” link on the right hand side.

Exciting Opportunity to Make Visuals

Join our Inclusion Specialist, Tory Masters, for an exciting Make and Take It session on Saturday, January 7th. The session begins at 9:30 am and for an hour I will go through all the visual supports and how to use them with children, then for another hour or so, I will give you time to make those visuals. The cost is only $5 per person! Below is a list of what I will have available for you to make:

• Tucker Turtle’s social story for handling frustration
• A visual schedule (please bring photos of your children following your daily routine to use if you want to use them!)
• Center Control
•  Stop Signs
•  Solutions Kit for problem solving
•  Emotional Check in

It will be a fun filled morning and we have limited seats. Once you register and payment and finalized, we will give you all the final details of the day! Feel free to register a friend and pass this information along to others! You must be completely registered and payment received by Thursday, January 5th!