Upcoming Give Away!

Tell your friends about the blog!!!
We are eagerly awaiting our 1,000th hit to the blog and as soon as we do, we will have our first give away!

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Second Shift Work

I know that a lot of the providers I speak with provide care outside of the "6 to 6" time frame. I also get questions on how to drum up business for second shift. After speaking with a provider today I want to offer my suggestions to all of you who read the blog:

• Pass out your business cards at area restaurants. Give your card directly to the manager and your server. Let them know that if they are ever in a pickle and need care that you are available. Involve the management staff so that if they have a server they know is having child care issues they can recommend you as well.


• Be on the look-out for businesses that are open after 6 PM. When you are out doing errands keep your eyes peeled. Besides the traditional businesses of healthcare, police, fire departments, look at gas station convenience stores, fast-food establishments, retail workers, any business that is open past 6 PM. Again deal directly with staff and management, they know the people that work for them and what their needs are.

If you have successfully launched your second shift - let us know what you did to succeed - post in the comments section. We look forward to hearing and passing your ideas along!

CDA RENEWAL OPPORTUNITY

STILL TIME TO SIGN UP!

The start date for the Child Care Answers CDA renewal session : "Challenging Behaviors, Laying the Foundation for Success" has been pushed back. We cannot begin this training until we have met a minimum number of participants. There is still time to register.

If you need to renew your CDA certificate, or are interested in learning more about positive guidance and discipline and Positive Behavior Support systems, please contact our office for information about this exciting training opportunity.

The class is slated to be held on the north side of Marion County from 6:30-9:30 PM on Tuesday evenings.

For registration information please contact Vanessa Fletcher at 636-5757 X 241.

STILL TIME TO REGISTER

The Indianapolis Area Chapter of Indiana AEYC is hosting a training series based on the Foundations to the Indiana Academic Standards. Participants will observe and participate in activities that support the Foundations. Participants will take home new ideas and earn .25 CEU's per session (CEU's sponsored by Ivy Tech and can be used for any professional continuing education requirement that recognizes university credits - including CDA renewal).

Sessions run from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at The NMC Building Fourth Floor auditorium at Ivy Tech in downtown Indianapolis. Pre-registration is required, however there is no registration deadline for the individual sessions. Fee is $10 per session.

January 31, 2009 - Orientation to the Foundations to the Indiana Academic Standards
(This session is the same presentation as the Child Care Answers training. If you have already attended this training through Child Care Answers or another of the CCR&R agencies, simply mail in a copy of your certificate and you can receive .25 CEU's.)

February 28, 2009 - Math/ Science Foundations

March 21, 2009 - Social Studies/ Physical Education and Health Foundations

Date TBA (either April 18 or April 25) - English Language Arts Foundations

May 16, 2009 - Visual Arts/ Music Foundations.

Participants can attend any one session, or all sessions. Copies of the Foundations to the Indiana
Academic Standards will be included in the registration fee for the FIRST session on January 31. If you do not attend this session you are responsible for bringing your own copy of the Foundations.

For registration information please contact Diane Smith at Ivy Tech. dlsmith@ivytech.edu or 317-917-5986.

Free Ministry Childcare Training

Don't miss this great training opportunity. . .The Indiana Family and Social Services, Division of Family Resources, Bureau of Child Care (BCC) presents two FREE trainings… call Child Care Answers 317 636-5727 ext 241 to register.

VCP Ministry Provider Orientation Training ~ This 1½ hour Voluntary Certification Program (VCP) Orientation training will discuss what a Voluntary Certification Program is, how a ministry may apply, and the benefits of participating in the VCP. Additionally, the training will touch on meeting Paths to QUALITY Level 1 standards for registered ministries.
Tuesday, January 27th – 6:30 – 8:00 PM ~ Plainfield Public Library, 1120 Stafford Rd. Plainfield
Tuesday, February 17th – 5:00 – 7:30 PM ~ Living World Church Youth Center, 2130 Riley, Indianapolis

Food Borne Prevention Training ~ this 3½ hour training is an informal Food Service Sanitation and Safe Food Handling Course. Topic of discussion will include an overview of Food Safety; Food borne Microorganisms and Food Allergens; Purchasing, Receiving, and Storage of Food; Food Preparation, Cooking and Storage; Facilities, Cleaning and Sanitizing & Pest Management; and an overview of Kitchen Staff Personal Hygiene. Time will be made available for questions and answers after the training. This course meets the BCC food service training requirements as outlined in the ministry Voluntary Certification Program (VCP).
Thursday, February 19th – 5:00 – 8:30 PM ~ Living Word Church Youth Center, 2130 Riley, Indianapolis

Building a Bias-Free Child Care Community in Indianapolis!

The Anti-Defamation League presents
The Miller Early Childhood Initiative of
A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute
Building a Bias-Free Child Care Community in Indianapolis!

January 31, 2009 from 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.
February 28, 2009 from 9:00a.m. to 12:00p.m.

The A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute is pleased to offer this workshop opportunity for early childhood educators and child care providers. Learn to create and sustain bias-free child care environments that encourage children to appreciate diversity and live, work, and play together!

Participants who complete both workshops will receive 1 CEU or 10 in service hours, and all participants will receive free anti-bias resources to use in the classroom.
This program is free of charge to all participants.

If you are interested in participating, or would like more information, please contact Dawn Steele with the ADL at 773-718-7699. To RSVP, contact Angielena Williams at 317-731-7421/info@playdatescdandpt.com.

Workshop will be facilitated at Play Dates Education & Training located at 1498 N. Post Road, INDPLS, IN 46219.

To learn more about the Miller Early Childhood Initiative of the Anti-Defamation League’s A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute, please visit the website at www.adl.org/education/miller.