Child Care Aware® of America supports Administration call for high-quality preschool

Child Care Aware® of America Share


Child Care Aware® of America supports President Barack Obama's call for high-quality preschool throughout the states and commends his focus on our nation's youngest children. "The President very clearly called for initiatives that strengthen families and promote stronger communities," said Lynette M. Fraga, Ph.D., Executive Director of Child Care Aware® of America. "We look forward to working with the Administration and Congress on a comprehensive approach to early learning that begins at birth and crosses America's diverse array of early childhood settings, including child care," said Fraga. "It's time for a national conversation about school readiness that begins with a birth through age five strategy." Read the press release here.

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

    

With volunteer effort, PNC banks on kids

PNC bank officials recently made their 1,800 Indiana employees an offer that's somewhat unusual in the financial realm.

Essentially, they said workers can take 40 hours over the coming year -- paid time during the workday, no less -- and volunteer at a local preschool. They can read to children, help them learn their numbers, build playgrounds or splash a new coat of paint on the walls.

But once the employee completes those 40 hours, PNC takes community involvement to a level not often seen: The company will make a donation to the preschool on behalf of its employee.
For $1,000.

The e-mails had barely circulated before 83 employees signed up, with more joining the effort each day. That's potentially 3,320 volunteer hours and $83,000 -- and counting. And it isn't some sort of window dressing project being circulated so quietly that nobody notices. Each employee received a starter kit with a bag of information and T-shirts.

Midlevel managers are urging their underlings to join them in volunteering as a group activity. And PNC Regional President Stephen Stitle, in addition to sending an e-mail urging everyone to participate, is planning to lead the parade by example.

(taken from 2/6/2011 - Indianapolis Star article- written by Robert King)

Here is the link for the complete article
http://www.indystar.com/article/201102060245/NEWS1003/102060358

NAEYC Resources for Preschool Teachers: In Spanish and English

NAEYC Resources for Preschool Teachers: In Spanish and English
Teaching Young Children is NAEYC’s colorful, easy-to-read magazine for busy preschool teachers. Available in English and Spanish (as Tesoros y Colores), each issue offers practical ideas you can put to use immediately in your classroom. Be sure to visit the TYC Web site to read articles, become a subscriber, and to network with other teachers through discussion boards.

Supervisors, staff development specialists, and center directors can use NEXT: The Teaching Young Children Staff Development Guide with teachers to support further learning. NEXT suggests ways to build on content while encouraging teachers to adapt and apply appropriate ideas in their own classrooms. NEXT is available in Spanish as NEXT: La Guía de Tesoros y Colores para el desarrollo professional.

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naeyc/tyc_vol1issue1/