School Age/Youth Development Workshop

Please join us on January 24^th, Marion County from 6:30pm -8:30pm

Indiana Youth Development core competencies outline the best practices for people who work with children and youth, providing a strong framework for successful youth work. Understanding Child/Youth Development is a crucial part of that frame work. This 2 hour workshop will explore school-age child/ youth developmental stages, observation and assessment methods, discuss the importance of recognizing individual differences and hone guidance skills. This workshop is competency based and will help you continue to meet the diverse needs of the children and youth you serve.  There is no cost for this training and space is limited!  Please register by contact Joslyn at jsullivan@childcareanswers.com

Attention All Directors

Maximizing Your Management Skills
A Child Care Directors’ Forum
Friday, February 8, 2013
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
(Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.)
Cost: $35.00

Lunch will be included.

Brown County Inn
51 St. Rd. 46 E.
Nashville, IN 47448

For location information please visit:
http://browncountyinn.com

Preregistration required.
Deadline is January 25, 2013.

For conference information, please contact:
Sally Lacey
IACCRR
317-924-5202 ext 233slacey@iaccrr.org

Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy, MATINEE SCHOOL SHOW

MATINEE SCHOOL SHOW


THURSDAY, JAN. 24 at 10:30 a.m.
 
Tickets ONLY $11.25

CLICK HERE to order tickets.

Please use the CODE: SCHOOL

Once there Please click on “FIND TICKETS” in the link above

to get the school code to work properly.

FOR ORDERS OVER 10 TICKETS, RECEIVE 1 FREE CHAPERONE TICKET FOR EVERY 10 PURCHASED @ $10 PER TICKET BY CALLING LISA, 317/888-0963.

DEADLINE TO CALL LISA IS 1/18/13.

“Quit Acting Like a Baby” Age Appropriate Discipline

Don't miss this interactive training-                                      Thursday, 1/3/2013, 6pm-8:30pm, in Brown county

Reflect on the ways you perceive children’s behavior and what you bring to the table from your experiences. Which behaviors are age appropriate and how do we guide children to gain the skills they need? Bring an open mind and find ways to accept that you have the option to change your attitude! $10. CEU certificate given once homework is completed*** Click below to register... http://www.childcareanswers.com/Jan-Feb-March_2013.pdf 

Crises and Disasters

Resources for Parents and Professionals

In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook shooting and Hurricane Sandy, communities (and families) are left to pick up the pieces and try to cope with devastating losses. Check out Child Care Aware® of America’s crisis and disaster resources page. They have information for parents,  , child care providers,  child care providers, and Child Care Resource and Referral agencies
. From quick child care damage assessment tools to federal agency assistance (FEMA, HHS, SBA, USDA, SAMHSA and HUD) to resources related to mental health for children and families.

Social Emotional Teaching Strategies training

Please join us! 

There will be a Social Emotional Teaching Strategies training on January 15 from 6:00 pm- 8:30 pm in Johnson County. Come get a sneak peek into Promoting Social and Emotional Competence While Reducing Challenging Behaviors. This session is to get you thinking about challenging behaviors and how you can help prevent them in your preschool children. Some problem solving, communicating emotions appropriately and building friendship tips will be shared.

Please contact Sarah for more information 317-636-5727 Ext. 245.  

Second Setting Credential Process Ends on May 31, 2013

Anyone interested in obtaining a Second Setting Credential under the present Council Guidelines must apply by May 31, 2013. 

Starting on June 1, 2013, under the new CDA 2.0 Assessment System a second full credentialing process will be necessary to obtain a credential in a different setting.

For further information, please contact Vilma Williams via email at vilmaw@cdacouncil.org  or by phone at 202-265-9090 ext. 225

Spread the Word So Families Don't Miss Out on Tax Credits!

ECEC is partnering with the National Women’s Law Center to ensure that you, your staff, and the families enrolled in your program are aware of the state and federal tax benefits that they may be eligible for.

When you file your state and federal taxes in 2013, make sure you know about how you, your staff and families can receive:

• Up to $2,100 from the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit for families that pay for child care when they go to work.

• Up to $1,000 per child from the federal Child Tax Credit for families raising children.

• Up to $5,891 from the federal Earned Income Tax Credit for eligible low-income families that is designed to boost wages for families.

The National Women’s Law Center developed a handy toolkit with all the information you need to get started. Hang a flyer in your center, make sure parents are filing tax returns, and let them know there is free tax preparation assistance available.

Spread the word about these tax credits for working families in your state!

PS - Visit the Put Child Care on the Map campaign page for ideas from across the country and helpful tools, and then let us know how you put child care on the map for your Member of Congress!

More Than Mud Pies/ Happy Mealtimes

Saturday, January 12th from 8am-1pm
Training held in Marion County.

The National Food Service Management Institute will be conducting the training. Training topics will include dealing with picky eaters, managing food allergies, meal time transitions, and developing a nutrition curriculum for preschoolers.

The training is primarily geared towards home providers but open to all. The training is a free training. Please contact Joslyn at jsullivan@childcareanswers.com to register.

The CDA Renewal Amnesty Program ends December 31, 2012!

Be sure to take advantage of this special offer today! 

• Have you let your CDA expire?
• Have you continued your professional development or earned a degree?
• Do you want to stay connected with the CDA Community of early childhood professionals?

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.

The Council's Renewal Amnesty Program allows those who have earned or renewed 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 go to www.cdacouncil.org

Online Early Childhood-Directors Management Training

Get the management training you need to support your program from your own desk in your own office!


You may register for one or all four modules.

• Each module is 4 weeks long.

• Each week includes one hour of online time together (webinar presentation and discussion).

• There is a Pre and Post Assignment for each webinar, 1 hour each.

• Each module totals 12 training hours.

• All four modules (16 weeks) total 48 training hours.

• Registration cost includes training materials.

• Full series registration includes a copy of the Program Administration Scale.

• Completion of full series has a CEU option for a small additional fee.


2013 Webinar Schedule (4 wks): Module:

January 15-February 5, Tues. 1-2pm Focus on Business Operations

February 12-March 5, Tues. 1-2pm Focus on Staff

March 12-April 2, Tues. 1-2pm Focus on Children

April 9-April 30, Tues. 1-2pm Focus on Leadership



Cost: $15 per Module or $50.00 for the Full Series

Registration due date: December 21, 2012 (registration is limited to 25 participants)

*Must have a high speed internet connection to participate.


TO REGISTER:

Complete the registration form and return with payment

Attention: Traci Marshall,

Indiana Association for Child Care Resource and Referral

3901 N. Meridian Street, Suite 200

Indianapolis, IN 46208

Questions? Call 317.924.5202

toll free 1.800.299.1627 ext. 230 OR tmarshall@iaccrr.org

Immediate Release: Crib Safety Information

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

CPSC has released important information regarding crib safety standards set to take effect December 28, 2012 for child care providers, hotel/motels and places of public accommodation. The Enforcement Guidance for Child Care Providers document is posted on CPSC’s Crib Information Center at http://www.cpsc.gov/info/cribs/index.html ,

Reptile- and Amphibian

 Interesting article... 

Reptile- and Amphibian-associated Salmonellosis in Childcare Centers, United States.  Please review your child care regulations regarding pets in the classroom. 

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/18/12/12-0784_article.htm

Start the New Year off right!

Start planning now to stay on track for renewing your Child Development Associate Credential (CDA).  Remember that you must complete 45 hours of training equivalent to 4.5 CEUs.   

Please check out our training calendar and be sure that you enroll in sessions that offer the CEU.  All classes that offer CEUs will have homework requirements.  Visit our website www.childcareanswers.com for the listing of our upcoming trainings.

Please contact Vanessa or Joslyn at 317-636-5727 with any questions. 

Save The Date 12/5/12

Please join Child Care Answers on December 5,2012 for Sign Language for Infants and Toddlers.  The session will be held in Brown County from 6:30pm to 8pm.

Participants will learn how hearing children benefit from learning sign language and when and how to start signing with children in child care. Participants will also receive information and resources on how to involve parents in the signing process. 

The cost is $10 per person and registering is required.

Please contact Joslyn Sullivan at 800-272-2937 or jsullivan@childcareanswers.com for more information. 

Support for children during stressful events

Sudden disasters, such as hurricanes and severe storms, can create anxiety and fear in children. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers online resources to assist child care providers and parents in caring for children during stressful events.

Disaster Preparedness to Meet Children Needs
http://www2.aap.org/disasters/adjustment.cfm

Children Product Recalls

Eddie Bauer Bassinets
About 97,000 Eddie Bauer rocking wood bassinets have been recalled because the bottom locking mechanism can fail to lock properly if a spring is not installed, allowing the bassinet to tip to one side and cause infants to roll to the side of the bassinet. This poses a suffocation hazard to infants. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled bassinets and contact Dorel Juvenile Group to obtain a free repair kit. Call toll-free (877) 416-0165, or visit the website and click on Safety Notices.

ValcoBaby "Joey" boosterAbout 975 ValcoBaby "Joey" booster toddler seats for strollers have been recalled because spring button mechanism securing the booster toddler seat to the baby stroller can disengage, allowing for the carried toddler to fall. Consumers should stop using these toddler booster seats immediately and contact ValcoBaby to arrange for a free replacement attachment mechanism. Call toll-free (800) 610-7850 or visit the firm's website.

Balancing Work and Family Child Care

It is inevitable that parents have to work, and their children must go to an early learning program.  Time seems to fly by, and the days seem shorter and shorter.  It can be very tough balancing your family and work life.  The challenge I have is to try to create a little bit of time before and or after the child is dropped off at their early learning center. 

As parents you may miss out on many things durning the day, so stay a bit at the early learning center.  See what type of toys or equipment that your child is exploring.  Observe to see if your child likes to play alone or with others. Does your child like to explore with younger,older, or like age children?  Do they like to explore with boys or girl?  Is your child comfortable?  Linger a little while longer.  You may see your child in a new light, in a different environment. 

Use the resource of the early learning center teacher.  Your child's teacher gains a lot of knowledge about your child while you are are work.  Ask them how you can help them with the growth of your child.  Ask them if you can come in and help them out during their day.  The more comfortable the child's teacher is with you the more information they share with you about your child.  It is very important to gain a healthy relationship with the teacher that your child is with eight plus hours of the day.  The more time you can spend in your child's classroom, the more time you spend with your child!

It is very true that balancing family and work is difficult, but you are not the only one experiencing that.  You can also use other parents and staff you work with to help come up with ideals for balancing family and work.  In the world we live in, it is fast paced, but take time out to enjoy your family!

Intersted in starting a CDA Class?

Seeking your CDA credential is a big commitment and requires that you invest time attending and participating in class for 10 months, one night a week, 6:30-9:30 pm and one Saturday a month for 6 hours.

Interested in upcoming classes.... call Vanessa, 317 636-5727 ext. 241 to sign-up for one of these CDA Info-Sessions (each location is conveniently located with easy access off the highway)
Select one of the CDA Info-Session for you and your director to attend
• Tuesday, October 30th , 7-9 pm, Calvary Temple Church- 2901 N. Post Road, Indianapolis, IN 46219
• Monday, November 5th, 7-9 pm, Purpose of Life Church- 3705 Kessler Blvd, N. Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46222
• Tuesday, November 13th, 7-9 pm, YMCA- 9012 E. 126th Street, Fishers, IN 46038
• Thursday, November 15th, 7-9 pm, Hope Baptist Church- 1055 N. Girls School Road, Indianapolis, IN 46214
• IUPUI Greenwood, Thursday, TBA

Join Child Care Answers for an awesome event:

Come and hear the amazing story

“The Legend of Spookley The Square Pumpkin”

with a special appearance by

Spookley, this children’s book star!

This spook-tacular event will deliver a message of tolerance and kindness to young visitors.

Plus, kids can decorate mini pumpkins and enjoy a chance to win Spookley themed prizes.

Saturday, October 20

1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Center Court in front of Macy's

Kids…don’t miss this special event that will help you understand

that the things that make you different are what make you special!

In partnership with

BullySafeUSA™ is launching

BullySafeIndiana, a statewide public education outreach campaign in collaboration with The Villages and Prevent Child Abuse Indiana to distribute an effective anti-bullying curriculum to public and private schools and Indiana communities.

Spookley the Square Pumpkin © and

TM/® Holiday Hill Enterprises, LLC

Stop by our table and meet our Inclusion Specialist, Sarah Bailey, and our Outreach Specialist, Cheryl Tyler.  We'll have lots of great information and some candy too! :)