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 Pennsylvania's Kindergarten Entry Inventory Refined for Third Year Pilot
With the Pennsylvania Kindergarten Entry Inventory (KEI) currently midway through pilot year three, the 2012 KEI was revised based on 2011 pilot participant feedback and a statistical analysis of the reported outcomes, providing teachers with a greater understanding of individual student needs.
The inventory went from 76 items to 30 items and four health, wellness readiness indicators. In addition, recommendations from the Federal government concerning the addition of a Health, Wellness and Physical Development domain were considered and the Health, Wellness and Physical Development domain was added. The addition of this domain provides a more comprehensive understanding of students' school readiness and looks at the independent factors of hunger, attendance, and wellness. In addition, analysis concluded that the 30 items in the survey show high levels of internal reliability and perfect internal consistency.
Recognize Child Care Teachers for their hard workDeadline December 6
Child care teachers can earn the recognition they deserve with the Terri Lynne Lokoff/Children's TYLENOL� National Child Care Teacher Awards, which acknowledges the important role they play in the lives and development of young children. The award is also sponsored by Children's ZYRTEC�.
Fifty child care teachers are presented with this award annually. Winners receive $1,000 - $500 to implement their award-winning classroom project and $500 for personal use. Of the 50 recipients, one receives the Helene Marks Award and is named the National Child Care Teacher of the Year and receives an additional $1,000. All winners are brought to Philadelphia as guest of the foundation to be celebrated at a special ceremony in their honor on Thursday, April 3, 2014.
Applications and guidelines for the 2014 Terri Lynne Lokoff/Children's TYLENOL� National child Care Teacher Awards may be obtained at the Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation website. Deadline for submission is December 6, 2013.
The Affordable Care Act: What It Means for Children, Families, and Early Childhood Programs
Beginning in 2014, 48 million uninsured Americans will have new opportunities for health insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Early Childhood Program staff and their families may be eligible for health insurance coverage. The new Health Insurance Marketplace is the place to find information about how to apply for coverage, including Medicaid and CHIP.
Some early childhood providers are also small businesses. Small employers will be able to choose from a range of coverage options for their employees through the Small Business Health Options Program, or SHOP. Eligible employers may qualify for a tax credit worth up to 50% of the employer's premium contribution to a SHOP plan. Learn what small businesses need to know about the SHOP Marketplace. Nominations accepted for the 2014 Champion of Change Advocacy awards
Deadline October 31
The NDSS (National Down syndrome Society) is currently seeking nominations for its 2014 Champion of Change Advocacy awards. As part of the annual NDSS Buddy Walk on Washington, those in the Down syndrome community who work tirelessly throughout the year as advocates, leaders and change makers in the area of advocacy for people with Down syndrome will be honored.
NDSS Champion of Change awards are in five categories:
- A self-advocate
- An individual leader (this could be an affiliate leader, parent/family member, professional, expert etc.)
- An NDSS DS-Ambassador
- A Buddy Walk� group or organization that incorporates advocacy into its event
- A Down syndrome advocacy group or organization
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Early Learning on College Campuses
To support the participation of more low-income parents in higher education, the U.S. Department of Education recently awarded nearly $9.2 million to 58 postsecondary institutions--include three in Pennsylvania--to establish or support campus-based child care services. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania College of Technology, and Northampton County Area Community College were Pennsylvania recipients.
Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program supports the participation of low-income parents in postsecondary education through the provision of campus-based child care services. Funds are used to support or establish campus-based child care programs primarily serving the needs of low-income students enrolled in institutes of higher education. Grants may be used for before- and after-school services. In addition, grants may be used to serve the child care needs of the community served by the institution.
Pennsylvania families who meet income guidelines and work 10 hours and go to school or train for 10 hours a week may be eligible for Child Care Works Subsidized Child Care Program for assistance with child care expenses.
For additional information on the Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program, visit the Department of Education website. For information about campus-based child care services, please contact the individual institute of higher education. You can also find out more about Child Care Works at the PA Department of Public Welfare website.
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PA's Promise Week Three Infographic: Check out the Week 3: Your relationship with your child is the foundation he/she needs to grow and thrive infographic for PA's Promise for Children Month, celebrating quality early education and the families, teachers and leaders that help our young children reach their promise every day. Print and give to your partners, families and friends, show on your website, share on your social media outlets, or pin to your Pinterest account!
Health Link Online, Fall 2013: The fall 2013 edition of Health Link Online is now available. This edition contains information on Seasonal Reminders about Influenza and Lice; Environmental Health Update; Staff Health Warning; Asthma Prevention and more!
Keystone Kids Go! Newsletter: The Keystone Kids Go! initiative is pleased to announce the publication of their Keystone Kids Go! Families moving together for fun and fitness newsletters. This series of 12 month seasonally based newsletters encourages families to get up and move toward a healthier lifestyle.
Strong Start, Bright Future: Helping Your Child Succeed in School: The US Department of Health's brochure highlights early learning in a bilingual Spanish/English publication for parents and families. It provides parents with the latest research and practical information to help them support their children and ensure their children's success in school and in life. It also builds upon the idea that all children benefit from quality early learning programs and effective preschool experiences.
Child Care Technical Assistance Network: The U.S. Office of Child Care (OCC) recently launched its Child Care Technical Assistance Network (CCTAN) Web site. The site is a one-stop shop for all materials from the CCTAN National Centers and features resources created by OCC's technical assistance (TA) network on a variety of topics related to the administration of the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program.
Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention for Young Children: The Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention for Young Children (TACSEI) takes the research that shows which practices improve the social-emotional outcomes for young children with, or at risk for, delays or disabilities and creates free products and resources to help caregivers and service providers apply these best practices in the work they do every day. TACSEI also supports the implementation of the Pyramid Model for Supporting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children which is a tiered intervention framework of evidence-based interventions for promoting the social, emotional, and behavioral development of young children.
Success By 6 can help centers achieve Keystone STAR 3 in Delaware, Montgomery or Philadelphia Counties. Success By 6� (SB6) of the United Way of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey is a free quality improvement program that helps STAR 2 centers improve quality one step at a time. SB6 assigns a TA consultant to your center who visits weekly over 18 months providing coaching and support for directors and teachers. SB6 also provides funds for improvements, Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) assessments and leadership support for directors.
Apps for Kids with Special Needs: Search and browse for the perfect app using this comprehensive review guide from Friendship Circle of Michigan, a non-profit organization that provides programs and support to the families of individuals with special needs. Categories include apps for learning, speech and language, communication, scheduling, games and more. You can also subscribe to a weekly digest of what's new.
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American Association of School Librarians: One grant will be awarded to support the planning and implementation of an innovative program for children that motivates and encourages reading, especially among struggling readers. Projects should promote the importance of reading and facilitate literacy development by supporting current reading research, practice, and policy. In addition, projects must be specifically designed for children (grades K-9) in the school library setting, encourage innovative ways to motivate and involve children in reading, and demonstrate potential to impact student learning. Deadline February 1
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Did you know?
More than 18,200 people have signed the PA's Promise Declaration because they believe quality early learning needs to be a priority for Pennsylvania
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Community Events
October 16: PA's Promise Month Capitol Exhibit and Press Event, Harrisburg
October 18 & 25: Preschool Story Time at Oil City Library
October 20: Miracle League of the South Hills and Casey's Clubhouse First Annual Halloween Party, Upper St. Clair
October 20: 1st Annual Keystone Child Care Providers Fall Festival, Clearfield
October 21: Free Child Screening, Lock Haven
October 21: Wayne Pike Resource Fair, Hawley
October 22: Please Pass the Pumpkin Preschool Story Hour at Coudersport Library
October 22: Celebrate PA's Promise for Children Month, Danville
October 23: Parent Youth Professional Forum: ACA & Relevance for Families with Special Health Care Needs, Cannonsburg
October 24: Family Fun Night, Fall Festival, Easton
October 24: Day of Play, St. Marys
October 26: Armstrong UNPLUGGED, Kittanning
October 29: Halloween Tales Preschool Story Hour at Coudersport Library
October 31: Costume Parade and Family Event to Celebrate PA's Promise for Children Month, Centre County
November 4: Parent Youth Professional Forum, Scranton
November 9: Early Kindergarten Registration at Mifflin Co. School District |
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The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) promotes opportunities for all Pennsylvania children and families by building systems and providing supports that help ensure access to high quality child and family services.
Find more about Quality Early Learning in Pennsylvania
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The Early Childhood Education e-news is a project of the Pennsylvania Build Initiative and the Pennsylvania Departments of Education and Public Welfare to inform early learning professionals, the early childhood community, policymakers, community leaders and the public on developments in early childhood education and care in Pennsylvania.
Please feel free to forward this email to friends, family, and colleagues.
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