News from the Rhode Island Child Care and Early Learning Facilities Fund

Sponsored by the Permanent Legislative Commission on Child Care, advocates, community partners, supportive legislators, educators, parents, and dozens of babies and toddlers took to the State House to advocate for high quality child care and proposed tiered reimbursement rates on May 16, 2018 for the 7th Annual Child Care Awareness Day.

To help showcase what a quality child care space looks like, the Facilities Fund team converted the Bell Room at the State House for use by more than 40 tiny advocates. Thanks to a generous donation of materials and furnishings by Kaplan Early Learning Company, we were able to transform this grand, marble space to a welcoming environment for learning and play. 



Even Senator Michael McCaffrey (left) and Representative Scott Slater (right) wanted to join in on the fun.

If you are interested in learning more about what furnishings should be including in your early learning space, take a moment to peruse our Child Care Center Equipment and Furnishings resource guide.

Certified Playground Safety Inspector Course

For the second time in three years, the Child Care Facilities Fund, in partnership with the Rhode Island Recreation and Parks Association, hosted the National Recreation and Park Association C ertified Playground Safety Inspector's Course from May 2nd to May 4th.

This three day, intensive, hands-on training for over twenty five people (which included landscape architects, designers, buildings and grounds maintenance staff, playground manufacturer representatives, operators/caretakers, and insurance adjusters) covered topics such as:

Time was also spent better understanding the factors that contribute to playground injuries, as highlighted here:

Poor maintenance was the number one item that contributed to playground injuries, but also one of the easiest to avoid if a "standard of care" is developed for your playground.

The best way to avoid hazards due to poor maintenance is to check your play space frequently and carefully for anything out of the ordinary.

On a daily basis the site should be quickly scanned for the following types of hazards before use:

In addition, before the playground is used, a staff member should ensure that the fencing and gate(s) are secure and all pathways are cleared. In adverse weather, the site may also require clearing of snow, ice, or standing water before use.

On a weekly or more frequent basis, the site should be more carefully checked for the following types of possible hazards:

You should also ensure that there are signs located on or around any play structure to guide playground supervisors on the age appropriateness of equipment. In addition, all relevant paperwork should be readily available (certificates of compliance, product data, most recent inspection/audit, etc.).

Educare Central Maine wanted more than just a new playground at their school. They wanted to create an outdoor space that would challenge and engage their children. This space would encourage movement, and offer “as many opportunities as possible for children to connect, discover and explore their natural environment more,” said Rhonda Kaiser, School Director for Educare Central Maine.

In fall of 2016, Kaiser and staff began working with a licensed landscape architect to develop a plan to ensure the play space was designed to best serve their children and staff.

Now, the children have an enriching outdoor space that gives them a chance to immerse themselves in a sensory-rich environment. The space includes sand and water features, walkways, grass and a mix of flowers and berry bushes. There are also places for children to use their imaginations as they escape into a tunnel or climb the stumps to the top of the hill.

The playground is designed to support optimal learning opportunities for children within the first, essential years of brain development.

Coming Soon - New Online Learning Module on Child Care Development and Financing

One of the biggest hurdles in developing an early childhood center is knowing where to start. We are currently developing our third online learning module dedicated solely to facilities development and financing, focusing on:

This session will be released in the early summer months- stay tuned. Until then we currently have two online modules available, each worth 3 early childhood professional development hours.

About RICCELFF

The Rhode Island Child Care and Early Learning Facilities Fund (RICCELFF) is an innovative public-private partnership dedicated to expanding access to quality child care and early education opportunities throughout Rhode Island. The RICCELFF provides the capital and technical expertise that child care and early learning centers need to improve the quality and capacity of their physical space. The RICCELFF provides a combination of training, technical assistance, grant funding and flexible, affordable financing for a wide range of indoor and outdoor projects including minor renovations or construction of new, state-of-the art facilities and playground spaces.  Click here  to learn more about what the RICCELFF can offer your program.

LISC Rhode Island Child Care & Early Learning Facilities Fund | 146 Clifford Street

Providence, RI 02903 |  [email protected]  |  riccelff.org