ECEAP programs are being developed for use in family childcare homes. The advantage to the children is that the child will not be shuttled from home to child care, to ECEAP facility, back to child care home, back to child’s home. Often children who are eligible for ECEAP have issues and the less transitions for them are important. Also, this will allow ECEAP to reach eligible children who live in isolated areas or who do not have ECEAP resources in their neighborhood.
The process to become qualified is:
- The home must be EA rated a 3 with a 4 on the horizon.
- Provider must have a two-year degree with the prospect of a BA.
If you are interested you can make an application to ECEAP. An observer will visit, explain how the program works and if you are interested will help you put together a program portfolio. Your site will be voted on by an ECEAP board. If you pass, you will be assigned a program manager and a family support manager. Providers meet once a month to collaborate.
An advantage for those in the EA program is that due to your support team it will show bachelor support in merit. You will also have wrap around support for children in need and your program manager will put together parent programs for your childcare. You will be given TS Gold and Creative Curriculum (a $2000+ value). You will have access to Second Step (an emotional curriculum), Cavity Free Kids and High 5 (a steam program). At this point in time nine providers are participating in the program with three thinking about it.