April is Family Strengthening Month!

• April 5th - Wear Blue to show your support (Learn More)
• April 6th - 12th - Week of the Young Child (Learn More)
• April 11th - Family Event at 4-C! (Facebook Event Page)

Tag 4-C @localchildcareexpert on Facebook and Instagram

Use #familystrengthening to join us in celebrating families

4-C staff Brianne and Marlo attended the Early Childhood Resource Fair & Wild Rumpus on March 2nd.

Marlo says, "Had a good time yesterday! There were lots of adorable children having a great time playing! Gave out resources to families and made connections for future collaborations. Thank you for coming out Brianne!"

Want to invite 4-C to your event?

FREE Family Event!

Join us for a free Family Event! Learn more about 4-C's free family programming: play groups, Parent Cafés, child care referrals, and more!

Tour our Resource Room and learn how to borrow toy kits & storytime backpacks. Enjoy light refreshments and meet other parents in our community. Thanks to the Verona Lions, free vision screening for kids 5 and younger will be available!

Thursday, April 11th

5pm - 7pm

At 4-C

5 Odana Court, Madison, WI 53719

For Child Care Providers

Attention ALL Child Care Providers!

A Chance to Win Prizes!

Each day you fill out your vacancy survey you'll be entered to win one of these prizes:



• Monthly: Five lucky winners will each receive a $25 gift card!
• Every 60 days: One grand prize winner will be awarded a $150 gift card!

Questions? Contact Christie Voigt at [email protected]

Attention:

Group Child Care Providers

It's time for the annual Wages, Benefits, & Staffing Survey!

Complete survey by May 10th, 2024 and your name will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of the following prizes:

• 2 $500 Amazon gift cards
• 2 $100 Amazon gift cards
• 5 $50 Amazon gift cards

Child Care Provider Support Groups

Are you looking to connect with other child care providers?

Check out our list of support groups!

Training Opportunities

4-C offers high quality trainings and career growth to early care and education professionals at various stages of their professional development.

Upcoming trainings include:



• 4/9 - CPR/AED

• 5/9 - CPR/AED

• 5/11 - Strengthening Families through Early Care and Education with Mandated Reporter (Virtual)

Inclusion Conference: Supporting Neurodiverse Early Learners

Gain a deeper understanding of how you can support young children with autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, and other neurodevelopmental diagnoses at this day-long conference full of presentations from 4-C staff, community organizations, and early childhood professionals.

Resources:

Early Childhood Health Consultation - FREE webinars, podcasts, and services

Child Care Provider Resource Guide from the Department of Children and Families

Tuesday Talks with DCF's Division of Early Care and Education (Información en español)

The National Early Care and Education Workforce Center - elevating ECE workforce

For Families

FREE Online Parenting Classes

From the creators of Raising Wisconsin's Children comes a series of free online parenting classes held on the third Thursday of the month at 1pm.



• April 18th: Teens, Screens, and Social Media

• May 16th: Learning Life Skills Through Household Chores

Learn more and Register

4-C is looking for Parent Volunteers to help us with our family-centered programming.

Learn more through our United Way of Dane County Volunteer Your Time profile, or contact our staff directly.

Parent Café

4-C in partnership with Imagine That! Art Studio (Waupun)

Are you a parent interested in talking with others who understand the struggles and triumphs of parenting? Join us for one or all three upcoming Parent Café sessions at Imagine That! Art Studio in Waupun.

April 16th

• Tending to Your Garden: Social Relationships as a Parent

April 23rd

• Nurturing the Seeds to Grow Strong Families

April 30th

• Making Lemonade: Finding Hope in Everyday Struggles

We'll provide FREE child care, dinner, and a safe space to have meaningful conversations about parenting.

Registration Required

Play Groups!

Playful Acorns & 4-C (Middleton)

• April 4th
• Lakeview Park Shelter 6300 Mendota Avenue Middleton
• Registration Required

4-C is partnering with Playful Acorns to offer Play Groups for children ages birth - 5 years in communities across Dane County. More events coming soon!

Register

University Houses Preschool Free Monthly Preschool Playgroups! (Madison)

• April 13th
• No Registration Needed

Playgroups are outdoors in nice weather otherwise they are inside. Come along to play, chat, and sing with your little ones. Talk to other families while the kids enjoy the toys and dramatic play area. Bring your friends! Everyone is welcome at this free, fun event. Parents accompany children. Masks are optional.

Learn More

The Five Strengths

Learn more about the 5 Strengths that research shows benefit every family and explore ways to grow them within your daily life.

Be Intentional:

• Learn about different aspects of the Five Strengths
• Explore and do things that build those Strengths
• Ask yourself regularly how strong you think each family Strength is
• Remember that Strengths ebb and flow as circumstances change
• Talk about the Strengths and share them with others
• Allow trusted friends and family to describe the family Strengths they see
• Encourage others to help you to strategize and stay motivated

Resources:

UW Extension - Parenting and Family Relationships

Vroom.org - boost your child's learning with free tips

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Plain Talk for Parents

4/4 - Play Group - Playful Acorns & 4-C (Middleton)

• Lakeview Park Shelter
• Registration Required

4/6 - Fort Atkinson Children's Share and Care Fair (Fort Atkinson)

• Learn More

4/11 - 4-C Family Event (Madison)

• Learn More

4/13 - UPH Playgroup (Madison)

• University Houses Preschool
• Learn More

4/27 - GiGi Fit Acceptance Challenge 5k FUN run (Monona)

• Registration