Highlights in this month's edition of "Monthly Minutes"

• Week of the Young Child
• Last Call to Register for Annual Celebration of NH Early Childhood Professionals
• Spring Trainings At-A-Glance Calendars
• Register for the Infant and Toddler Institute
• Annual Celebration of NH Early Childhood Professionals

Hello Providers!

With warmer air, longer days, and nature's revival, spring ignites a sense of renewal and growth. While change is possible year-round, there's something special about embracing it in spring. Whether it's the extra sunlight or the fresh start nature offers, we hope this season fills you with rejuvenation and vitality!

Our Outreach Specialists (CCRROs) are actively engaged in the community, participating in family resource events and assisting families at the District Office lobbies in their search for child care. If you notice that your waitlist is a bit lengthy for families' needs, feel free to direct them to our outreach services. They can receive a tailored list of child care referrals by calling our office at (603)-578-1385 Ext. 2531.

Our Training and Technical Assistance Specialists (TTAS) are gearing up for an exciting array of professional development opportunities, including the upcoming Infant and Toddler Institute and Family Child Care Institute. Registration is now open for both events, and more details can be found below. Additionally, we are actively planning the upcoming Keys to Quality Conference for spring! Stay tuned for further announcements, and we look forward to welcoming you in person!

We extend a heartfelt thank you for your dedicated efforts on behalf of families and children. Enjoy the latest edition of the Monthly Minutes!

~ Child Care Aware of NH

Child Care Aware of New Hampshire invites you to join us in honoring the dedication and commitment of the Early Childhood profession throughout New Hampshire.

The event includes guest speakers, awards, giveaways and recognition for those Early Childhood Professionals who have earned a credential under the NH Early Childhood Professional Development System. The individuals and teams who have successfully completed the Credential Challenge will be awarded their credentials.

Join us Monday, April 8th, 2024 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord.

Credential Incentive Program

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) Bureau of Child Development & Head Start Collaboration is awarding a $100 Amazon e-gift card to child care professionals who earn an Early Childhood or Afterschool Credential from DHHS between July 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024.

If you received your credential between July 1, 2023 - now, don't worry! You will be contacted with instructions to receive your reward. New credentials will be eligible until September 30, 2024 to receive the incentive.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Take a look at our Training At-A-Glance calendar! Packed with enriching sessions, these monthly calendars are perfect for childcare providers seeking learning and networking opportunities.

Explore the training opportunities available for April, May, and June, highlighted with our Early Childhood Collaboratives. You can find detailed session information on NHCIS or by reviewing the monthly Collaborative Topics provided below.

Just a friendly reminder that CCAoNH offers collaborative training sessions from September through June. We encourage you to plan ahead to ensure you will be able to meet any training hours requirements.

Join us on Saturday, April 6th 2024 from 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM for the Infant and Toddler Institute, Unlocking and Nurturing Communication for Birth to 3!

Lillian Hubler Tobin is the Founder and President of Time to Sign, Inc., and the foremost sign language trainer of young children’s educators, with having trained more than 305,000 educators nationwide.

Discover over 125 signs, including popular nursery songs and beloved stories and gain insights on developmental milestones and effective incorporation of sign language in various activities. Ideal for parents and caregivers for both home and classroom environments.

*Registration will close Wednesday, April 3rd at 11:30 PM*

This training will award participants up to three (3) hours of professional development. Training Hours count towards the 18 hours of annual required professional development needs. It also qualifies for three (3) hours needed for the Infant and Toddler Endorsement for the Early Childhood Professional Development System credential applications.

Join us on Saturday May 4th, 2024 for a jam-packed morning guaranteed to pack your toolkit with new and fresh tips and tricks.

First, we will discover how to seamlessly blend Social Emotional Learning into your curriculum while leaving room for pure fun! Join us for Melissa Davis' simple and effective tips and tricks. 

Wrapping up our day with the ladies you've been eager to meet! Join us to unleash your inner science geek, share some laughs, and dive into learning with the dynamic duo, TWO PUSHY DAMES! Kathy Gallo & LeeAnn Soucy explore a plethora of STEAM activity ideas for various ages, stages and interests.

This training will award participants up to three (3) hours of professional development.

Training Hours count towards the 18 hours of annual required professional development needs.

**Please note the change of location for the May 11, 2024 CPR & First Aid Training.

This session will be held at The Children's Place and Parent Education Center, 27 Burns Avenue, Concord, NH 03301. Register for this training through NHCIS.

An upcoming change of our services on the NH Connections website. CCAoNH has decided to streamline our communication channels by discontinuing the live chat feature. Although this change may impact how you access information, rest assured that our commitment to supporting child care providers remains our top priority.

The Live Chat feature on NH Connections will be available until Friday, April 19th, 2024.

Our team is here to answer questions, and provide resources for all your child care needs. Feel free to contact us by phone at (603) 578-1386, ext. 2526 and ext. 2532.

We all know that kids love to play in the mud, but is it safe?

Actually, mud play is beneficial to children’s health!

Numerous studies have shown that it can strengthen their immune system, and even reduce the likelihood of allergies and asthma.

Playing with mud offers a rich sensory experience for children, incorporates math and science concepts, and provides children with many opportunities to use their fine and gross motor skills, and practice their language and social skills as they play and work with their friends. It can take a little planning about where and how to offer mud play, and, of course, some effort for the clean-up, but it is well worth the bit of extra work involved.

You can even try setting up a “mud kitchen”, and then watch to see how engaged children become! Just provide some old pots and pans, mixing spoons and spatulas, bowls, plates, platters... whatever you can find! If possible, give kids a raised flat surface, like a table or stumps, then provide some water and dirt or sand, and watch the fun and learning begin!

Check out these articles for more information and inspiration!

Child Care Accelerate is an innovative business support program designed to help New Hampshire child care providers optimize their business operations in two months. Our customized coaching journey allows us to partner with providers on their self-identified goals and priorities and share tools to improve their operational efficiency, build financial capacity and sustain a competitive edge. At program completion, providers are well-equipped to offer accessible and affordable services to meet the demand in their community, support future leaders, and fuel our economy.

The Opportunities to Succeed (OTS) Grant for $5,000,000 is to address child care provider business and facility expenses identified in the Child Care Provider Business Health Assessment and the Family Child Care Provider Business Health Assessment.

OTS grant applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, based on child care provider progress through Child Care Accelerate and the Family Child Care Provider Business Health Assessment Program. Grant funds are “first eligible, first funded”.

The Pyramid Model (PM) is a framework for implementing a culturally responsive and equitable multi-leveled system of supports designed to enhance social and emotional competence of young children, promote the development of supportive program policies and practices, as well as providing early care and education providers with practice based coaching to ensure that evidence based practices are integrated and used with fidelity

To learn more about Pyramid Model implementation in New Hampshire contact Joan Izen, [email protected]

Join New Hampshire Children’s Trust in celebrating Prevention Month, a time to recognize the strengths of families and the communities that uplift them! Every April we have the opportunity to not only acknowledge the challenges families face, but also celebrate their incredible resilience. Family is New Hampshire’s best investment, and together, we can build strong communities where every child and family thrives.

Show your support by wearing blue on April 5^th for Wear Blue Day. Take a picture and upload to your social media using the hashtag #WearBlueDay2024.

Ever wondered how you are prevention? Check out New Hampshire Children’s Trust’s 2024 Resource Guide to learn how you play a role in creating safe and nurturing environments for children, and how else you can support NH families.

To learn more, log into or register for free on the SELA Platform at www.selanhmembers.com or use the QR below. You will receive approval of your registration within one business day. Once you log in begin with the START HERE tab.

QUESTIONS? Email [email protected] or schedule a half hour Zoom with us using this link https://calendly.com/jcowell-2/30min?month=2022-11 or use the QR code.

Child Care Aware of NH is a statewide Child Care Resource and Referral Program of Southern New Hampshire Services. The preparation of this newsletter was financed under a Contract with the State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services, with funds provided in part by the State of New Hampshire and/or such other funding sources as were available or required, e.g., the United States Department of Health and Human Services.