Roses are red, violets are blue, February’s here, and we’re here for you! 💕

At Child Care Aware of New Hampshire, we’re thrilled to keep collaborating with you to inspire growth, build quality, and support your program’s success. Together, we can continue shaping bright futures for NH’s little ones and their families!

This month, we’re serving up tools, tips, and resources to warm your heart and strengthen your program—because even in winter, growth is always in season.

Enjoy this February edition of Monthly Minutes!

~ Child Care Aware of NH

Winter days are perfect for exploring, creating, and tinkering indoors! Tinkering is a playful and open-ended way to engage children in STEM learning while fostering creativity, problem-solving skills, and hands-on exploration. Gather everyday materials like cardboard, tape, or LEGOs, and spend time experimenting together—whether it’s building a bridge, designing a maze, or simply seeing what you can create. There’s no right or wrong way to tinker; it’s all about the process and having fun. Share this resource with families in your programs from NAEYC - Message in a Backpack to inspire STEM learning at home this winter!

Personalized Support for Early Educators

The Winter 2024-2025 Trainings At-A-Glance calendar is here! Explore upcoming opportunities to enhance your professional skills, including CPR/First Aid Training dates, Virtual Learning Community sessions, upcoming specials and our Credential Challenge with supporting trainings.

Don’t miss your chance to participate—applications are due by February 28th!

Join as a team with your program or as an individual, and let the CCAoNH team support you every step of the way. Earn valuable credentials, win exciting prizes, and be celebrated at the Annual Celebration of NH Early Childhood Professionals on Monday, April 7th 2025.

Complete the Individual Commitment Form or Team Commitment Form and submit it to Child Care Aware of NH to get started. Individuals and Teams who complete the Credential Challenge will be entered to win some incredible prizes!

Individual Prizes Include:

• Kindle
• Echo Dot
• Self Care Kit
• Spa Finder Gift Card

Team Prizes Include:

• Small Sensory Tables
• Wagon
• Revive and Thrive Workshop
• Nature Based Classroom Kit

Join us on Tuesday, February 18th for the second session of this series , with two training session options. View the flyer for all the details.

Be Well Care Well, a six-part training series just for Early Childhood Education professionals. Guided by compassionate Well-Being Coaches, these sessions offer hands-on tools, helpful strategies, and support to help you boost well-being, reduce stress, and build stronger connections.

With each session offered twice, it’s easy to fit into your schedule. Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in yourself and your team.

Join us on Saturday, March 29, 2025, for an inspiring morning focused on the vital role of relationships in early childhood development. This hands-on training will explore how everyday interactions between children and caregivers lay the foundation for growth and learning.

Facilitators Emily Meland and Megan Shahnooshi from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education will introduce the Simple Interactions (SI) Tool — a practical, strengths-based approach to recognizing and supporting meaningful connections in early care settings. Together, we’ll reflect on how to enrich and empower relationships in our work.

For questions, contact Child Care Aware of New Hampshire at (603) 578-1386 ext. 2532 or email ccrrtraining@caphr.org.

Start in High School- Pre-Apprenticeship

Junior Year: Begin volunteering at a childcare center and taking Early College online courses through CCSNH (6 credits).

Senior Year: Complete 6 more Early College credits while gaining 1,000 hours of on-the-job training.

After Graduation Enroll in the CAPHR/DOL ECE Registered Apprenticeship Program

Work a paid job at a childcare center.

Receive mentorship, earn 2,000 on-the-job training hours, and complete your associate’s degree (with scholarships available).

Grow Your Career

Pursue a Bachelor’s Degree: Seamlessly transfer credits to continue your education at UNH College of Professional Studies (with TEACH Scholarship).

Enjoy Career Growth: Apprenticeship graduates gain advanced skills, increased wages, and access to leadership roles.



Start Your Journey Today! This pathway offers hands-on experience, affordable education, and clear steps to a fulfilling career in Early Childhood Education.

For more information, contact apprentice@caphr.org or visit NH Connections.

The Child Care Workforce Assistance Project (CCWAP) temporarily expands eligibility for child care assistance to child care professionals whose household income falls between 85% and 100% of the State Median Income. The CCWAP will run from January 2025 to June 30, 2025.



For details on the application process and for more information, visit NH-Connections.

Becoming an HR Expert

This comprehensive resource has what you need to effectively manage your HR function and help you avoid costly mistakes. From job descriptions, interview guides, and employee handbooks to performance appraisals and guidance on other HR topics. Simply download the tools, templates, and resources and customize them for your program.

HR Hotline

For those times when you need expert HR advice, consider signing up for the HR Hotline.

Now more than ever, companies need support in the day-to-day operation of their business. We provide an HR solution that is affordable, reliable, robust, and will help you stay compliant.

The HR Hotline is an invaluable resource that connects you to an HR professional and provides tools and support that gives you access to the answers you need when you need them AND the peace of mind you deserve when faced with HR questions or challenges. Direct and Unlimited access to an HR professional to answer your HR questions for just $300 per year



Watch this short video to learn more - HR Hotline

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

QUESTIONS? Email sela@earlylearningnh.org or schedule a half hour Zoom with us using this link https://calendly.com/jcowell-2/30min?month=2022-11

Child Care Aware of NH is a statewide Child Care Resource and Referral Program of Community Action Partnership Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties. The preparation of this document 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.