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Highlights in this month's edition of "Monthly Minutes"
- NH Early Childhood Credential Challenge & Celebration
- Keys to Quality Virtual E-Conference
- Register for the Leadership Summit
- Join the next Mind in the Making 8-week Session
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Happy New Year!
Wishing you a fantastic 2024 filled with joy and good vibes. We hope you had a wonderful holiday season!
Our Child Care Resource and Referral Outreach (CCRROS) team have been braving the cold to spread the word about Child Care Aware of NH's services. They're also available to assist families in finding the right child care through our monthly virtual "Searching for the Right Child Care" information session. If your program has a waitlist, consider sharing our referral services as a helpful resource for families you may not currently be able to enroll. Keeping your program profiles updated in NHCIS is beneficial to us when completing referrals in your area. Please take a moment to update your vacancies or for assistance reach out to our outreach team at (603) 578-1386, ext 2531.
Our Training and Technical Assistance Specialists (TTAS) are gearing up for exciting professional development this month. Registration is open for the Winter Keys to Quality E-Conference! Join us on Saturday, January 27th, 2024. They're also providing support to providers participating in the 2023-2024 Credential Challenge. It's not too late to join the challenge! Find more details below.
We want to express a huge thank you for all you do for families and children.
Enjoy this month's Monthly Minutes!
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Take a Moment to Update Your Child Care Profile | |
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Center Directors, Afterschool Site Directors, and Family Child Care Providers - please take a moment and update your Child Care Profile within your NHCIS account! This is a reminder to update your current staff roster and your program profile, including tuition rates (which can be redacted from public view), vacancies, hours of operation, and more.
Our Outreach Specialists are here to offer support. Call us to update your program profile with you! (603) 578-1386, ext. 2531
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2023-2024 Early Childhood Credential Challenge | |
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Child Care Aware of NH, teaming up with the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration, is thrilled to present the Early Childhood Credential Challenge! It's all about shining a spotlight on your incredible dedication and expertise in the field of early care and education.
Whether you're flying solo or rallying your dream team, this challenge is your chance to not only showcase your skills but also snag some amazing prizes! And the best part? You won't be navigating this journey alone—Child Care Aware of NH is here with expert guidance and support every step of the way.
The challenge spans from December 1, 2023 to February 29, 2024. Are you ready to join? Connect with the Training & Technical Assistance team at (603) 578-1386, extensions 2526 or 2532.
They're excited to walk you through the process and help you make the most of celebrating all your accomplishments and dedication to the children and families of New Hampshire!
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Upcoming Professional Development sessions to support Credentialing:
NH Early Childhood Credential Process: Applying for Your Credential
Register through NHCIS
Creating a Professional Development Plan using the NH Workforce Competencies
Register through NHCIS
Additional Credentialing Support available during Virtual Office Hours:
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Save the Date!
The Annual Celebration of New Hampshire Early Childhood Professionals will be Monday, April 8, 2024 in Concord.
This live, in-person event is open to all NH early childhood care and education professionals. The event includes awards and recognition for those who have earned a credential.
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details.
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CCAoNH Professional Development Opportunities | |
January Trainings At-A-Glance | |
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Check out our Winter Trainings At-A-Glance calendars! They're packed with scheduled training opportunities for childcare providers to discover fresh ways to nurture little ones' growth. Join us for a season filled with information that'll keep you learning and connecting with your peers throughout December, January, February, and March.
Save the date for the Winter Keys to Quality: Unlocking Your Professional Development Virtual E-Conference coming up on Saturday, January 27th, 2024.
Continue to revisit the Professional Development page on NH Connections for updates and additions to the training calendar.
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Winter Keys to Quality Virtual E-Conference | |
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Child Care Aware of New Hampshire is pleased to provide this full-day conference devoted to offering quality professional development to assist early childhood professionals in enhancing and improving their practices.
This year, participants are presented with a unique and enriching opportunity to engage in a three-part series titled "Communicating to Connect" with Jessica Cantin, MS, CEO of Food For Free. Jessica will begin our day with the Keynote Presentation, "Science of Connections." Following this, participants can choose to continue the conversation with Jessica at her next two sessions: "The Agreement Framework" and "Unlocking Awe and Wonder."
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A total of nine (9) training opportunities will be offered and each one will be categorized for those wishing to take a “Training Track” specific to an area of focus.
Check out the Event Brochure for training session details! The NH Cares Scholarship is available if you find the conference is cost-prohibitive and you are a provider currently working 30 hours or more. Find the details in how to access the scholarship in the brochure.
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Do you want to score a FREE ticket to the Winter Keys to Quality Conference?
Continue to read through this edition of the Monthly Minutes to find a code word and email it to [email protected] for your chance to win!
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Leadership Summit - Reimagining Self-care (3-part Series) | |
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Thurs. February 1st - 12:00-1:30 PM
Reimagining Self-care
Thurs. February 22nd - 12:00-1:30 PM
Building Better Boundaries
Thurs. March 7th - 12:00-1:30 PM
Joy Reboot
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It's important to take the time to do things that help you live well and improve your physical and mental health. But how many times do you put yourself last because you're too busy helping others or finishing your tasks?
Engage in this 3-part workshop series presented by Jennice Chewlin, MPH, CHES® CEO & Founder, Chewlin & Group
to help your team build skills to break through barriers to take care of their mental well-being and empower them to live a happy, healthy, and productive life.
Each session will explore key topics to enrich both your professional and personal life! Discover valuable strategies and tools for self-care that you can incorporate into your daily routine.
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Early Childhood Collaboratives | |
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This month we're highlighting the Business Management Collaborative held the second Tuesday of the month from 1:00PM-2:30 PM. This collaborative is designed to strengthen administrative practices, elevating program efficiency and quality.
This month you'll be learning more about Choose Love, with Shannon Desilets, Governor-appointed Program Director of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement for the state of New Hampshire on Tuesday, January 9th from 1:00-2:30 PM. You can register for this collaborative and others through your NHCIS account.
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Progressive Training and Technical Assistance Program (PT&TAP) | |
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Our Progressive Training and Technical Assistance Program offers child care programs an opportunity to participate in focused and facilitated training and technical assistance.
When you enter into a progressive, you will be assigned a Technical Assistance Specialists who will work with you one-on-one on the State Initiative you choose to focus on.
The five State Initiatives are:
- NH Early Childhood Professional Development System (Credentialing)
- Strengthening Families, Strengthening Care
- Business Management Practices
- Infant & Toddler Care
- NH Early Learning Standards
During the progressive, you will earn professional development in the form of Technical Assistance minutes, you will build a bond with our experienced TA staff, and build your knowledge and skill set as an educational professional within the field of early childhood education!
For more information about this interactive training opportunity, you can contact us at [email protected] or (603) 578-1386, ext. 2526 and ext. 2532! We look forward to hearing from you!
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Child Care Aware of NH is excited to host the next 8 week-training series, Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs on Wednesday, January 24th through March 13th, 2024 from 6:00-8:00 PM on Zoom.
Each module focuses on a specific life skill, starting with adults and reflecting on our individual life experiences and learning the science behind the skill. The second part of each module focuses on children and how adults can help children develop these essential skills.
Why do we think this training is a powerful experience for you as an early childhood educator and caregiver? These skills can be learned, and it is never too late to learn and develop the seven essential life skills. Put this message on repeat: It is never too late to learn and develop the seven essential life skills.
Join us for this training series! You will have an interactive, reflective and engaging experience while learning the science behind the Seven Essential Life Skills. Register at the link below. Spots typically fill up quickly. Participants are expected to attend all 8 sessions.
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Monthly Health And Safety Resources | | |
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We know that it’s bad for kids to be exposed to lead. Until about the age of 6, lead in a child’s blood can pass easily into their developing brain causing learning delays, hyperactivity and behavior challenges, speech and hearing problems, and other developmental and physical issues.
Although it’s the law that all children be tested for lead exposure during their physicals at ages 1 and 2 years, only about 25% or less of NH’s children actually get tested. During the life span of the little ones in your care, testing may have been impacted by missed appointments during the pandemic, and a recall on testing supplies.
The primary cause of elevated lead levels in children are living in homes or spending time in buildings built before 1978. In many areas of NH, that describes the majority of housing!
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Lead exposure can also be caused through drinking water, if there are deteriorating pipes or plumbing fixtures. Testing the drinking water in homes and childcare programs can also help keep children safe. You can help keep the children in your care safer by being aware and educating parents about lead poisoning. Here are some helpful resources that you might want to share with families. | |
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Gail Gettens, Child Development Specialist and Health Communication Advisor, NH Division of Public Health Services, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, is hosting a training Childhood Lead Poisoning in NH: How to Keep Children Lead-Safe at the Winter Keys to Quality Conference!
This training will review the impact of lead exposure on children’s development, common sources of exposure, prevention strategies, and the importance of lead level testing at ages 1 and 2. Other resources to support lead-exposed children and their families will be shared.
Don't miss your opportunity to join Gail and all the other incredible presenters at the Winter Keys to Quality Conference on January 27th. Do you want a chance to score a FREE ticket? Send an email with the code word: HEALTHY to [email protected]
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Other Early Childhood News And Updates | |
Granite Steps for Quality | |
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On behalf of the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration, we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the following programs on achieving a step in the Granite Steps for Quality System
New Morning Before School Program at Jacques Memorial, ERS, Step 2
Colebrook Community Child Care/Country Day School, NAEYC, Step 3
Walpole Village School, Pyramid Model, Step 3
Congratulations and thank you for your dedication to continuous quality improvement! To learn more about Granite Steps for Quality and how you can apply for a Step, click the button below to view the Granite Steps for Quality page on NH Connections.
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Happy New Year from Early Learning NH and SELA | |
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Get ready to let us help your child care program in 2024! 🚀 Uncover the magic of a SELA Premium Membership to save time, save money, and support quality:
✨ **More Cash in Your Pocket:**
- Give your staff and the families you serve a financial high-five of @ $1,000 each!
- Enjoy program savings of up to $10,000!
🌟 **Allowable and Approved Use of Grant Funds:**
- The SELA Premium Membership fee can be paid by your Child Care Workforce Grant and/or GSQ funds!
💡 **Beyond Savings:**
- Dive into personalized coaching for Premium Members.
| Have burning questions or just want a friendly chat? Email [email protected] or schedule a one-on-one Zoom with us using the QR code below or at https://calendly.com/jcowell-2/30min?month=2022-11. | | |
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Let us help you leverage even more with your grant dollars and get A LOT more money and savings for your staff, your program, and the families you serve!
Seize the extra support and savings of a SELA Premium Membership so 2024 can be a MUCH better year!* 🚀💰
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The preparation of this (report, document, etc.) 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. | | | | |
