What Is Happening at CCAoNH?
“Don't wait until the fourth Thursday in November, to sit with family and friends to give thanks. Make every day a day of Thanksgiving!”

-Charmain J. Forde

Hello Providers,

November can be a great month for pause and reflection. Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, there's always time to remember the good in life and have gratitude, no matter how big or small. Here at Child Care Aware of NH, a program of Southern NH Services, we are grateful for each and every one of you. Your dedication and commitment to the children and families you serve is second to none, and for that we say thank you.

The Child Care Resource and Referral Outreach Specialists (CCRROS) are preparing for Family Engagement Month! They have been learning all about Vroom and are excited to share that information with providers. They also recently attended a job fair to help job seekers with their child care needs, and also encourage people to join the early childhood field. The phones continue to be busy with families looking for child care. If you haven't done so recently, please take a moment to log into your NHCIS account and update you Child Care profile. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to give Outreach a call at 603-578-1386 ext. 2531.

The Training and TA Specialists (TTAS) are gearing up for the 2022-2023 Credential Challenge! They are ready to provide Technical Assistance (TA) to all of the teams and individuals who will be participating in this year's Credential Challenge. The TTAS will also be welcoming Constant Hine from New Horizons in Learning for our annual Training and TA Institute. Keep reading to learn more about this professional development opportunity.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for everything you do for families and children. We hope that you enjoy this month's edition of Monthly Minutes.
CCAoNH Updates
2022-2023 Credential Challenge
Child Care Aware of NH, a program of Southern NH Services, and the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration are thrilled to announce this year's Early Childhood Credential Challenge! We are so excited to celebrate the dedication and expertise of all of NH's Early Childhood Professionals.

To learn more about how you can participate in this year's challenge, click the flyer to the left. Don't forget to check out the raffle prizes!
Be sure to keep an eye on the Credentialing Page on NH Connections for commitment forms and more information about how you can access credentialing support.
For more information about the newly revised Early Childhood Professional Development Guidebook, to access FAQ's, or find templates, visit the Credentialing Page on NH Connections.
November is Family Engagement Month
November is Family Engagement Month! Here at Child Care Aware of NH, a program of Southern NH Services, we are partnering with Vroom all month long to bring you resources to share with your families. This year the theme is: Exploring the World through Brain-Building Adventures! Child Care Aware of NH is excited to be offering the Vroom Challenge this year to providers! For more information and to learn how you can be entered into a raffle for some really cool prizes, see the flyer below!
If you are interested in learning more about Family Engagement, its importance, or some ideas to bring back to your program, visit the Family Engagement Page on NH Connections. To learn more about Vroom, click on the button below. Be sure to follow us on Facebook for all the great Family Engagement content we will be sharing!
Spotlight on YOU!
Do you have an awesome welcome letter for new families? Or maybe host a really fun summer carnival? Maybe you have a cozy foyer that is warm and inviting.

Child Care Aware of NH wants to see what you've got! We know that you all have some wonderful ideas and practices for family engagement, and we would love the opportunity to put the spotlight on you for all of your hard work and dedication.

Send us photos, stories, quotes, sample letters, invitations, or anything you have that highlights family engagement in your program, and you could be featured on our Facebook page! Send submissions to [email protected] by November 15th.

Note that for photos and/or videos, a Photo Release Form MUST be signed for each individual appearing in said photo or video. Please be sure to read over the form completely and fill out all applicable sections.
November Closures
Child Care Aware of NH, a program of Southern NH Services, will be closed the following days during the month of November:

  • Tuesday, November 8th
  • Friday, November 11th
  • Thursday, November 24th
  • Friday, November 25th

During these closures phone calls will be going to our messaging system and our LiveChat services will be closed. Please be sure to visit NH Connections for child care referrals, consumer education and training information.
Starting The Conversation
10 Things Every Parent Should Know About Play
Do you find yourself fielding comments such as, "It's JUST play!" or answering questions like, "Well, did my child do anything BESIDES play today?"

As early childhood providers, you know how important play is for young children and how much development goes on in those seemingly small moments. But to those without the education or experience it can look like, well, JUST play.

NAEYC has this article, "10 Things Parents Should Know About Play." It goes over the complex nature of play, how it acts as a stress-reducer, and how play and learning go hand-in-hand. This would be a helpful tool to share with families and caregivers when explaining the significance of play.
CCAoNH Professional Development Opportunities
November Professional Development Opportunities
Training and Technical Assistance (TA) Institute: Transformational Coaching to Promote Continuous Quality Improvement.
Date: Thursday, November 10th
Time: 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Trainer: Constant Hine from Horizons in Learning

...Transformational Coaching to Promote Continuous Quality Improvement....You might be wondering, "What does that even mean? or, "How does that apply to me?" Those are both great questions and we are so happy you asked!

In the simplest terms, it means: helping you to help people get better. Maybe you have staff that are newer to the early education field and would benefit from some coaching. Or maybe you have a colleague that you are mentoring. This is the perfect opportunity to build those coaching and mentoring skills, while gathering some new ones. Learn about Strengths-Based Coaching: honing strengths that you already have and using these strengths to build upon your challenges.

To learn more about this session, click the flyer above. Registration is through Eventbrite and you can find that link below.
Infant & Toddler Institute:
Tips and Techniques on Self-Regulation and Challenging Behaviors in the Infant and Toddler Classroom
Date: Saturday, November 19th, 2022
Time: 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Trainer: Dee Dee Thurber, ECMPWT; Stephanie Therrien, ECMPWT; Lindsey Parisi, ECMPWT

Biting, hitting, throwing toys...if you've ever worked in an infant and toddler classroom, you have likely witnessed these behaviors. While we know that they are usually well within the realm of typical development, that doesn't make them any less challenging or frustrating at times.

Join us to learn more about looking behind the behavior and pick up some new helpful tips and tricks. To learn more about this professional development opportunity, click the flyer above. To register, click the button below.
Early Childhood Focused Collaboratives
Early Childhood Collaborative Highlight of the Month:
Family Child Care

Are you looking to connect with other individuals working in a family care program? Interested in sharing resources and ideas? Then join CCAoNH the second (2nd) Thursday of the month from 6:00-7:30 PM for the Early Childhood Collaborative: Family Child Care!

This month, DCYF Point of Contact from SAU 6 in Claremont NH will be providing the training: "Understanding Homelessness and Its Impact on Children and Families".  This training will aid teachers and administrators in identifying and helping provide resources to families in need. 

To register, click the button below.
Looking for some other groups to connect and collaborate with? Check out our other Collaborative offerings!
Coming Soon...
Coming in December: On-Site Mini Conferences!

Stay tuned for more information on this pilot opportunity for your program!

Also available soon: Two (2) NEW Pro-Solutions Packages
  • The Mindful Classroom
  • Mindful Relationships

Check back soon for more details!
Progressive Training and TA Program
Apply to be a Progressive Training and Technical Assistance (TA) Program when it works for your program! You will find the application on the Technical Assistance page or by clicking the button below.
We have several Progressive Training and TA topics programs can choose from this year:
  • Business Management Practices
  • Infant & Toddler Team Initiative
  • NH Early Learning Standards
  • Program Emergency Preparedness and Response
  • Environment Rating Scales
  • Strengthening Families, Strengthening Care
  • Staff Qualifications Initiative
CCAoNH has open enrollment for the Progressive Training and TA Program!

The Progressive Training and Technical Assistance Program is an opportunity for your program to participate in focused and facilitated teambuilding that promotes professionalism and program quality.
Want to know more?

Contact us at
(603) 578-1386, ext. 2526 and ext. 2532
or on LiveChat.
Monthly Health And Safety Resources
The resources found in this section can help support providers and families in planning for emergencies. You can find additional resources on the NH Connections Emergency Planning Page.
Dressing for Cold Weather
Fall may have just started, but it's New England...and the weather here is pretty fickle. Before we know it, the cold and snow will be here. Despite the temperature drops, it is still important for children and adults to get outside to move their bodies, get some fresh air, and get a little sunshine. Playing outside in the cold and snow can be fun (honestly!), but not if cold and wet.

It is critical that child (and staff!) are dressed appropriately for the winter elements. Not only can improper cold weather gear make outside time absolutely miserable, it can be downright dangerous. Problems like frostbite and hypothermia are serious risks. Luckily, there are ways to stay safe outside in the chillier months.

Here are a few tips to keep cold weather outside time fun AND safe for children and staff:

  • Check the weather ahead of time
  • Pack extra cold weather gear
  • Layer, layer, layer!
  • Don't forget the hat, gloves, and scarf!

To learn more about how to dress safely for the winter months, you can click the graphic above for a handy reference, or click the button below for 6 tips for dressing kids for cold weather.
Other Early Childhood News And Updates
Important Information From the Bureau of Child
Development and Head Start Collaboration
New Hampshire’s voluntary quality recognition system for licensed child care providers, known as Granite Steps for Quality (GSQ) focuses on improving the overall quality of Early Care and Education and Out-of-School Time (OST) programs in the state. Programs participating in GSQ will promote a culture of continuous quality improvement thereby improving outcomes for children and families to thrive and succeed in school and beyond.
Not sure how to get started? We invite you to contact Child Care Aware of New Hampshire and a TA Specialist will help answer questions, provide detail surrounding the rubrics and help you to become Q-Ready!
CCLU Updates
On October 7, 2022, the Child Care Licensing Unit (CCLU) provided updated guidance on managing Staff Rosters in NH Connections Information System (NHCIS). They also released updated directions for submitting transfer requests, self-registration, and the BRC Process. You can read the full update, as well as the revised directions by clicking the buttons below.
Are you looking to find that information on NH Connections? Check out the image below to see where you can find this, and other important licensing information, on the website.
CCDF Listening Sessions
Does your program currently accept the NH Childcare Scholarship, also known as the NH CCDF Childcare Subsidy, or have you ever considered accepting it? If so, New Hampshire Children’s Trust would like to hear from you! On November 18th from 12:00 -1:00 pm, the Children’s Trust is hosting a VIRTUAL listening session to better understand your experience in accepting CCDF. To join, please register using this link. If you cannot make it but would like to share your experiences or if you have questions email at, [email protected].
SELA HR Hotline
We are so excited to announce the SELA HR Hotline is now LIVE!

This new service, available to you through the SELA Platform, offers on demand HR Support for everyday HR challenges.

For just $300 per year, you will receive direct and unlimited access to an HR expert from 9 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday. Get the HR answers you need when you need them!

Also, sign up for compliance email updates to receive the latest compliance and regulatory information based on your location, company size, and industry.

Learn more by logging into the SELA Platform at selanhmembers.com, searching for HR, and scrolling down to select HR Hotline. Access it at selanhmembers.com or use the QR code below.
T.E.A.C.H. NH
NHTI recently published a press release highlighting T.E.A.C.H. NH's very first graduate!

"And though she was the first to graduate from the program, Owens is certainly not alone. T.E.A.C.H. NH, a scholarship program that began in January 2021, is a statewide program offered through Southern NH Services that partners with employers to provide support for early childhood teachers living and working in New Hampshire. T.E.A.C.H. NH enables early childhood teachers to take coursework leading to credentials and degrees by making it possible for them to afford both the time and expense of going to school."

To read the full press release, click below!
Are you interested in learning more about T.E.A.C.H. NH and how this program can help you? Visit the T.E.A.C.H. NH page on NH Connections!
Child Care Aware of New Hampshire is a Child Care Resource and Referral Program powered by Southern New Hampshire Services. The preparation of this document was financed under a Contract with the State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Economic and Housing Stability, Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration with funds provided in part by the State of New Hampshire and the US Department of Health and Human Services.