LET'S HEAR FROM YOU!

Child Care Provider Listening Sessions

Thank you to everyone who has participated in a listening session. We have so many projects and improvements happening and we want to continue the conversation. Your input is vital to the work we do and making sure our service is top notch! Join a 60 minute virtual meeting to hear about the feedback gathered at listening sessions and how we are working to address your concerns. All participants will receive a $50 recognition for their participation. This is your chance to let us know if we are getting it right!

Here are the dates:



4/22 - 6 pm MT

4/29 - 7 pm MT

4/30 - 7 pm MT

5/2 - 6 pm MT

5/7 - 7 pm MT

Click on the link to register. You will need to select the date of the listening session you want to attend. You will receive an email with the Zoom link. These sessions fill up quickly! Thank you for all that you do Idaho’s children and families. We can’t wait to hear your input!

*You must have an active account in RISE and upload a W9 in order to receive recognition.

TRAINING CORNER

Log into your RISE account to learn more or to register for these and other upcoming training opportunities. For training support, please contact trainingoffice@idahostars.org

STRENGTHENING FAMILIES TRAINING SERIES

As a child care provider, your trusted relationship with parents helps families become strong and stay strong. Join Idaho AEYC each month as we discuss the small but significant changes you can make to intentionally promote the five protective factors that prevent families from being overwhelmed by stress. Register for these FREE trainings in RISE.

Topics will include:

• handling and preventing difficult conversations
• reframing challenging behaviors
• policies and procedures
• parent-teacher conferences
• cultural responsiveness and more!

April’s training:

Consider Yourself a Mandated Supporter: Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention

April 25^th | 6 – 8 PM

Via Webinar

HOME-BASED CHILD CARE PROVIDER TRAINING (IN SPANISH)

This FREE three-day training will provide information for people who would like to start

a child care business in their home. Participants will learn about the start-up process, licensing requirements, marketing, record keeping, and more.

Participants who complete the process to open a home-based child care business may

be eligible for funds to buy furniture, materials, and supplies for their new program.

Saturday, April 27^th | 9 AM – 2 PM

Saturday, May 4th| 9 AM – 2 PM

Saturday, May 11th | 9 AM – 12 PM

In-Person, Delivered in Spanish

Breakfast and Lunch Provided

WEBINAR TRAININGS:



4/17 - Recruiting Retaining Staff to Strengthen Business Practices - FREE

4/17 - Creating an Outdoor Learning Environment - $60

4/18 - Gardening with Children - $60

4/19 - "Why don't kids LISTEN?" An overview of factors that affect children's focus - $45

4/23 - Sensational Children: Uderstanding Sensory Processing Disorder - $25

4/23 - Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder - $25

4/24 - Pyramid Module 1, Part 2 - Promoting Children's Success: Creating Supportive Environments - FREE

4/24 - Gardening and Nature Scapes with Children - $45

4/25 - Understanding Cerebral Palsy - $25

4/25 - Understanding Epilepsy and Seizures - $25

4/30 - Pyramid Module 3, Part 1 - Intensive Intervention: What is Challenging Behavior?

5/1 - Adding High Quality Interactions to your Classroom - $60

5/15 - Pyramid Module 1, Part 3 - Promoting Children's Success: Schedules, Routines & Transitions

5/18 - Pyramid Module 3, Part 2 - Intensive Intervention: Developing a Behavior Support Plan

IN-PERSON TRAININGS:

4/20 - Child Abuse and Mandatory Reporting (Star Recreation Department (Star, ID) - $50

4/27 - Home Base Child Care (Burley, ID)- FREE

5/4 - Home Base Child Care (Burley, ID)- FREE

5/11 - Home Base Child Care (Burley, ID)- FREE

HIGHLIGHTED TRAINING COMPANIES:

AIR Child Care Training Solutions

AIR Child Care Training Solutions strives to provide all of your professional development needs, from required to specialized trainings, through the comfort and convenience of online learning. Train at home, from your center, or on the go.

Building Blocks for Literacy

Building Blocks® supports professionals as they work with children ages birth to five to help them become successful literacy learners. You may enroll in this self-paced course at any time, and you will have one year to complete the course.

Care Courses

Care Courses is an international distance learning school offering convenient, affordable and informative book and electronic courses for child care providers. They offer a wide variety of topics, including autism, administration, staff development, home childcare, toilet learning, child development and more.

ProSolutions Training

ProSolutions Training stands out for its depth of experience and range of expertise, combined with a high level of integrity and proven customer satisfaction. Their coursework is skills-based and encourages you to reflect on your own individual teaching or professional style and transfer new knowledge to your daily work.

CONFERENCES ARE FILLING FAST!

University of Idaho - STEAM in Early Learning Conference

May 18th, 2024, 9am - 4pm

Best Western Plus Coeur D'Alene Inn

Couer D'Alene, Idaho

University of Idaho's Margaret Richie School of Family and Consumer Sciences and IdahoSTARS are hosting A Day of Learning! Lunch will be provided. 

Contact the IdahoSTARS Training office with questions trainingoffice@idahostars.org

Register HERE.

Idaho AEYC Early Learning Conference

June 21-22

Fri 8 -6, Sat 8-4

Boise Centre East

Boise, Idaho

Idaho AEYC is excited to once again bring early education professionals from across the state to expand their knowledge and skills, participate in statewide professional networking opportunities, and learn effective approaches to care for and support young children and their families. IdahoSTARS approved training hours are available for the Conference. Up to 12 hours for the 2 day conference.

Learn more HERE. Register HERE. Don't forget to choose your sessions (they will fill up!)

Health Consultant Corner

Eye Health

Stephanie Jones, IMH-E®

Infant Family Associate

Child Care Health Consultant

1 in 5 preschool children have common vision disorders which are generally not obvious, can cause other vision problems and affect school readiness. Vision disorders can be treated or corrected with early detection and treatment. One way to determine if a child should see a ophthalmologist or an optometrist is with a vision screening conducted by a trained vision screener to look for signs and symptoms of a vision problem. Screenings do not determine if there is a vision disorder rather, they will tell you a child appears okay or if they need an eye exam.

A common vision disorder is called Myopia (near-sightedness). If untreated the disorder can become worse over time with risk of lifelong problems. Some ways to reduce risk of developing or worsening Myopia are reducing screen time, increasing the distance to the screen, good lighting, being outdoors (the sun produces natural blue light) and avoiding screen time two hours before bedtime.

Signs of possible eye problems in children: eyes are crossed or looks out, eyelids are red-rimmed, crusted or swollen and/or eyes are watery or red/inflamed. Your child may indicate their eyes are itchy, burn or they cannot see very well (i.e. blurry or see double). After doing close-up work, such as reading, they may say “I feel dizzy”, “I have a headache” or “I feel sick/nauseous”.



If you are interested in hosting a vision screening or would like more information, please contact your local IdahoSTARS Child Care Health Consultant. 

Resources:

Parent Questions About Myopia

Vision Developmental Milestones

Finding an Eye Doctor

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