May 29th, 2023

May-Mental Health Awareness Month

Every child has mental health – even babies!

Parents and other caregivers play an important role in building children's social-emotional skills such as making friends, caring for others, managing emotions, and resolving conflict peacefully. Helping children to develop these skills promotes their healthy development and reduces behaviors adults find challenging.

If you care for young children, we can help.

The Early Childhood Mental Health Support Line is a no-cost, confidential resource for anyone who cares for children under six. The support line can help you to better understand and support the wellbeing of the young children in your care, including children who may currently be struggling.

Click here for more resources and sign up for a consultation!

Health and Safety-Sun Safety

With summer right around the corner, lets talk about sun safety.

Too Much Sun Hurts! Did you know that just a few serious sunburns can increase your child’s risk of skin cancer later in life? Kids don’t have to be at the pool, beach or on vacation to get too much sun. Their skin needs protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays whenever they’re outdoors.

Full Brochure Here

Strengthen Colorado's Early Childhood System:

The Colorado Health Institute (CHI), a nonprofit research and consulting firm, is working with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood to update the state’s comprehensive statewide Preschool Development Grant Needs Assessment (Colorado Shines Brighter), initially developed in 2019. As part of this work, we are holding a number of focus groups – some reserved for those in the early childhood workforce and some for parents and caregivers – in the coming weeks. These groups will be held virtually, over Zoom. Compensation will be provided for families and those who participate outside of a professional setting.

Click here for full English flyer

Click here for full Spanish flyer

How will this year's legislative session affect kids and families?

The Child Care for Working Families Act, introduced by Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), aims to tackle widespread inequities in child care and early education for families and providers. The bill, which has been revised and made more robust since it was initially introduced, would increase compensation for providers and staff, expand access to nearly all children under age 6, and make other investments in care throughout the nation.

Universal Preschool Colorado-Updates

Curious about UPK? Check out our podcast if you missed it back in April to hear all about the program including who is eligible and how to apply!

Are you a UPK provider or do you want to be? If so, the deadline to sign the provider agreement is June 30^th. Don’t miss out! Contact Bryan Lindert for more information on how to complete the agreement.

Our local website with updates and frequently asked questions can be accessed here.

Click here to listen to our Podcast!

We still have FREE Boxes of DIAPERS!

For a diaper distribution center near you, please click here or scan the QR code below!

Coaching

School Readiness for Infants and Toddlers?-----YES!

School readiness is foundational across early childhood systems and programs. It means children are ready for school, families are ready to support their children's learning, and schools are ready for children. Head Start views school readiness as children possessing the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for success in school and for later learning and life.

School readiness for infants and toddlers includes five essential domains.

1. Physical Development and Health

2. Social and emotional development

3. Language and literacy development

4. Cognition and general knowledge

5. Approaches to learning.

School readiness activities for infants and toddlers might include:

Recite or sing nursery rhymes
Imitate sounds
Provide tummy time to support infant’s motor development
Recognize and validate children’s emotions and feelings
Go on scavenger hunts to teach following instructions, expanding vocabulary and working as a team.
Set up obstacle courses to teach different concepts such as over, under, on top, between
Use visual schedules to help children outline the expectations and activities of the day.

Learn more about the importance of School Readiness for infants and toddlers at the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpTSmFyk16k

TEACH Colorado Early Childhood Career Stipend

The TEACH Colorado Early Childhood Career Stipend is extended to all future early childhood educators who are currently seeking early childhood qualification! Click the link below for full size flyer for more details.

Click here for full size flyer

Tuition-free courses at CU Denver - with bilingual resources and Spanish interpretation

Thanks to generous State of Colorado funding, tuition-free courses designed for ECE professionals wishing to become EC Teacher qualified are available at CU Denver beginning in Fall 2023. Courses will offer bilingual resources and Spanish interpretation.

FCCH Providers:

Please do not forget to update your Provider Status Portal by May 31^st to possibly qualify for a possible 10th.

Application Opens Soon for Stabilization Grant Awardees to Receive a 10th Payment + Possible Bonus Payment (mailchi.mp)

Click here for full size flyer

Virtual Pre-licensing 3 course- CCI Provider Post-Home

Red Rocks Community College Childcare Innovations is offering a virtual Pre-licensing 3 course. CCI Provider Post - Home

Start Date: June 5, 2023, 06:30 pm

Finish Date: June 9, 2023, 09:30 pm

Booking deadline: June 4, 2023, 06:30 pm

Code PL3-23

Price: $75.00

Location: Virtual

Seats: 30

Tutor: Ms. Julia Brink

Description:

This 15-hr class meets the pre-licensing requirement for family child care homes. Instructors include child care licensing staff and others who are familiar with the operation of family child care businesses.

Lots of resources are provided.

You Must Attend All Days!

Contact Amanda Atencio at [email protected] or at (719) 937-4010 for more information.

Are you in need of Childcare?

Are you looking for childcare and your child is over two years old? We have a family child care home provider who wants to hear from you! Please contact Amanda Atencio at [email protected] for more information.

Opportunities with deadlines-Repost

DO NOT WAIT! The Circle Grant is coming to a close. If you would like to take advantage of the benefits this grant entitles you need to reach out to Amanda Atencio at [email protected] or call (719) 480-9506 or (719) 937-2040 as soon as possible. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity the Early Childhood Council is offering to become a family child care home provider.

Merit Awards/Quality Incentive (bonus $) are available for licensed providers who were in operation on March 11th, 2021, and are interested in increasing a Colorado Shines quality level. The deadline is September 30, 2023 or until funds are no longer available. For more information, click here.

If you need additional information please contact Monique Bosch at [email protected]

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