IdahoSTARS Child Care Business Newsletter

CHILD CARE BUSINESS NEWSLETTER

February 2022 | Issue 4

Spotlight on FREE upcoming Business Trainings

Budgets, Projections, and Planning to Strengthen Business Practices

March 10, 2022 7:00pm mt/6:00pm pt

The purpose of this training is to strengthen child care providers’ foundational knowledge of fiscal terms, concepts, and practices. It encourages providers to realize the importance of fiscal planning to the sustainability of their business operations. It provides tips and best practices to help break down fiscal processes into manageable steps.

Financial Reports and Internal Controls to Strengthen Business Practices

April 7, 2022 7:00pm mt/6:00pm pt

COMING SOON: “Marketing to Strengthen Business Practices” (in May) and “Recruiting and Retaining Staff to Strengthen Business Practices” (in June).

For more information and to register for these and other trainings,

Recordkeeping…what is the purpose?

Great question! Recordkeeping is not always a favorite part of childcare, but it has an important purpose. That purpose is to provide reliable evidence of, and information about, ‘who, what, when, where and why’ and for daycare licensing it is a professional practice.

Records for staff and other individuals are a very important component of your recordkeeping. So, let’s take a look at - IDAPA 16.06.02.330 Staff and Other Individual Record Requirements

WHO are to maintain records and for who?

Each owner or operator of a daycare center, group daycare facility or family daycare home voluntarily licensed by the Department is to maintain a list or file for each staff or other individuals as required.

WHAT records need to be maintained?

At the minimum, the following must be kept on site:

Legal Name - the individual’s legal name
Proof of Age - copy of document verifying age of the individual
Phone Number - a current phone number for the individual
Record of Training - current training records (when applicable)
Verification of Criminal History and Background Check Clearance - an enhanced clearance letter must be available for each staff/other individual (as required)
Results of Juvenile Justice Record - for anyone between thirteen (13) and eighteen (18) years of age
Pediatric CPR/First Aid Certification - certification must be from a certified instructor
Record of Hours - this is the times, dates, and hours on the premises each day

WHEN are records required?

Current records covering the previous twelve-month period are required for all staff and other individuals thirteen years of age or older.

WHERE should records be maintained?

Records must be kept on-site of the daycare home or facility.

WHY is it important to keep records and keep them current?

Accurate records assist in management of emergency communication and administrative needs and having current Criminal History clearance documents and CPR/First Aid certifications make the immediate review for your health and safety inspections an easy process.

Not sure what the best recordkeeping practices are for you?

Your local Quality Child Care Consultant is available to help. Dial 2-1-1 (Idaho Careline) and ask to speak to an IdahoSTARS Child Care Consultant or you can find their email information at:

https://idahostars.org/Child-Care-Providers/CCRC/CCRC-Regions#contact

Marilyn Peoples

DHW Program Specialist - Daycare Licensing

Marilyn.Peoples@dhw.idaho.gov

How are families finding you?

If you haven't updated the Provider Information Review section on your facility account in RISE, we may not be referring your program to families. We have seen a significant increase in referrals recently and we are having a hard time fulfilling many of the requests.

We ask that you update your Provider Information quarterly to stay active and current in RISE.

To update your information, log in to your facility account in RISE and scroll to the bottom. Be sure to review and update the information in all five sections:

Marketing and Referral Settings
Services
Environment
Program
Rates and Availability

Need help? Dial 2-1-1 and ask for your local IdahoSTARS Regional Office.

Provider Information Review FAQs

When was the last time you evaluated your rates?

Did you know that the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) recently updated their Local Market Rates? In addition to information on local rates, child care providers can find helpful resources and information on this site that support licensing requirements as well as improve the quality of care in your program.

DHW Local Market Rates

Adult Learning, Professional Development and Coaching

Supporting the learning needs of early childhood professionals is a fundamental part of quality practices. These basic principles can guide your work with early childhood professionals to ensure strong and productive relationships.

Early childhood professionals learn best when what is being learned in immediately relevant and useful.
Early childhood professionals learn best when new knowledge is built on prior knowledge and experience.
Early childhood professionals need to understand what they are learning, why its important and how to use it with the children in their care.
Early Childhood professionals learn best through active participation and practice.
Early childhood professionals learn and remember best when what they are learning is practices in context and in real time.
Early childhood professionals benefit from opportunities to reflect and recieve feedback on their learning and their performance.

Did you know that IdahoSTARS offers direct services and coaching to early childhood professionals to increase quality practices?

Coaching is a capacity-building practice used in partnership with early childhood professionals to assist them in improving their current skills, learning new skills, and continuing to learn and grow as professionals.

For more information on coaching, contact your IdahoSTARS Regional Office.

IdahoSTARS | idahostars.org