January 13, 2021
Request for Justification of Excessive Absences Form

In accordance with Rule 6M-4.500 F.A.C., reimbursement shall be authorized for no more than three (3) absences per calendar month per child except in the event of extraordinary circumstances. In the case of extraordinary circumstances, the Coalition shall provide written approval for payment based on written documentation provided by the parent/guardian justifying the excessive absence(s) for up to an additional seven (7) days. This form is only required for absences beyond three (3) in the reimbursement calendar month. Extraordinary circumstances do not include vacation, recreational time, or transportation issues. 
As mentioned in the Provider netWORK meeting, we have facilitated the opportunity for you to participate as an employer in virtual career fairs hosted by Career Source Gulf Coast and Career Source Chipola. Dates for the two career fairs are listed below. You can learn more about the Premier Virtual platform here. ​

We have also included a recruitment flyer for you to distribute in your area to spread the word to potential applicants. Click the links below to download a copy.
Career Source Chipola- Virtual Event  ​
January 28th, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm​

If you are interested in participating as an employer, you can register here.​ ​​Please complete your employer profile page prior to the event.
Career Source Gulf Coast – Virtual Event ​
February 4th, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm ​​

If you are interested in participating as an employer, you can register here.​ Please complete your employer profile page prior to the event.
If you have any questions about the Job Fairs or how to register as an employer, please contact:​​
Kate Burch​​ | (850) 704-0663
We know how much babies and toddlers love to sing and dance. Here are some songs to utilize in your classrooms to get those little ones moving!

During this stage of development, children are rapidly expanding their language skills. Language helps children understand and follow increasingly complex rules—both those that regulate behavior and those that apply to simple games.

Song games with movement require children to attend to the song’s words and hold them in working memory, using the song to guide their actions. 

Here are a few examples of song games with movements from the Harvard Center for the Developing Child:
DCF is offering a new virtual instructor-led course, Trauma-Informed Care for Child Care Program Directors (TICD). The goal of this course is to assist child care programs in implementing trauma-informed care for the families they serve. This is a multi-session course via Zoom, which will require the completion of outside assignments and readings.
Upon completion of this course, child care Program Directors will be able to:

  • Recognize the signs of trauma impacting children

  • Examine the importance of self-care

  • Apply tools to help children regulate emotions and behaviors

  • Evaluate the physical learning environment for trauma-sensitive supports

  • Develop a plan for creating a trauma-sensitive program
The Coalition will sponsor up to 10 Directors to ​attend this 40-hour multi-session course, which requires the completion of outside assignments and readings. ​
​
Stipends for Directors will also be available for Directors completing the course successfully. Dates for the TICD course will be announced at the end of January.

Please notify the Coalition at redline@elcnwf.org if you are interested in participating.
Ages and Stages Questionnaire Social-Emotional (ASQ-SE)
The Coalition is excited to bring this opportunity to our SR Providers. This on-site tool will assist our Providers in evaluating potential social-emotional concerns for children in their care.
 
The Coalition will be offering the following:
 
  • On-Site Teaching Assistant with the ASQ-SE Screening Tool
  • Teaching Assistant for ASQ Brooks online
  • ASQ-SE Kits
 
If you have any questions or need to request assistance, please email ASQ@elcnwf.org
4 ways to teach young children about Martin Luther King Jr.
(MLK Day January 18, 2021)
 
  1. Read a book: Reading stories to your children can be a great way for them to learn about King’s life. Here is a list of picture books for kids to learn about MLK's activism and his continued impact on our world today.
  2. Discuss hopes and dreams: Drawing inspiration from King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, ask your children what their dreams are. What inspires them? Talk about ways that they can make the world a better place, just like King did. 
  3. Talk about volunteerism: Discuss how donating your time and demonstrating the importance of helping others will establish a lifetime of giving back for your kids. 
  4. Art projects: To illustrate equality to the children, have them trace their hands on various colors of construction paper and cut out the hands. Then, use the hands from multiple children in different colors to create a collage.
Upcoming Literacy Webinar Series from the Florida Grade-Level Reading Campaign

January 15th (10:30 am ET)
Selecting Books to Maximize Students’ Reading Practice

February 19th (10:30 am ET)
What is Phonological Awareness Anyway? Fun Games to Improve Students’ Early Reading Development
Quality Performance System

We would like to remind you to log into the Quality Performance System (QPS) by the 10th of each month to update your staff roster. Once the staff roster has been updated, you must submit the roster so that the system stays current and up to date.

The Office of Early Learning (OEL) requires all providers receiving composite scores to update their rosters at least monthly in the Quality Performance System.
We continue to seek parents to join the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)

Please download a copy of the flyer by clicking the button below.
 
Ways you can help us spread the word:

  1. Place a copy of the flyer on your lobby bulletin board
  2. Print copies of the flyer and give it to each of your children to take home
  3. Include a digital copy of the flyer in your parent newsletters or emails
Thursday Power Sessions: 30-minute Virtual meetings via Zoom
Pre-K Language Modeling
Regards for Child Perspectives
Infant Early Language Support
Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! 2021: January 25-29
 
2021 Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! will be held January 25-29, 2021. This annual event aims to raise awareness of children’s literacy and foster their love for reading. This year's theme is: Humanity tells a story: What’s YOUR chapter?
 
This year's simultaneous reading activity will be held Wednesday, January 27, at 10:00 AM (CST). We will be asking all providers to join us for a Zoom call as we read aloud the Coalition's selected titles:

Ten Tiny Toes by Caroline Jayne Church to infant and toddlers
Police Officers on Patrol by Kersten Hamilton to preschoolers
Be on the look out for the Zoom invitations. To review the 2021 Celebrate Literacy Campaign click HERE! Please email the Redline if you have any questions.
Florida KidCare

In a time when the health and safety of our community are most important, help keep the children in your center insured.
 
Encourage families in your centers to contact ELCNWF for information and assistance applying for Florida KidCare.
 
Call 850-747-5400 X 108 or request CCR&R via the link below!
January Special Dates
January 13
National Rubber Ducky Day
National Sticker Day

January 15
National Hat Day

January 18
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - All ELCNWF offices will be closed
National Winnie The Pooh Day

January 19
National Popcorn Day
January 24
National Peanut Butter Day
 
January 25
National Opposite Day
 
January 28
National Kazoo Day
 
January 29
National Puzzle Day
 
January 31
National Backward Day
We exist to grow healthy children, parents, and the relationship between them.
Sponsored by the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida and the State of Florida, Office of Early Learning