Child Care Chronicles

Indiana Edition

Hi Indiana Child Care Providers! 👋💛

We’re really glad you’re here. If no one has told you lately: what you do matters. You’re the calm in the chaos at drop-off, the safe place for big feelings, the teacher of tiny skills that turn into lifelong confidence. You help children feel loved and capable—and you help families keep going. That’s powerful work.

This welcome newsletter is here to support you. We’ll share Indiana-specific reminders, deadlines, and helpful resources you can actually use—without the stress or the “government speak.” Think of it as a friendly check-in and a steady hand on the busy weeks.

Thanks for showing up for Indiana’s children every day. We’re cheering you on, and we’re excited to be in your corner. 🌟

📣 Provider Announcements

Indiana Preschool Teachers & Families: Share Your Voice (Purdue University Study)

The Social-emotional Health in Nurturing Environments (SHINE) Lab at Purdue University is currently recruiting participants for their ongoing study. They are currently exploring teacher and parent perspectives on social-emotional well-being and mental health risk in early childhood (IRB # 2025-908).

This study includes a brief, confidential survey for teachers and parents related to their research. There is also an optional interview component. All participation is completely voluntary and fully virtual. To thank participants for their time and effort in contributing to their research, they will receive $30 for completion of the surveys. Those selected for a virtual interview will receive an additional $40. The researchers hope that these findings will support early identification and action for social-emotional health, especially addressing risks early on.

The SHINE Lab is recruiting two groups of participants: 1. Preschool teachers who currently work with children between the ages of 3-5 in a preschool program in Indiana • 2. Parents/caregivers of a child between the ages of 3-5 who is currently enrolled in a preschool program in Indiana

For more information or to participate, please email shinelabpurdue@gmail.com. Please see the attached flyer for additional details.

SHINE Lab Purdue Teacher Flyer

***Disclaimer: ChildCareEd and its affiliates are not part of this IRB-approved research study and do not make any claims regarding the research, the IRB review, or study outcomes.***

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🚨 New Class Alert!

Assessment of Language and Literacy Skills

This training course equips child care providers with essential knowledge and practical skills to assess language and literacy development in early childhood. Participants will learn the importance of early assessment, how to conduct objective observations, and how to translate this information into meaningful learning goals, particularly for children aged four and above. .

February-Friendly Savings!

💘Valentine’s Day- Share the Love of Learning. 💘

Lunar New Year Learning $10 select 3 hour trainings (Expires 2/21)

Presidents’ Day Lead with Learning

Illuminate Learning🕯️Maha Shivaratri

More Discounts

Fun Corner: Giggles + Good Vibes

What fun classroom ideas can we do this week? 💘🎨

1) “Kindness Mailbox” (Preschool + School Age)

-Put a small box in the room labeled Kindness Mail.

-Children “mail” simple notes/drawings like: “I like playing with you.”

-Read a few each day at circle time (keep it short + sweet).

2) Heart Month Movement Break (All ages)

-Do 30 seconds each: jump • march • stretch • deep breaths

-Say: “We’re helping our hearts get strong!” ❤️

3) Fine-motor “Warm Hands” station (Toddlers + Preschool)

-Try one quick idea from this winter fine-motor list (super easy prep)

Save Your Spot—Upcoming Trainings

Including All Children and the Americans with Disabilities Act

Upcoming & running sessions:

February 12, 2026 —

6:45 PM to 9:45 PM (EST)

February 18, 2026 —

6:45 PM to 9:45 PM (EST)

February 22, 2026 —

8:00 AM to 11:00 AM (EST)

February 26, 2026 —

6:45 PM to 9:45 PM (EST)

March 3, 2026 —

6:45 PM to 9:45 PM (EST

Basic Health & Safety and Breastfeeding Awareness

Upcoming & running sessions:

February 12, 2026 —

6:45 PM to 9:45 PM (EST)

February 22, 2026 —

8:30 AM to 11:30 AM (EST)

March 4, 2026 —

6:45 PM to 9:45 PM (EST)

March 7, 2026 —

8:30 AM to 11:30 AM (EST)

Are You Looking for Onsite or Virtual Trainings?

🧑‍🏫💻

If you don’t see what you need on our calendar, you can request an onsite or virtual training for a group of 10 or more here:

Submit an On-site Request

📰 Featured Article

Insights, ideas, and inspiration for your week.

👧 The Glitter Conundrum: Why It’s Both the Best and Worst Thing to Happen to Childcare Crafts

In the realm of childcare #crafts, the materials we choose can significantly influence not only the creative process but also the values we instill in young minds. Among these materials, glitter has long held a special place, enchanting children with its shimmering allure and transforming simple projects into dazzling masterpieces..

✨ Featured Activities/Social Media✨

✨️ 🖤 Happy Black History Month! The colors - red, black, green, and yellow - symbolize unity and pride in black history and culture.

A lovely Valentine's Day activity for the kiddos that teaches love, kindness, as well as color matching

❄️🏂 Build Balance and Coordination with this Winter Sensory Activity ❄️⛄️

Turn your classroom into the Winter Olympics !

Definitely try these and tag @childcareed on your video to get featured in our stories!

Follow ChildCareEd and hop on to www.ChildCareEd.com for tons of free resources and child care trainings.

Big Feelings Helper (Quick Script) 💛

Big feelings are normal—kids just need our calm to borrow. 💛

Read (quick + helpful):

➡️ Big feelings: helping kids calm down (age-by-age)

Use this simple “3-step script” (works in real life):

Name it: “You feel mad.”

Safety: “I won’t let you hit.”

Help: “Let’s squeeze a pillow or stomp feet—then we can try again.”

Free printables to support calm-down time:

Visual cue cards for calming tools

Peace Corner (Mindfulness Nook) activity

🎓 Unlimited Learning = More Peace of Mind

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Looking for an easy, flexible way to complete your child care training? ChildCareEd’s Subscription Packages give you unlimited learning power—designed for teachers, assistants, directors, and family child care providers alike!

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✨ Use your own individual account

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If you’re part of a program using Group Admin, courses can also be assigned and tracked all in one place—making training simple and organized.

👉 Learn more about subscriptions & Group Admin here:

https://www.childcareed.com/a/group-admin-subscriptions.html

And that’s just the beginning! Subscribers can explore a wide variety of professional development courses to stay compliant, grow skills, and advance confidently.

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Train on your schedule and finish strong—no stress, no rushing.