Tuesday, October 1, 2013


THANK YOU   THANK YOU    THANK YOU


to the staff and directors at Hallie Q. Brown Child Early Learning Center, Baby Space, and Little Voyageurs Montessori School who hosted their center colleagues for the third annual Tour of Quality Centers.


This year’s Tour of Quality Centers featured three very different programs with 4 Star Parent Aware Ratings. Baby Space pioneered innovative space design and “development from the baby’s point of view” providing early childhood development for vulnerable young children and supporting parents in Minneapolis’ Native American community; Little Voyageurs Montessori emphasizes creative discovery through the Montessori approach to learning; and the community legacy program Hallie Q. Brown recently strengthened and improved the quality of the Child Early Learning Center through new leadership and participation in Project Early Kindergarten and Parent Aware.

Join us for the next

Early Childhood Directors Group

October 10th – 10:00 am – noon

2021 Hennepin Ave. E., Minneapolis  55413

Special book reading by Mike Huber, early childhood educator and author of six stories for the new Redleaf Lane children's books. Mike Huber also works at Seward Child Care Cooperative in Minneapolis.
Think Small is excited to announce the launch of its new children’s books, Redleaf Lane. These stories take place in group-care settings, making them especially engaging to children who spend part of their day in child care programs. The first collection of Redleaf Lane children’s books will be released this November.
Each title in the six-book collection features loveable characters facing situations that all children are likely to experience—from the challenge of entering play with others to the separation anxiety they sometimes feel when apart from a parent. The books are all available for preorder now. Learn more about them, the authors, and the imprint at www.RedleafPress.org.
Join your colleagues for networking and discussion of early childhood policy priorities for the next Minnesota Legislative session.  

There is no charge for this meeting.
RSVP to Nancy Johnson – njohnson@thinksmall.org
          
The Early Childhood Directors Group meets monthly
 on the second Thursday from 10:00 am – noon
Think Small’s Minneapolis office
2021 Hennepin Ave. E., Suite 250, Mpls, 55413
 

HomProfessionals & CaregiverProfessional DevelDirectors Online Credential

The Eager-to-Learn Online Director’s Credential offers intentional competency-building for participants in the areas of administration, supervision/management and leadership. As the scope of work a director faces continues to evolve, so too should their learning opportunities. In response to feedback straight from the field, new courses have been included in the 2013 Credential to support the development of skills in areas such as building cultural competency, professional ethics and coaching staff for continuous growth.

Applications are now being accepted for entry into Eager-to-Learn’s Director Credential learning community with coursework beginning in February, 2013 and concluding in December, 2013. Flexible payment plan options are available.

An added benefit for Minnesota Directors: An approved Director’s Credential earns an extra point for your Parent Aware Quality Rating.

Now Accepting T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Applications
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® MINNESOTA is a scholarship program intended to help early childhood and school-age care professionals increase their levels of education, compensation and commitment to the field. T.E.A.C.H. has a history of helping Minnesota child care professionals earn college credits, degrees and credentials.
For more information and to download an application, visit the T.E.A.C.H. section on the Child Care Aware of Minnesota website. Applications must be postmarked by November 1.
 
CDA Information and Consulting Available
Holly Meuers, Education Coordinator, Child Care Aware of MN is available to help teachers ad providers plan their professional development.

· CDA Advising and scholarship opportunities Pathways to higher education

· General support in planning your future

· Professional Development Face to face, phone or online meeting options available

Contact Holly for information or to set up an appointment: hollym@childcareawaremn.org or 651-290-9704 ext. 109
 
Minnesota's Future Hosting Policy Hour

 
Directors and staff are invited to Policy Hour, a monthly opportunity for early childhood professionals to connect and learn about current policy issues in an informal setting. Feel free to bring your lunch!

 

Policy Hour is held the first Tuesday of each month, October 2013 - June 2014, from Noon-1pm at Think Small (2021 East Hennepin Avenue, Suite 250, Minneapolis, MN 55413.) No RSVP is required.

Minnesota’s Future is pleased to be able to continue the work of Child Care Works by giving Policy Hour a new home and ensuring early childhood and school-age care professionals have a place to come together.

 
Questions: Please contact Vicki Shofner at vicki.shofner@mlfcca.org.

 
MDE announces scholarship program

The Minnesota Department of Education has announced that $40 million in Early Learning Scholarships are now available to Minnesota families. Beginning October 1, low income families are eligible to apply for a scholarship. Up to $5,000 per scholarship will be awarded to students, aged three to five, with the highest needs in order to improve school readiness in Minnesota.

Scholarships may be used at any early childhood program participating in Parent Aware. The Parent Aware programs a family may choose include Head Start, school-based pre-kindergarten and preschool programs, and child care programs.

The scholarships were distributed to the state's 13 economic development regions. Each region has been assigned a Scholarship Administrator who will be the contact person for families looking for more information.

Click here for more information on the about the MDE's Early Learning Scholarship Program.


 




 


 

 

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