Early Childhood Director's Group

Center Directors – This Training is Designed For You

Third Thursday Directors Training

Thursday, February 20th^th  10:00 am - noon

Think Small, 2021 E. Hennepin Ave., Mpls  55413

More Than Raffi:  Musical Literacy

in the Early Childhood Setting

MNCPD approved training taught by professional musician and early childhood educator Kathy Lee. Two hours in-service, $22 fee. REGISTER at least 7 days in advance to avoid $5 admin fee. To register, call Nancy at 651-233-2260 or email njohnson@thinksmall.org

Music training sharpens children’s brain pathways, enhancing cognitive, creative, and social/emotional development. We hear a lot about supporting early literacy in early childhood environments - but what about musical literacy?  Music engages many different areas of the brain: language, mathematical thinking, and more.  And you don't have to be a professional musician to teach the building blocks of music. 

Learn how to coach your teachers to incorporate basic musical concepts into their day to enrich children’s experience and get those synapses firing!

“We not only need to equip [children] with the ability to answer the questions relevant to the world we now inhabit… We need learning that will enable students to interpret complexity, to adapt and make sense of lives they never anticipated… In other words, we need learning that incorporates what the arts teach us.”     Harvard President Drew Faust and musician Wynton Marsalis, in "The Art of Learning," USA Today, January 2, 2014.

The Early Childhood Directors Group meets on the second Thursday of the month for facilitated discussion, resource sharing and networking.

2014 Second Thursday Meeting Schedule:

January 9^th , March 13^th, April 10^th, June 12^th, August 14^th, October 9^th, and November 13th.

All meetings are 10:00 am – noon at Think Small, 2021 Hennepin Ave. E., Suite 250, Mpls, 55413.

These meetings are FREE and open to all center directors and assistant directors.

Third Thursday Trainings are designed for center directors, assistant directors and education coordinators.

2014 Third Thursday TRAINING DATES:

February 20^th,   May 15^th    August 21^st 

All trainings are MNCPD approved for 2 clock hours and a $22 fee is charged. Trainings are 10:00 am – noon at Think Small on 2021 E. Hennepin Ave., Suite 250, Mpls, 55413.

Also plan on joining us for the 2014 Tour of Quality Programs on September 18^th.

Registration for trainings must be made 7 days in advance by contacting Nancy Johnson, 651-233-2260 or njohnson@thinksmall.org.

Be An “In The Know” Advocate

Join us on Februaruy 4th  - noon-1 PM - for our next Policy Hour for an update on Early Learning Scholarships and presentation of the Minnesota's Future Coalition members' policy agendas.

Policy Hour is an opportunity for directors to join other ECE advocates in learning about public policy issues and the change process from the people involved. Monthly meetings are free and held on the second Tuesday from Noon-1:00 p.m. at Think Small 2021 East Hennepin Avenue, Suite 250, Minneapolis, MN 55413. No RSVP is required.  Feel free to bring your lunch.

Curious about Parent Aware Ratings?

 

Come to a FREE Quality Tune Up  

Learn about the components of Parent Aware

Stop by between 5:30—8:00 p.m.

Monday, March 10^th, 2014

Think Small, 2021 Hennepin Ave. East, Mpls,55413

The Quality Tune Up Open House includes information on:

•         Options for Training and Education

•         Completing your Learning Record on the MNCPD Registry

•         Lesson Plans and Curriculum

•         Daily Schedules

•         Parent Orientation and Conferences

•         Resources to Share with Parents

•         Child Observation and Assessment Practices

•         Sharing Child Assessments with Parents 

•         Early Learning Scholarship Information

What's new?

Higher rates for quality in March 2014

Child care centers that achieve a 3- or 4-Star Parent Aware Rating will be eligible for higher Child Care Assistance Program rates starting in March, 2014. Program that achieve a 3-Star Parent Aware Rating will be eligible for rates of 15% above the county maximum rates. Programs that achieve a 4-Star Parent Aware Rating will be eligible for rates of 20% above the county maximum rates.

Center Teachers – APPLY Before

January 31^st, 2014

for R.E.E.T.A.I.N. Bonus Grants

 

Compensation is the #1 reason given by early childhood teachers for leaving their jobs. R.E.E.T.A.I.N. bonuses are awarded to reduce turnover of teachers and providers who have earned a CDA or an Associate Degree, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.

REETAIN applications must be submitted by January 31, 2014. For eligibility requirements and application details, visit the Child Care Aware of Minnesota website

 

R.E.E.T.A.I.N. rewards child care professionals who have:

·                 Earned a degree or the CDA (National Child Development Associate Credential)

·                 Demonstrated a commitment to continuing education and professional development

·                 Worked in the same program/center for at least a year

·                 Worked with the same children for a minimum of 30 hours per week

Depending on your education level, R.E.E.T.A.I.N. bonuses grants award range from $1,000 - $3,500.  The awards are considered a bonus and can be used for personal or professional purposes.  Please note that this is a highly competitive process.

For more information about R.E.E.T.A.I.N. visit the Child Care Aware of Minnesota website  or contact Valerie Peterson at valeriep@childcareawaremn.org or call 651-290-9704 (ext. 107).

R.E.E.T.A.I.N. is a project of Child Care Aware of Minnesota.   

Try out the Registry’s NEW Facelift

The changes to the MN Center for Professional Development Registry at www.mncpd.org   include  improved search functions to find approved training and trainers and to check the status of applications and renewal dates. Comprehensive information at  MNCPD - FAQ.

 

Think Small Class Registrations

Go Online

The online version of Think Small’s training calendar is now available 24/7 on www.MNStreams.org . Included are class titles, descriptions, instructors, dates, times, and fees. Mail in registrations are no longer accepted. Please register and apply for classes on www.MNStreams.org 

NOTE: Before starting a new account on MNStreams, call Think Small’s Training Line and ask for your ID and Password:  651-641-3549.

If you’re having trouble finding or registering for courses online you can always call Think Small’s Training Line – 651-641-3549.  Leave your message and a training coordinator will get back to you.

Parent Aware Update

Imagine Target Field jam packed full of people

Now imagine them all using Parent Aware Ratings

That’s the new reality. Driven in part by the Ratings Ad Campaign on radio, TV, billboards, and the web, 39,735 “unique visitors” have gone to the Parent Aware website over the last six months alone. As the new ad campaign continues, the number of new users will continue to grow.

Many parents who use the Ratings use them silently. But they are there. An average of 6,600 brand new website visitors every month. Month after month. Year after year.

78% of parents who recall the ads say that, all things being equal, they would choose a Star Rated program over an unrated one; 4% would choose an unrated program.

New families enrolling their children are only one reward available to Parent Aware Rated programs. Free coaching, improvement grants, community recognition and $60 million in new scholarships and CCAP bonuses are also available to the growing number if providers volunteering for Parent Aware.

The website’s search function is now location-based so that parents can view a map of Parent Aware programs in their area. Check out the updated site at parentawareratings.org

For information about how your program can get started in Parent Aware call Carol Stromme 651-641-6644 or cstromme@thinksmall.org and visit parentawareratings.org