Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children Scholarship!

The Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children is offering a $1,000 scholarship for a student who has completed a minimum of 60 semester hours, who is attending or registered to attend a four-year institution of higher education leading to a Bachelors Degree, and who is majoring or minoring in early childhood education or child development. Students who are matriculating from a two-year institution to a four-year institution are eligible for this scholarship.

A detailed description of the scholarship is attached along with an application form. The application is also available online at http://www.miaeyc.org/. Applications must be postmarked by January 21, 2011 and the award will apply to the fall semester 2011.

Opportunity for Comments on the CDC Proposed Administrative Rules

On December 15th the Office of Early Education and Care posted Rule Set 2005-078-HS in the Michigan Register. The proposed rules will impose standardized penalties through formalized disqualifications in the child care program for the provider and client found to be non-compliant or in violation with the child care regulations.


Comments on the rules can be made in person at the following hearings or submitted by fax (517)241-8679 or mail:

Department of Human Services
Child Development and Care
Suite 1512
P O Box 30037
Lansing, MI 48909-9750

Written comments will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. on February 4, 2011.

Hearings:
• January 19, 2011 (5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.) at United Way of Southeastern Michigan; 660 Woodward, Ste. 300; Detroit, MI 48226
• January 20, 2011 (1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.) at the University Center; 80 Livingston Blvd; Gaylord, MI 49735
• January 25, 2011 (2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) at the Kalamazoo RESA; 1819 East Milham Ave; Portage, MI 49002
• January 27, 2011 (2:00 to 4:00 p.m.) at the Saginaw ISD Transition Center; 3860 Fashion Square Blvd; Saginaw, MI 48603

The rules are published on the Michigan Government web site at http://www.michigan.gov/soahr as well as at the DHS website at http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dhs/CDC.doc.12.13.10_340493_7.pdf

Copies of the draft rules may also be obtained by mail or electronic transmission by contacting 517-241-9492

Washtenaw County Preschool Expo!

Just Sharing: Healthy Childcare Publication

Healthy Childcare provides 1 hour of licensing approved training from each issue. We publish 6 issues a year. The trainings are free for subscribers, a one year subscription is $23.95. Each issue offers health and safety information on health, safety, nutrition, and medical situations and is up to date and easy to use. More information can be found here: http://www.healthychild.net/

From time to time, we hear from organizations who offer training/events in the community that is consistent with our mission. We'll be sharing this information with you in our "Just Sharing" features here on the blog. Please note that Child Care Network does not necessarily endorse the programs, organizations or businesses listed. If you are interested in sharing your early childhood training opportunities, let us know!

Just Sharing: Holiday Book Swap

One of the local Child Care Centers in Ypsilanti is holding a book swap open to anyone & everyone!
Check out the detals:

From time to time, we hear from organizations who offer training/events in the community that is consistent with our mission. We'll be sharing this information with you in our "Just Sharing" features here on the blog. Please note that Child Care Network does not necessarily endorse the programs, organizations or businesses listed. If you are interested in sharing your early childhood training opportunities, let us know!

2011 Building on Behalf of Children Conference

Child Care Network is excited to announce the Annual Building on Behalf of Children Conference will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2011 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at the EMU Student Center in Ypsilanti, MI


Our Keynote Speaker is Jeff Johnson. Jeff will be offering a humorous look at caregiver self-care and its impact on early learning with his Keynote Address: “Why Are You Wiping Your Nose on My Hand?

Interested in being a Workshop Presenter? Visit our website for details: http://bit.ly/5N2Ic9

Licensing Form Change & Grant Opportunity

Hello Child Care Professionals,

There has been a change to the Health Appraisal form for Licensing. The MDCH/BCAL-3305 has recently been updated. Read the letter below. *click to see it larger!

The updated version is on the Child Care Licensing website at www.michigan.gov/michildcare >Information for Providers >Forms.

Also, check out this grant opportunity! *this grant is not through Child Care Network, we are just sharing the information.

Funds for Child Care Teachers

Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation: National Child Care Teacher Awards


The Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation’s National Child Care Teacher Awards acknowledge the critical role of child care teachers in providing quality early care and education. Child care teachers from all 50 states and the District of Columbia are eligible to apply for these awards. Applicants must be full-time child care teachers employed in a home, group, or center-based program for a minimum of three years. As part of the application process, teachers are asked to design an enhancement project for the children in their classroom or home, illustrating the educational, social, and emotional benefits from the project. Fifty selected teachers will each receive a $1,000 grant; $500 to create the project and $500 for the teacher's personal use. Of the top ten recipients, one is selected to receive the Helene Marks Award, which includes an additional $1,000 award. Applications must be postmarked by December 6, 2010. Visit the Foundation’s website to download the application guidelines.

Zero to Three e-newsletter

From Baby to Big Kid 

Zero to Three’s new e-newsletter will enhance your work with infants and toddlers. You can sign up for yourself or have the parents you work with sign up. Delivered every month, this free e-newsletter showcases how children learn and grow from birth to 3 years old. From Baby to Big Kid translates the science of early childhood and offers strategies parents can tailor to their unique family situation and to the needs of their child. By signing up, each month you will receive an issue tailored to the child's age.
Go to http://www.zerotothree.org/child-development/from-baby-to-big-kid/ to sign up now!

p.s. Are you on Facebook? Like us today and be the first to get updates and information delivered right to your wall and you can even post comments, feedback or just say hi! www.facebook.com/ChildCareNetwork

Fall Training Schedule

Just a quick note to let everyone know that the Fall Training Schedule is now available! Visit http://www.greatstartconnect.com/ to view details and register.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Great Start Connect....connect today!!

Calling all Child Care Center Directors and Group & Family Home programs!

Have you updated your information at the Great Start Connect website? Many parents are using Great Start Connect to search for child care.

You can update your profile and add details about your program such as your hours, meals served, payment schedule, etc. You can even add up to 5 photos of your program! (Be sure to get written permission from parents if you plan to use photos of some of the children.)

If you have never logged on to update your information, here are 3 easy steps to access!
1. Visit Great Start Connect
2. Click on "Log-In"
3. Click on "First Time User" (You will need your license number & zip code)

It is easy, it is fun, and you can use this as free advertising to encourage families to enroll in your program!

Questions? Give us a call at 800-777-2861

Washtenaw County AEYC & ECDA Events for October

Wednesday, October 6th, 2010 7:00 p.m. Interactive Storytelling: STORIGAMI
Riverside Rooms on the Lower level of Concordia University’s Student Union

Come learn how paper, puppetry and storytelling have elements in common by storyteller Christine Petrell Kallevig with a special storytelling technique she calls STORIGAMI!!! Kallevig folds giant-sized paper as she tells stories. Each fold illustrates an action or character from the story, so by the time the story is over, a SURPRISE ORIGAMI FIGURE is MAGICALLY created in a seamless blending of these dynamic folk arts. Christine Petrell Kallevig is a children’s author, novelist, storyteller and origami artist.

Sponsored by Concordia University Kreft Arts Department & WCAEYC
This event is free to WCAEYC memebers, educators in the community & perspective WCAEYC members. Please RSVP to dsears@kendall.edu by 10/1/10

************************************************
Field Trip Opportunity for Centers and Schools Thursday October 7th, 2010 Christine Petrell Kallevig is having morning workshops on STORIGAMI for Children

Pre-Schoolers- 1st grade will have a program at 9:30 a.m. in the St. Paul gym.
The program will last about 30 minutes.

2nd-8th grade students will have a program at 10:15 a.m. in the St. Paul gym. The program will last 45 minutes.

Please contact mariambreed@sbcglobal.net to register for this program. (by October 4th)
In your email include school name and # of children coming.

The school and address is St. Paul Lutheran School 495 Earhart Rd. Ann Arbor

************************************************

Wednesday, October 27th WCAEYC joint luncheon with ECDA

Polo Fields Washtenaw (2955 Packard, Ypsilanti, Mi 48197 Starts at 11:15 Meal before the meeting.

Topic A-Heuristic Play with Shanon Lockhart from High Scope
Topic B -Praise VS Encouragement with Beth MeLampy from Gretchen's House

$25.00 please register for this event by contacting Kathy Young c/o Chelsea Community Hospital Children's Center (734) 475-2922

Washtenaw County ECDA

The Washtenaw County Early Childhood Directors Association brochure is available! (click the link to view)

The Washtenaw County ECDA is a professional organization for the directors, administrators and leaders of early childhood programs. They provide support to directors, serve as advocates of children’s issues, and provide resource and networking opportunities for early childhood professionals.


The ECDA meetings are held at the Polo Fields Washtenaw which is located at 2955 Packard Rd., Ypsilanti, MI 48197 and is near Washtenaw Community College and Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital.

The first presentation is on September 22, 2010, register early!

Fair Fuels Funds for Nonprofits!

PARKING AT UNITED WAY CENTER RAISES OVER $6,000 FOR LOCAL CHARITIES

Jackson, Michigan, August 23, 2010 – Fair goers did the community a good deed by parking at the United Way Center during fair week, August 8 through the 14th. In spite of high temperatures and frequent cloudbursts, over $6,000 was collected by Jackson County nonprofits to help their efforts in the community.

“Times are tough, and nonprofits are counting each nickel and dime, trying to make ends meet,” said Bruce VanEyck, newly appointed Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sister of Jackson County. “We thank everyone who made a donation while visiting the Fair, and I especially thank our wonderful volunteers who collected all the contributions. Our kids will benefit from every penny we raised.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters was one of seven Jackson County nonprofits who collected donations by parking cars during fair week. “Bigs” collected over $1,400 on Wednesday, August 11, the night of the concert by the popular rock group, “Styx”. Other nonprofits that raised funds include Child Care Network, LifeSpan…A Community Service, Jackson County Genealogy Center, Marriage Matters Jackson, Nonprofit Network, and United Way of Jackson County. All are tenants at the United Way Center campus.

The United Way of Jackson County is in its 75th year of serving the Jackson community. It supports over forty different programs and initiatives that provide thousands of Jackson County residents the opportunity for a better life. It is locally governed by a volunteer board of directors, chaired by Dave Mengebier, Senior Vice President, Consumers Energy.

QRIS Survey (Quality Rating and Improvement System)

A message from Jim Sinnamon at DHS...

Dear Child Care Professionals,


As you may know, the Great Start Early Learning Advisory Council (GS-ELAC) recently agreed to sponsor the development of a design for an early learning Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) for Michigan. The national Build Initiative has made resources available to the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC), which leads the Build work in Michigan, to fund the Great Start QRIS Design Project.

The QRIS Design Project is leading the development of a set of recommendations for a QRIS in Michigan that will provide:
• Easy access to information for families about the quality of early learning and care programs and the relationship between high quality programs and school readiness
• A quality development continuum (QDC) for enrolled, subsidized but unlicensed, child care providers (aide and relative providers)
• A quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) for licensed centers and registered family and group homes, including Great Start School Readiness Programs and Head Start Programs
• Data that demonstrate the impact of the QRIS and the QDC on helping to prepare children for school
• Quality improvement supports for early learning and care programs

In the coming weeks, the QRIS Design Project will be convening a Team to focus on the review and revision of Quality Standards under the QRIS for regulated centers and homes. To help the Quality Standard Team design quality standards that work for Michigan’s early care and education field, we are asking you to take a look at the draft QRIS standards developed in 2007 (our starting point), and provide guidance on three things: Which standards remain important and effective? Which standards should be changed based on new information? What’s missing, or what else should ECIC and other stakeholders consider as they move forward in designing and implementing the Michigan QRIS?

You can provide your feedback by taking a few minutes to complete this on-line survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QRISStandardStakeholderFeedback and by forwarding this to your colleagues so they can do the same!

Thank you for taking the time to offer your feedback, and for forwarding this message to your colleagues in the field.

Sandbox Party!!!

Hello Everyone,
There is still time to make plans to attend the Sandbox Party! Contact your local Great Start Collaborative for more information!

20th Annual Community Sharing for Healthy Caring Conference

The 20th Annual Community Sharing for Healthy Caring Conference brochure is now available! Visit the Child Connect for Family Success website (formerly Livingston 4C) to view details and register online.

'Sandbox Rocks' Video Contest!

Your homemade, 90-second video could be a winner! Tell the ECIC why early childhood programs are important to you (if you’re a kid), your child, your grandchildren, the neighbor kids or any Michigan infant or young child!


Check out the flyer for more information!

Hillsdale County Kiddie Bike Parade!

Hillsdale County is holding a Kiddie Bike Parade for children (ages 3-8 yrs.)! There will be goodie bags for all participants, and the winner of “Best Decorated Bike” wins $50.00! Please share with as many people (especially parents!) as possible!

Also, check out the Hillsdale Business Association Downtown Street Fair!

Summer 2010 Training Schedule

The Summer 2010 Training Schedule is now available! View class details and register online at http://www.greatstartconnect.com/!


P.S. This is the 100th post on this blog! Yahoo!!!

Just Sharing: Training Opportunity with Kaplan

Kaplan Professional Development Presents:

The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool

August 18-19, 2010 in Ann Arbor, MI

Click here for more information and to register!


From time to time, we hear from organizations who offer training in the community that is consistent with our mission. We'll be sharing this information with you in our "Just Sharing" features here on the blog. Please note that Child Care Network does not necessarily endorse the programs, organizations or businesses listed. If you are interested in sharing your early childhood training opportunities, let us know!

New requirements of the Child Care Organizations Act, 1973 Public Act 116

Did you know about the new requirements of the Child Care Organizations Act, 1973 Public Act 116 that took effect last month?
All child care homes and centers must maintain a licensing notebook which includes all licensing inspection reports, special investigation reports and all related corrective action plans (CAP). The notebook must also include a summary sheet outlining all the reports and CAPs contained in the notebook. The Licensing Notebook Summary Sheet (BCAL-5052) may be used as the required summary sheet in the licensing notebook. The notebook must include all reports issued and CAPs developed on and after May 27, 2010 until the license or registration is closed.

All child care providers must notify parents of the notebook and that it is available for review during regular business hours. Parents of children currently enrolled must be provided with this notification; prospective parents must also be informed of the notebook.

• For family and group child care homes, this notification is now included on the BCAL-3900, the Child in Care Statement/Receipt. You must have all of your parents sign this updated BCAL-3900 to be in compliance with the new law.

• For child care centers, the Child in Care Statement/Receipt is not a form available for your use. To comply with the legislation, centers must assure that each parent sign a document that includes all of the following statements:

o The center maintains a licensing notebook of all licensing inspection reports, special investigation reports and all related corrective action plans.
o The notebook will be available to parents for review during regular business hours.
o Licensing inspection and special investigation reports from the past two years are available on the Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing website at www.michigan.gov/michildcare. The website address must be in bold print.

If you have questions about this legislation or what you must do to comply with the new law, please contact your licensing consultant.

Child Care Network needs your help!

Do you visit http://www.childcarenetwork.org/?  Please click here to take our quick & easy website survey and even enter to win a gift card. Thanks so much!

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood ® Michigan

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood ® Michigan is accepting applications for new scholarship recipients. There may be opportunities for retro reimbursement for coursework completed back to Fall, 2009 as well.

Just Sharing: Training Opportunity

CYJ Enterprises, LLC is a business solutions and consulting firm created to connect people through innovative solutions. They offer an emergency mangagement system as well as training. View the flyer for more information or check them out on the web: CYJ Enterprises

From time to time, we hear from organizations who offer training in the community that is consistent with our mission. We'll be sharing this information with you in our "Just Sharing" features here on the blog.
Please note that Child Care Network does not necessarily endorse the programs, organizations or businesses listed. If you are interested in sharing your early childhood training opportunities, let us know!

Breakfast on the Farm!

Fun Opportunity from the Washtenaw County MSU Extension Office:

Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 26, if you’re interested in enjoying a free Michigan-made breakfast while experiencing family fun and a chance to learn about local farm families who produce the food you eat.

Breakfast on the Farm is a family-oriented program that welcomes neighbors and area residents to enjoy a complimentary breakfast along with a self-guided tour of a family-owned farm. Attendees will be able to visit various educational stations and have opportunities to ask local farmers questions about raising animals, growing crops and living on a farm. The June 26 breakfast and farm tour takes place rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (breakfast served from 9 a.m. to noon) at Horning Farms, 11834 E. Pleasant Lake Road, near Manchester.
The event will be hosted by Earl and Diane Horning, winners of the 2010 Michigan State University (MSU) Dairy Farmer of the Year award, along with their son, Jeff, and his wife, Lynda, at the family’s six-generation family dairy operation started in 1877. Today, the farm consists of 360 milk cows, 410 head of young stock and 700 acres of cropland.

Domino’s Pizza will be supplying and preparing the food for the breakfast, which will include the introduction of a new breakfast pizza product that has, up until now, only been sampled in school meal programs. We are expecting 1500 to 2000 attendees.

Tickets are not required to participate in the farm tour, but they are required to receive the free breakfast. For tickets or more information about Breakfast on the Farm or to download directions to the Horning farm, call the Washtenaw County MSU Extension Office at 734-997-1678 or visit the Washtenaw County MSU Extension web site at http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/extension/breakfast-on-the-farm
or go to http://www.breakfastonthefarm.com/

Packard Health's Youth Health Fair and Be Well Block Party

Please share with your families: Packard Health's Youth Health Fair and Be Well Block Party!

Star Power 2010

Photo highlights taken at Star Power. A day where parents, children and other supporters of early childhood visited legistators and lawmakers at the capital! It was a great day!
*click the photos to enlarge the images

Community Sharing for Healthy Caring Call for Workshop Proposals

**Submit your proposal today, the deadline is June 15th!**

20th Annual Community Sharing for Healthy Caring
A Regional Early Childhood Conference

Saturday, November 13, 2010 8:00 am to 4:30 PM
Howell High School Campus Howell, Michigan, 48843

Presented by Child Connect for Family Success, in partnership with the Oakland County Child Care Council, Howell School District, Great Start SE Region Resource Center and Great Start Livingston
Call for Workshop Proposals
The 2010 Conference Planning Committee invites the submission of workshop proposals that will contribute to the healthy development and quality caring of children 0 through 14 years of age.

• The committee defines young children as 0 through 14 years of age.
• The day-long conference will be developed through the offering of workshops and a keynote address in eight specific areas relating to Early Childhood.
• The content areas are: Advocacy; Business; Child Care; Child Development; Medical; Infant/Toddler; Parent Education; Prevention; and School-Age.
You can complete and submit your workshop(s) proposal on line at our web-site by clicking on the following link : http://www.childcare4c.com/workshopform.php

Autism Speaks Walk in Saline

Click here for more information!

DHS forum on New Child Development and Care Program Admin Rules

The Department of Human Services is extending an invitation to parents, providers, partners, Great Start Collaboratives, Parent Coalitions and early childhood advocates to participate in a forum and review the draft of the rules in regards to Child Development and Care payments and to provide comments to DHS before formal public hearings occur.

The attached flyer can be distributed to your parent coalitions and other early childhood partners. We appreciate your assistance in getting the word out for participation in this forum. You are also welcome to participant.

Your RSVP would be appreciated. Please call or email Pam Smith at 734-975-1840 ext. 13

The forum will be held on May 27, 2010 from 10a-12 noon, at the Ingham County Human Services Building at 5303 South Cedar Street in Lansing, MI 48911 in Conference Room D&E.

From the parking lot enter door #3. Go up the stairs (or elevator). At the top of the stairs is a long hallway (walking toward the back of the building just opposite from where you entered). Follow that hallway to a set of stairs. At these stairs turn LEFT and continue down the hallway. The hallway will turn Right, then Left and through a doorway. Conference Room D&E is on the RIGHT immediately after walking through the doorway.

There will be a sign in sheet as you arrive. Thank you for your assistance in providing comments and review of the draft of the New Child Development and Care Program Administrative Rules.

Last week to register for the BBC Conference!

Thank you so much to everyone who has already registered for the Building on Behalf of Children Conference!

If you have not, there is still time! Information and registration is available on our website! There are scholarships available, call 734-975-1840 for more information.

The conference will be held at the EMU Student Center in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Our keynote speaker, Lisa Murphy, The Ooey Gooey Lady!® and author of The Ooey Gooey® Handbook, will start our day off by educating, entertaining, and motivating participants with her experiences and philosophies. Following the keynote, there will be 3 sessions with a variety of great breakout workshops to choose from!

We have a ton of great vendors including Arts & Scraps, Child Care Network, Etc. Designs, Kaplan, Kemner-Iott, Music for Little Folks, The Olive Press, Lia Sophia Jewelry, My Urban Toddler, Penguin Juice, Praises Prizes and Presents, Teaching Treasures, Usborne Books, WCAEYC, WCC, WECDA, Washtenaw Success by 6, Arbonne Cosmetics, Discovery Toys, Miche Bags, The Fabulous Mr. Fix-It, Discovery Toys and possibly more.

Register today at www.childcarenetwork.org, see you on Saturday!

Washtenaw County Touch-a-Truck

Touch-a-Truck!

Has your child ever wanted to sit in the driver’s seat of a school bus? Explore the inside of an ambulance? Climb aboard a cement mixer? Get up close with these and many other vehicles at Touch-a-Truck!

Briarwood Mall on Saturday May 22, 2010 9am-Noon

Come enjoy a morning of fun (rain or shine)!

It's free fun for the whole family brought to you by Washtenaw Success by 6 and the Washtenaw Great Start Parent Coalition.

Washtenaw County Imagination Library

Attend the Launch of the Imagination Library in Washtenaw County!

Sponsored by Washtenaw Head Start, Washtenaw Success by 6, the Ann Arbor Links & the Literacy Coalition of Washtenaw County, the Imagination Library will bring free books to children from birth to age 5.
When: 10:30 - noon on Friday, April 30th
Where: Washtenaw County Head Start - 1661 Leforge in Ypsilanti

Child Passenger Safety Technician Course in Livingston County

Does your agency work with or serve children and their families? If so, do you realize that over 90% of car seats inspected in Livingston County have been found to be installed or used incorrectly? Most of those mistakes can be corrected when a parent or caregiver works with a child passenger safety technician, or "car seat tech".
Consider sending an employee or staff member to become certified as a car seat tech! Interested persons do not need to be "professional" social workers, fire fighters, nurses, etc. Our most dedicated volunteers are people who are interested and passionate about keeping kids safe! Maybe it's a secretary, a volunteer parent or grand-parent, or someone who's life has been touched by a car crash, and would like to make a difference in their community!


Safe Kids Huron Valley and the Brighton State Police Post are hosting a Child Passenger Safety Technician Course in late April and early May at the Brighton Fire Department on Old-US 23, near Hyne Rd., in Brighton. Course dates are April 29 & 30 and May 7 & 8 from 8am to 5pm. Participation all four days is mandatory. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be certified child passenger safety, or "car seat" technicians.

Register at the CPS Certification website at http://cert.safekids.org/ Click on "Find a Course", choose Michigan from the drop down menu and be sure to check the box at the bottom that indicates "Also Show Invitation Only/Controlled Courses." There is not a local site fee, so the only cost is the $75 certification fee to Safe Kids USA. Emergency Nursing CEU's are available as well! Space is limited, so sign up soon!

Questions can be directed to Dianne Degregorio at, Buckle Up coordinator with Safe Kids Huron Valley at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, at 734-764-7229.

Please forward this message along to your networks! We are hoping to build our group of local technicians and help keep the kids in Livingston County safe!

Child Care Provider Appreciation Day at AAHOM! This Sunday!

Dear Child Care Professionals,
Child Care Network appreciates your dedication to quality care and your commitment to the families and children in your care. As a way to show our gratitude, we invite you and your family to enjoy an afternoon at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum on Sunday, April 25, 2010. You and your family will receive ½ of the admission price!

Thank you for all that you do, we appreciate you, hope to see you there.

CCN will have tickets available at the door as well.

Jackson County Family Expo! April 30, 2010

The Jackson Alliance for Families is hosting the Jackson Family Expo on Friday, April 30, 2010.

“Family Fun is Out of This World”

This event is being held at Jackson Westwood Mall from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

The purpose of this event is to highlight the importance of building strong relationships between parents and children, foster individual and familial strengths and encourage learning, in honor of Parenting Awareness Month (March), Month of the Young Child (April) and Child Abuse Prevention Month (April).

There will be “do-together” educational activities, games and crafts for parents and children of all ages. Local agencies will provide information about their services, offer promotional items like stickers, gadgets, pens, and note-pads. At 7:30 prizes will be raffled off to everyone participating.

Washtenaw County ECDA Invites You to Attend...

“Spring Shape Up! Marketing”
Exercise your marketing ability and get your center and staff into tiptop shape! We’ll strengthen your marketing plan, get your staff involved in shaping your message and use the 5 P’s to tighten up.
A fun hands-on approach to the workshop will leave you energized for springing into action to market your center!
Presented by Pam Smith
April 28, 2010  11:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.


Washtenaw Country Club/Polo Fields 2955 Packard Rd. Ypsilanti, MI 48197

Registration Fee: $25.00 Includes a Fajita Lunch Buffet

For Questions Call Kathy or Shannon at: (734) 475-3922
or email Candy for a registration form!

WCSACCA Learning Fair 2010 "No Child Left Inside"

*Updated 4/23/2010: This learning fair has been cancelled. If you are interested in participating in 2011, contact Mary Anna Dickinson at (734) 761-7101*

Washtenaw County School Age Child Care Association - Learning Fair 2010 "No Child Left Inside"

There once was a time when the children playing outside climbed trees, hid in tall grasses, discovered new insects, and waded in creeks and ponds. Today, children spend more time indoors watching television or playing video games.

Nature Connections will share some ideas to implement in our programs so we can provide rich and powerful outdoor experiences that children will remember for a lifetime.

Date: Thursday, April 29

Location: Liberty School, 7265 N. Ann Arbor Street, Saline, MI 48176

Cost: $14 per person

Registration, Dinner and Activity Tables: 5:45 - 6:30 pm  "No Child Left Inside" Sessions 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Door Prizes, Certificates and Activity Packets 8:30 pm

Get fun new outdoor activities to use in your programs!

For more information contact Mary Anna Dickinson at (734) 761-7101

Building on Behalf of Children Conference

Great News! The Building on Behalf of Children Conference information and registration is now available. Visit our website to view the brochure, session descriptions and even register online. 

The conference will be held at the EMU Student Center in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Our keynote speaker, Lisa Murphy,  The Ooey Gooey Lady!® and author of The Ooey Gooey® Handbook, will start our day off by educating, entertaining, and motivating participants with her experiences and philosophies.  Breakout sessions will follow. 

Register today to secure your space... we hope to see you there!

Livingston County 4C Presents: Songs In The Key of B

Songs In The Key of "B" with The Music Lady
Interactive Children's Concert for the Whole Family! 

Saturday, April 24, 2010
6:30-7:30 pm

Heart of The Shepherd Child Development Center
228 N. Burkhart Rd. Howell, MI 48843

Admission
Adults: $5.00
Children ages 1-13: $3.00
Children under 1: Free

For more information call 517-548-9112

The Years of Wonder Conference

The Years of Wonder Conference


April 24, 2010
at the Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor Lower School campus
2775 Newport Road, 8:00 am – 5 pm.

The conference is designed for parents, educators, homeschoolers and others interested in enriching their parenting skills, practices that foster vigorous brain development and creating a healthy, nurturing home environment! Author and long time early childhood educator Sharifa Oppenheimer will lead the conference as keynote speaker with a lecture entitled: “How Children Learn and How Parents Can Best Help Them”. $60 Registration Fee. Brochure and registration form available on the website, steinerschool.org

*Child Care Network is sharing this information, please direct all questions to the Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor. Thanks!

Spring Training...

... not of the baseball variety!

The Spring Training schedule is now available! Child Care Network is genuinely excited to share that you can now view all of our trainings at Great Start Connect and you can actually register online as well!
All the class information, including class description, class details and CEU information is viewable all in the same location.

If you'd like to register by phone, call us at 734-975-1840 ext. 11.

If you are a licensed child care home or center, you can also view and register for classes when you login to Great Start Connect to update your profile. If you haven't updated your profile or don't have your password, please contact us as we are really striving to have all the information correct for parents when they search for care.

You can also view the schedule at a glance by visiting the Child Care Network website. Please note that Child Care Network will no longer be mailing a quarterly training schedule. All trainings will be posted on Great Start Connect as they become available.

Happy Spring, everyone!

Celebrate Parenting Awareness Month

Celebrate Parenting Awareness Month
at Washtenaw Community College

Free Seminar and Discussion:
Getting Children Off to a Good Start: Strategies for Improving Achievement

March 24, 2010 from 5:30pm – 7:00pm

Washtenaw Community College Business Education Bldg., BE 160

Presenter: Dr. Susan B. Neuman

Professor in Educational Studies at University of Michigan, Director of the Michigan Research Program on Ready to Learn and other projects which emphasize on changing the odds for children in poverty.  She is an acclaimed author of several books including “Changing the Odds for Children at Risk (Teachers College Press, 2009).

Open to all students, faculty, staff and public

The Great Start Southeast RRC Jackson County Hub Office is now open!

Child Care Network is excited to announce that the Great Start Southeast RRC Jackson County Hub Office is now open!

At the Great Start Southeast Regional Resource Center (GSRRC) in Jackson, Cheryl will provide trainings and resources for relative/child care aides, licensed providers and center staff as well as support for program improvement. Support for families seeking non-traditional child care is also available through the GSRRC.

Cheryl Chaves-Torres, M.A. Ed has been involved in the field of Early Childhood Education for over 30 years. During that time, she has been involved in all aspects of the field from assistant teacher to director to college instructor.

Cheryl has served on the board of Washtenaw County AEYC and Michigan AEYC and is an assessor for the NAEYC Academy for Excellence in Early Childhood Education Programs. In 2009, Cheryl started ECE Consulting and has provided training and support to Wayne County Health & Family Services Head Start and will be a presenter at the Ohio AEYC conference in April.

The GSRRC is located in the Child Care Network office at 536 N. Jackson. Call: (517) 817-0820 for more information.

**March 13, 2010: Edited with the correct phone number for the Jackson office**

How To Be Creative :: From School-Age Notes

The following was taken from an e-newsletter from School-Age Notes and is being shared with permission. We hope it will inspire you as much as it did us!

"Trust that little voice in your head that says, 'Wouldn't it be interesting if ...' And then do it." Duane Michals, American photographer
At Sunday nights Academy Awards ceremony, Michael Giacchino won an Oscar for best Original Score for the movie Up.
His acceptance speech, which was less than a minute, provided an inspirational message for anyone who works with children:

"When I was 9 I asked my dad, 'Can I have your movie camera, that old wind-up 8 millimeter camera that was in your drawer?' And he goes, 'Sure, take it.' And I took it and I started making movies with it and I started being as creative as I could and never once in my life did my parents ever say, 'What you're doing is a waste of time.' Never. And I grew up. I had teachers, I had colleagues, I had people that I worked with all through my life who were always telling me 'What you're doing is not a waste of time.' So that was normal to me that it was okay to do that. I know there are kids out there that don't have that support system, so if you're out there and you're listening, listen to me: If you want to be creative, get out there and do it. It's not a waste of time. Do it.


Encourage the children and youth in your after-school program to work toward their dreams, whether they want to go to college, go to Hollywood or go to the moon.

www.schoolagenotes.com

WCAEYC Month of the Young Child Concerts!

Washtenaw County Association for the Education of Young Children is EXCITED to present its
Annual Month of the Young Child Concert with the Chenille Sisters!

Friday, April 16th, 2010

Washtenaw Community College– Towsley Auditorium.

Tickets are 50¢ each

2 shows! 9 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.

Limited space! Please contact Jody Saum, WCAEYC MOYC chair, at 734-997-9321 for tickets or more information.

Celebrate Parenting Awareness Month at Washtenaw Community College

Celebrate Parenting Awareness Month at Washtenaw Community College


Free Lunch and Workshop
Dr. Mary Bigler, Eastern Michigan University

Explore the joys and challenges of parenting with humor and a positive attitude
Create a happy and healthy family

When: Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
11:30apm – 1:30pm

Where: BE 160

Pre-register today! Call Student Resource and Women’s Center 734 677-5105

Safe Sleep Awareness

Each year over one hundred infants die in Michigan because of where and how they are placed for sleep.

On March 5, 6, and 7, 2010, in celebration of Parenting Awareness Month and to raise awareness of these totally PREVENTABLE deaths, Washtenaw Area Council for Children and Safe Kids Huron Valley will be hosting a display table of information during mall hours for new and expecting parents, and others at Briarwood Mall near the JC Penney mall entrance.
Included will be demonstrations of safe and unsafe sleep environments, important handouts on how to safely sleep your baby, and someone to answer questions. We will also be holding a drawing for a FREE Graco Pack 'n Play portable crib, courtesy of Safe Kids Huron Valley. Also, highlighted will be other infant mortality information in an effort to reduce infant death in Washtenaw County.

For more information please contact info@washtenawchildren.org or call the Council office at 734-434-4215.

Save the Date: Washtenaw Area Council for Children Annual Conference

The Washtenaw Area Council for Children announces its Annual Conference for 2010: 
Save the Date: Friday, April 16, 2010 from 9 AM - 12:30 PM at Washtenaw County ISD.


This year's presentation, "Hurt, Rage, and Emotional Maltreatment - Is there anything we can do?," is an intense workshop focusing on the root cause of rage and how connected it is to emotional maltreatment and neglect. Love and attachment as the direct opposite of "benign" neglect and behavioral and emotional effects of the neglected child will be discussed. Also included will be a discussion on corrective measures for the emotionally maltreated child. This workshop will be appropriate for those who work with all ages of children.

The presenter is Phillip D. Hamberg, LMSW, LMFT who has experience presenting in areas of early childhood development, early childhood trauma, childhood violence, K-12 classroom behavior problems and pre-school behavioral problems. We will again be applying for Social Work CEUs for this conference.

Watch their website: www.washtenawchildren.org for more info as it becomes available.

Teacher Talk Trainings

Teacher Talk Trainings coming to Adventure Center in Ypsilanti...save your space now!

To register for Teacher Talk™ Trainings, please contact Pam McClure at: or 734-994-8100

Training Sessions:All trainings run from 6:00-8:30
1. Encouraging Language Development in Early Childhood Settings
Feb. 9, Mar 9, 2010
Additional Training: Sharing Sensitive News-Feb. 23

2. Let Language Lead the Way to Literacy
Mar. 23, Apr. 13, 2010

3. Fostering Peer Interaction in Early Childhood Settings
Apr.27, May 11, 2010

First Aid & CPR

We are excited to announce that we have a free CPR/First Class available for child care providers who meet the income guidelines listed below. There are limited spaces available.

Saturday, February 27, 2010 from 9am-5:30pm
*both the full class & renewals can be done.

The income guidelines are listed below.
Family Size: Maximum Income:
1 Person $44,800
2 Person $51,200
3 Person $57,600
4 Person $64,000
5 Person $69,100
6 Person $74,250
7 Person $79,350
8 Person $84,500

The Red Cross building is located at 4624 Packard Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48108.
Call Candy at 734-975-1840 ext. 11 for more information or to register!

Also, don't forget about the FREE & low cost trainings now available:
The Winter 2010 Training Schedule is now available! Thanks to the grant from the ECIC, we are now offering many FREE classes. http://bit.ly/5N2Ic9

Upcoming WCAEYC Workshops

February 11th , 2010
“De-Stressing Staff… A Teacher’s survival guide to the NAEYC accreditation process.”
What teacher’s need to know/prepare for an Accreditation On-Site Visit .

Registration at 6:15. Speaker at 6:30.
Presenter: Cheryl Chaves. NAEYC accreditation assessor.
Location: St. Paul’s 420 West Liberty. Ann Arbor. (Corner of Liberty and Third. park in the 3rd St. parking lot,)
Free to WCAEYC members. $10.00 for non-members.
Please register by emailing Mariam.

March 24th, 2010
Documentation Boards
Documentation boards including photographs, transcriptions, and artifacts, serve as a visual archive of children's learning it “makes learning visible” to parents and children and enhances children’s recall of events. Learn some quick techniques to create several different types of panels, books, and boards to authenticate learning in your classroom.

Registration begins at 6:. Speakers at 6:15.
Presenters: Julie Bass, Kelly Wade & Natalie Wiesend.

Location: Jewish Community Center 2935 Birch Hollow Dr. Ann Arbor.
Free to WCAEYC members. $10.00 for non-members.
Please register by emailing Mariam.

Free Training through Child Care Network!

The Winter 2010 Training Schedule is now available! Thanks to the grant from the ECIC, we are now offering many FREE classes. http://bit.ly/5N2Ic9

Call 800-777-2861 ext. 11 to register!

Resource Kits Available!

Child Care Network has resource kits available!

We have the following kits available for pick-up at our main office (we're happy to make arrangements to get them to other counties as well):

Numeroff book and puppet kit (If You Give a Mouse a Muffin)
Puppets/Animals
Community Helpers Dramatic Play
Fine Motor/Manipulatives
Gross Motor
Multicultural Baby Dolls
Multicultural Food and Books
Music
Posters
Assorted Plastic Animals
Large Infant mirror
Baby stroller

You can borrow one kit at a time and keep it for up to one month!
Call Kim at 734-975-1840 ext. 29 to reserve a kit and arrange a pick-up time.

Happy New Year to you!