Building Families

Training

There will be no FCCERS (Family Child Care Environmental Rating Scale) training in June.  Funding has been expended for this year. Additional trainings will be scheduled for next fiscal year. I am sorry for giving incorrect information in our May Newsletter.

We are working on training for Child Care givers in our area. The following are tentative trainings and dates:

All the following classes in Webster City at the Building Families.

• Positive Behavior Supports: Ages 0 to 3 Modules on Tues evening:  6:30 to 9:30 PM on Sept. 15, 22, 29; Oct. 6,13
• Positive Behavior Supports:  Ages 3 to 5 Modules on Tues evening:  6:30 to 9:30 PM on Oct. 20, 27;  Nov. 3, 10, 17

We recommend you take PBS 0-3 before the preschool modules as this program builds on what caregivers do to encourage social emotional development in infants and toddlers.  You may sign up for one or both of series modules.

• ChildNet: Tues nights beginning in January

• Welcome to Child Care:  Thursday nights beginning in March.

• Positive Behavior Supports for Family Support Workers, Social Workers and Nurses: September 15^th and 29^th at the Building Families Office. This training will be two day long (15) hours long and will be focused on ages 0-3 and working with families.

• CCR&R is working on additional trainings to be facilitated for FY’ 10.

Professional Development Coordinator

CCR&R Regions now have their Professional Development Coordinators hired. In Region I, Sarah Dieck is available to provide assistance to preschools, childcare providers and centers on professional development. CDA assistance is also available. Sarah’s contact information is sdieck@midsioux.org or phone 800-859-2025.

First Years First

First Years First Requests for Proposals will be opening in June. Areas of interest include:

• Early care and education
• Family Support programs
• Health
• Science and technology

Grants require a 40% private sector local match with 10% being in-kind.

The new DHS child care licensing consultant begins his position Friday May 29, 2009.  His name is Ray Salsbury.  For the time being he will be housed in the Hamilton County DHS Office.  His phone number will be 515/832-9564.

KinderTrack

KinderTrack is the Iowa web based system for child care assistance and provider registration. It will replace the current system of filling out paper forms and returning them to the local DHS office. It will be a secure access for child care for families and child care providers. Some of the information that will be available for child care providers is:

      Provider Name, Address and Telephone

      Type of Care

      Quality Rating System Level

      Current Vacancies

      Hours of Operation

      Rates and Fees

      Provider’s Training History

      Complaints

Providers will be able to submit child care vouchers on line, register on line, and families will be able to apply for child care assistance and search for openings in child care on line. The system will be fully operational by December 1, 2009.

PARTNERING in communities

The Community can help children learn through the summer

ISU Extension Brochure

Proven Facts for Communities to Support Kids as Learners

Common community goals help kids learn. (1)

1. Kids spend 80–87% of their total waking hours outside of school.

2. Kids have a wide range of learning supports in their lives:

a. Families, including extended families and “fictive kin;”

b. Early childhood programs and caregivers;

c. Schools;

d. Out-of-school programs (recreation, 4-H, Scouts, museums);

e. Community organizations (faith, health and social services businesses);

f. Higher education.

3. Kids do better in school when they experience community supports that deliberately work toward the same goals to impact student learning in the community.

4. Kids do better in school when they experience coordinated community activities designed to have the most impact on student learning.

A family-friendly community culture helps kids learn. (2)

1. Kids who live in communities where people are committed to each other over time and pass on what it means to be a good person are less likely to be at-risk in their lives and as learners.

2. Kids who live in a community environment which is nurturing with high expectations, guidelines, and limits are less likely to be at-risk in their lives and as learners.

3. Kids are less likely to be at risk in their lives and as learners when they live in communities where:

a. Kids are treated as valuable contributors to the community by all citizens—not just those working directly with kids and families.

b. Kids have opportunities to interact meaningfully with people of all ages.

c. Kids’ well-being is an on-going deliberate focus.

PROVEN PRACTICES for families to support kids as learners

1. Good nutrition helps kids learn.

2. Physical activity helps kids learn.

3. Sleep helps kids learn.

4. Routines at home help kids learn.

5. Learning at home helps kids learn at school.

6. Love and limits help kids thrive and learn at school.

What is your community doing to help kids learn?

v  Saying “no” is proof of a toddler’s individuality,  an important first step to awareness of making their own choices.

v  By saying ‘NO’ the toddler is not declaring a war of wills; only the adult can turn it into one.

v  Shaming a toddler when they say “no” makes them question their own abilities and thoughts.

Overcome resistance with play by:

v  Exaggerating your own reaction “Oh my goodness! You’re not going to lie down for your nap? What am I going to do?”-pretend to start crying or fall back in your chair in mock despair.

v  Imitate the resistance: “If you don’t eat, then I won’t either. Nosiree! You can’t make me do it! Don’t even try!”

v  Beg dramatically. “Oh, pleeeeease! Pleeeeease, oh powerful one, put on your coat for me!”

v  Play the yes-no game; “Noooo? Do you mean yesssss?”  Repeat and after several times say, “Okay, no!” Often children respond by laughing and saying, “Yes!”

Article, “No” Really Means  by J. Ronald Lally, Ed.D.