August 12, 2013
Great Start to Quality Resource Center Newsletter
In This Issue
STAR Ratings
Quick Links
www.greatstartCONNECT.org

www.greatstarttoquality.org

Our Sponsors
CONNECT


Click Here
Dear Great Start to Quality Providers,

This is your weekly touchpoint with the Great Start to Quality Consultants!  The focus each week will be a shared topic that will provide support to each of you in your daily work with young children and families.  Enjoy!

Dawn and Heather
Quality Improvement Consultants - Eastern Region

 
STAR Quality Ratings Went LIVE!


On August 10th all licensed and registered programs had their Great Start to Quality STAR ratings published on www.greatstartCONNECT.org !
 
Who went LIVE?
 
Programs and providers that have submitted their Self Assessment Survey (SAS).  Programs and providers that have not submitted their SAS began to go live as an empty star on August 10th.
 
Can I still participate?
 
ABSOLUTELY!!  Your Self Assessment Survey remains open and editable until it is submitted and can be submitted at any time.  Once you submit, your STAR rating will begin to be published on www.greatstartCONNECT.org . 
 
What do I do to submit my SAS?
 
Get started today by going to www.greatstartCONNECT.org and update your Profile, click on the Great Start to Quality STARS button to complete your Self Assessment Survey.
 
Need help getting started?  We are happy to help!  Contact your local Resource Center at  1-877-614-7328.  We look forward to helping you Shoot for the STARS!

Interested in learning more about Great Start to Quality?

Take advantage of monthly webinars hosted by Great Start to Quality!  The webinars will help keep you informed about Michigan's tiered quality rating and improvement system. The webinars are scheduled for the third Wednesday of each month from 1:00 - 2:00 and will include a variety of topics and updates.

The next webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, August 21st and the topic is 
"Quality Improvement Resources/Support". 

Included in the webinar will be:
  • a description of the resources available to support the quality improvement efforts of child care and preschool programs through Great Start to Quality.
  • Examples of services and supports provided across the State through Great Start to Quality Resource Centers.
  • A step-by-step tutorial on the Quality Improvement Plan that is available to providers who have submitted their Self Assessment Survey.
  • Time for participants to ask questions about quality improvement.

Use the following link to register for the webinar:

 

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/320318290 

 

If you are unable to participate but interested in the information, recorded webinars are available at http://www.greatstarttoquality.org/resources .


If you haven't already, please sign up for the Great Start to Quality listserv at http://greatstarttoquality.org/.  Click the "Sign Up" link at the bottom of the home page to get updates and answers to frequently asked questions.


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

Need help using the Great Start to Quality STARS system?
Please contact the Mosaic Network's support team.

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

Trainings to improve your PQA scores...

"How to Support Children in Resolving Conflicts" is coming to Saginaw County!!!
Training will be held on September 20th at Saginaw ISD Transition Center, 3860 Fashion Square Blvd., Saginaw. 
"Scaffolding Children's Learning at Small Group Time" is coming to Lapeer County!!!
Training will be held on August 17th at Lapeer ISD, 1996 W Oregon St., Lapeer.
 
These trainings are being offered by High Scope at a cost of only $25 for 6 hours of training.  Spots are filling fast so don't delay in enrolling at: www.greatstartCONNECT.org


 The PQA...
 
The PQA, Program Quality Assessment is the assessment tool identified by the Great Start to Quality program to be used when assessing a program/provider.  The standards listed in the PQA have identified high quality program practices for all children.  The PQA is available for:
 
Infant Toddler PQA
Preschool PQA
Family Child Care PQA

Pinterest Find of the Week...

 

 

Include children in "Shooting for the STARS"!   In your Art area, include some paper cut as a star, some different colored tissue paper and glue.  If children choose, they can use the materials to create their own art and decide where or how to display it around the room.

 

 
Looking for Training? 


Below is a list of trainings offered for each county.  Trainings are being added often so for more detailed information and to register, go to:



 

Arenac/Bay Counties:

 

Transforming Aggression:  Helping Those Who Hurt
Promoting Social Emotional Competence
 

Huron County:

Child Initiated Learning
Child Abuse & Neglect Reporter Training
Battling or Balancing with Co-Workers
Creative Curriculum Overview and Interest Areas Workshop
Using Teaching Strategies GOLD Lab Session
Creative Curriculum Intentional Teaching 

Lapeer County:

 

Scaffolding Children's Learning at Small Group Time
Thriving or Surviving?

Saginaw County:

  

Boys and Girls Learn Differently
AHEAD:  At Home & At Daycare:  Working with Children with Special Needs
Beyond Sandy Hook:  Talking Trauma and Children
Addressing Challenging Behavior with Positive Behavior Support
How to Support Children in Resolving Conflicts (High Scope)

Saint Clair County:

 

Creative Curriculum (2 day training with Teaching Strategies)
Adults as Partners in Children's Development
FLIP It; Don't FLIP Out (Day 1)
FLIP It; Don't FLIP Out (Day 2)
Praise vs. Encouragement

 

Sanilac County:
 
Child Abuse & Neglect Mandated Reporter Training
Battling or Balancing with Co-Workers
 
Tuscola County:

  

Creative Curriculum (2 day training)

Mail Correspondence and Online:

 

Using and Extending Lending Library Materials
Behavior Expectations & Classroom Rules
Behavior Expectations & Classroom Rules
Safe Sleep & Shaken Baby Syndrome
 
Have you visited your Lending Library lately?
 
The Eastern Resource Center's Lending Library is a FREE educational resource available to parents and early childhood professionals. We offer themed bins and CARES bags full of learning materials to enhance your classroom or childcare environment for children birth to age 5! Stop by your local Lending Library to check out something new today!  

  

Not sure where your local Lending Library is located?  

  • Click on "Great Start to Quality Resource Centers". 
  • Click "Eastern Resource Center" on the map to find the Lending Library near you!
 
Featured Lend
ing Library Experience Bin:
 
Friends and Feelings (IT)  
 
The above picture features all the items included in the infant toddler "Friends and Feelings" experience bin that can be checked out at your local lending library.  These items are FREE for you to borrow and use with the children in your care.  What a fun and exciting way to temporarily add new items to the classroom without breaking your budget! For a list of all the available items that can be borrowed, contact the Resource Center.
How to contact your Consultant:

  Dawn Kalkman
  (Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, St. Clair, Tuscola)
  Email:  [email protected]
  Cell:  989-280-1103

  Heather Rousseau 
  (Arenac, Bay, Saginaw)
  Email:  [email protected]
  Cell:  989-284-2250