The Coalition is excited to announce the application period for our Right from the Start/Infant Toddler Initiative. We are working hard to raise the bar for quality early learning in Pinellas County, and this program will help us get there!
Eligible centers:
Serve a minimum of 30% School Readiness children
Have no Class I fines in the past 24 months
Make a commitment to support the educational and on-the-job growth of their infant/toddler staff
Have a minimum of 50% of their infant/toddler staff who are willing to participate in the program
There are two programs to choose from:
1. Professional Development Initiative
Who:
Centers serving infants and/or toddlers who wish to increase the educational level of their infant and toddler teachers and positively affect child outcomes.
What:
Infant/Toddler teachers at selected sites will receive educational scholarships, technical assistance, and coaching designed to improve the effectiveness of their care.
The Coalition will provide scholarships for one of the following Professional Development Paths:
Infant Toddler National CDA prep course (120hrs.) at the Early Learning Coalition
Infant Toddler Certificate Coursework at St. Petersburg College
Participants will receive ongoing technical assistance/coaching and other supports designed to enhance their teaching practice.
When:
Applications will be accepted from June 20th to June 29th, 2016.
Why:
The first three years of a child's life are the most critical. Strong, positive early attachments and responsive caregiving are vital to the social/emotional and academic success of all children. This is even more critical for the at-risk children served by the Early Learning Coalition. A high-quality, educated workforce is needed to meet the needs of this special population.
Centers currently licensed for infant care who wish to increase their capacity and have physical space available to do so.
What:
The Coalition will support the opening of 5 high quality infant rooms in existing centers. This support would include educational scholarships, technical assistance, coaching designed to improve the effectiveness of their care and stipends for classroom materials.
The Coalition will provide scholarships for one of the following Professional Development Paths:
The Early Learning Coalition- Infant Toddler National CDA prep course (120hrs.)
The Early Learning Coalition- Infant Toddler National CDA prep course (120hrs.)
Participants will receive ongoing technical assistance/coaching and other supports designed to enhance their teaching practice.
Classrooms will receive a stipend for developmentally appropriate materials
Why:
The first three years of a child's life are the most critical. Strong, positive early attachments and responsive caregiving are vital to the social/emotional and academic success of all children. This is even more critical for the at-risk children served by the Early Learning Coalition. A high-quality, educated workforce is needed to meet the needs of this special population.
