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Practicing Gratitude: The "Wright" Choice

In this season of giving thanks, Carmen Wright of The Wright Choice Child Care, a family child care program in Claymont, Del., is practicing gratitude with her children, even during the most challenging times.

Carmen operated as an emergency child care site during the quarantine and continues to evolve to serve students' needs with remote learning. She recalls those early days of the state of emergency.

"It was stressful at the moment, but I was happy to support my essential parents and families, " said Carmen. "I went ahead and purchased a mask for each of my children for safety precautions. The children love their masks."

Carmen didn't let the challenges of all the new safety and health requirements stand in the way of teaching a fundamental lesson of gratitude: feeling grateful is directly linked to giving back.

QRIS Revision Transition Underway

The transition process for the new Delaware Stars has begun with Phase 1 for center-based programs. Phase 1 starts for family child care programs beginning in January 2021. 

Phase 1 focuses on testing the revised standards and key practices and developing training and technical assistance to support the revised system. Throughout the entire transition process, your feedback is critical. If you would like to get involved, please complete this form.

The QRIS Revision landing page on the Delaware Stars website is updated and includes the new standards, key practices, and pathways.
Capacity Grant News

Application rounds for the Capacity Grant, coordinated by Children & Families First (CFF), are temporarily suspended until sometime in early 2021. 

Contract management is transitioning from the Department of Health & Social Services to the Department of Education. During this transition, acceptance of grant applications and grant approvals will be on hold. 

The CFF website includes general information about the grant.

Future application rounds and details for 2021 will be announced here in REACH and posted on the CFF website. Questions can be directed to Andrea Prettyman or call her at (302) 233-6475.
New Professional Development Opportunities

We are excited to announce two new workshops and three existing workshops now available online.  

The two new workshops are "Engaging Families Virtually" and "Express Yourself- Exploring How Creative Expression Enhances Learning." The three now available virtually are:

  • What's New: Implementing Teaching Strategies Gold
  • Implementing Teaching Strategies Gold
  • Everyday Math Plus

"Engaging Families Virtually" was developed in response to the challenging circumstances of engaging families when we cannot see them in-person. The workshop offers creative ways to stay connected with families virtually, including connecting through cooking. Participants will also learn practical ways to strengthen family relationships between children and their "first teachers." This live two-hour workshop is presented over Zoom.

"Express Yourself - Exploring How Creative Expression Enhances Learning" is a two-hour self-paced training that explores the benefits of creativity, including how creative expression enhances children's learning in all areas of the curriculum. The workshop also focuses on how music, movement, and dramatic play help develop children's leadership skills.

Dates are:

  • Engaging Families Virtually- 11/17, 12/16
  • Express Yourself- 12/21
  • What’s New- Implementing TS Gold- 11/30 and 12/21
  • Implementing TS Gold- 12/1, 12/8, 12/10, 12/15
  • Everyday Math PLUS - January - Scheduling Dates
The Importance of Flu Shots

With the fall surge of COVID-19, it's more important than ever to protect yourself and your loved ones against the spread of the flu.

Now is the time to encourage staff, parents, and children to get the flu vaccine before the flu season begins. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone six months of age and older should get the flu vaccine every year.

There are several options to get the flu vaccine. Encourage families to get the flu shot for their child during their well-child visits. Local pharmacies provide flu shots for children three years and older. The Delaware Division of Public Health provides clinics for flu shots. This information is included here.

Head Start's launched a campaign to help spread the word on the flu and other vaccines' importance. This video is especially helpful.
Thank you for continuing to step up to serve the needs of Delaware's children and their families during the pandemic. With children now in school, many of you have taken on the demands of overseeing remote learning, which requires additional resources to be effective.

The State of Delaware and the University of Delaware are partnering to provide Early Childhood Education (ECE) School-Age Remote Learning Grants for licensed child care programs serving school-age children engaged in remote or hybrid learning.

Grants are between $500 and $7,500 and are for additional expenditures necessary for serving school-age children engaged in remote learning due to COVID-19. The grants are for expenditures incurred between August 4, 2020 and December 30, 2020.

The priority of awarding funds will focus on four categories: staffing, technology, furniture, and school supplies. Additional categories (services, classroom materials, Internet services, and health and safety supplies) may be eligible with clear justification and documentation. 

We will accept applications through November 13. It is important to act quickly to receive this reimbursement. There is a fixed amount of money to distribute. 
 
For more information, please visit the grant webpage on the Delaware Stars website to access the application and for helpful resources to assist you with completing the requirements.  
 
Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood
Delaware Stars for Early Success, website: www.delawarestars.udel.edu
DIEEC Professional Development, website: www.dieecpd.org
Main: (302) 831-3239 | Fax: (302) 831-4223