August 11, 2021
At this time, we have started to see an uptick in Covid cases throughout our 7 counties.

This is a reminder that if you close your Facility for any reason you are required to notify the Coalition via the Redline (redline@elcnwf.org).

The following information needs to be included in the Redline notification:
  1. The date you closed (Please include the time closed if you were open for a portion of the day)
  2. The potential date you plan to reopen. If you cannot open on your intended reopen date, a notification should be sent to the Redline that you are unable to open.

Once you do reopen, you need to notify us via the Redline that you are back open.

Finally, you must enter the Temporary Closure information in the Provider Portal/EFS Mod as your request for payment. You will need to upload a document on letterhead outlining the day/dates you were closed and the reopen date information.

If you have any questions or confusion about this process, please reach out to one of our Contract Specialists and they will be happy to assist you.
Paycheck Protection Program: Direct Forgiveness Resources

For those Providers who may have received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan and are interested in Loan Forgiveness. The PPP Direct Forgiveness Portal user guide for PPP borrowers (shows how to sign up and submit your forgiveness request), and Interim Final Rule (IFR) on Direct Forgiveness are now available on the PPP website under PPP Lender Information. The Knowledgebase is also on the U.S. Small Business Administration website under PPP Forgiveness along with the list of lenders that Opted-in.

Here are resources that support the PPP Direct Forgiveness announcement:
The Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida is excited to partner with Child Care Biz Help® to bring a unique training opportunity to the child care providers in the Northwest region, and you are invited to join! This training will focus on the financial business side of operations specifically for child care centers and family child care homes.
 
Available Training Dates (chose 1 session)
 
Child Care Centers
August 20th or September 24th
ELCNWF Panama City Office
 
Family Child Care Homes
August 21st or September 25th
ELCNWF Panama City Office
 
Please complete the early registration and pre-training survey below.
You will receive a digital copy of Caroline's book, Child Care Success Formula when you register!
Local organizations seeing a shortage of early childhood education teachers

On Wednesday, August 4th, Suzan Gage was interviewed by Morning News Reporter Sam Martello from WJHG. Suzan completed a series of 3 live interviews during the morning news hour to talk about the importance of child care and the need for ECE teachers in our area.
My First Day of VPK Signs
It's almost time for the first day of VPK! Don't forget to print out these "My First Day of VPK" signs to take pictures of your students.
Family Portal - How to Complete the School Readiness Enrollment Process

At the last Provider Network meeting, we were asked to share the YouTube video on how to assist families with completing the school readiness enrollment process. This video contains information on:

  • Accepting terms and conditions
  • Establishing consent settings for developmental screening
  • Signing payment certificate

See below for the video on how to complete the SR enrollment process. You can also share this video with any parents here.
10 Tips for Teaching Young Dual Language Learners Effectively
 
As schools and programs begin to return after the summer break, how can early educators make sure they’re creating a space that welcomes and supports the learning and development of young dual language learners (DLLs)? Click below for 10 tips on how you can prepare your classroom and curriculum to support young DLLs and help them succeed.
How to Deliver Bad News to Parents: An Educator’s Guide
Early Childhood Education can’t be sunshine and rainbows ALL of the time. Every so often you get a little storm cloud that pops up. The tricky part is when it looms over you as you mull over how to break this news to parents. Bad news stinks, but passing along the bad news to parents doesn’t have to. Open communication is the vital key to a sound parent-teacher relationship and always bridges the gap between home and school. Below you will find some ways that will ease this process for you in the future!
Building Better Beginnings Quality Initiative (BBB)
Fostering Quality Infant & Toddler Care; One Teacher at a Time!
The Coalition is sponsoring an Infant and Toddler Quality Initiative with an emphasis on the teacher, Director, and continuity of care within the classroom. The framework for this initiative is the implementation of the FSU 10 Components Quality Care for Infant and Toddlers. Commitment levels for selected teachers and Directors are high, but so are the benefits. Programs will be selected to participate, based on eligibility criteria.
HiMama Helps – Childcare Webinar Series

Now, more than ever, the early childhood community has to come together to figure out life during a global pandemic. The HiMama Helps Webinar series was created as a platform for ECEs and child care experts to share stories and practical tips with each other.
Join your hosts, Ria Simon and Kiah Price every Thursday at 2 PM, to explore different topics, offer practical strategies, and have your questions answered. Click below for the library of past webinar recordings.
Conference-Quality Professional Development by Early Childhood Experts

Early Childhood Investigations offers free webinars to early childhood educators. The series is produced by Engagement Strategies, LLC., and presented by leading authors, experts, and leaders. Now, you can participate in conference-quality training without leaving your home, classroom, or office.
We are looking for parents to join the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)

Download a copy of the flyer by clicking the button below. Please make sure all parents in your center receive a copy of this flyer. You can print to send home with each of your children, or you can simply post the flyer on your social media page.
Our partner, Florida Prepaid College Savings Plans, wants to help families prepare for future college costs by encouraging them to set up a Florida 529 Savings Plan.

If they set up a new Savings Plan account by August 15, they will receive a $50 account contribution from Florida Prepaid to get them started!

Click below for a flyer you can print for your families or add into your parent newsletters.
Florida KidCare

In a time when the health and safety of our community are most important, help keep the children in your center insured.
Encourage families in your centers to contact ELCNWF for information and assistance applying for Florida KidCare. Call 850-747-5400 X 108 or request CCR&R via the link below!
Big Heart World is an initiative produced by Sparkler in collaboration with Noggin that enables parents and educators to help children explore what it means to have a “big heart” and how to grow one. This means:

  • Learning About Me — Awareness of self: identity & belonging, feelings and self-regulation
  • Learning About You — Awareness of others: empathy, appreciation of diversity
  • Learning About Us — Relationships with others: interpersonal strategies

Have your kids listen, sing, and dance along to "A Friend Like You", the next song from Noggin’s Big Heart Beats album. And be sure to follow their site as they will release a new video every month.
August Special Dates

Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month
Family Fun Month
Get ready for Kindergarten Month
Back to School Month
Immunization Awareness Month
National Wellness Month

August 11
Son’s and Daughter’s Day


August 12
International Youth Day

August 13
Left-Handers Day

August 14
National Bowling Day



August 16
Tell a Joke Day

August 17
National Nonprofit Day

August 21
Senior Citizens Day

August 22
Tooth Fairy Day

August 26
Women’s Equality Day

August 30
National Beach Day
We exist to grow healthy children, parents, and the relationship between them.
Sponsored by the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida and the State of Florida, Division of Early Learning