Early Learning Coalition
of St. Lucie County
Your Champions of Early Education
June 2021 Provider News:
Resources for your Childcare Center!
REMINDER: Weekly Provider Update Calls
every Wednesday at 12:30 pm
through Zoom
Don't forget our weekly provider call every Wednesday at 12:30. These calls are voluntary: just our way to stay connected, answer questions and give any updates. We hope you can join us; the instructions to join remotely is sent to you in a Zoom meeting invitation every week and you can participate on your phone or your computer. Our past provider meetings are listing in archive on our website, in the provider's section.


Remember, we will update you regularly on any information you need to know that is coming from OEL or the state DOE, so watch your emails for updates!
JUNE IS WATER SAFETY MONTH!
Drowning does not discriminate. Regardless of age, race, gender, socioeconomic background or swimming capability, a drowning incident can occur at any time.

The Florida Department of Health states “drowning is everyone’s responsibility.” Within seconds, water can be dangerous and deadly. It only takes up to two inches of water for a person to drown. In the case of a water related incident, it’s important to know what to do.

Visit http://ow.ly/2EB650F7Ahe for more details and STAY SAFE this Summer!




HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
June 20,2021
Looking for something to do with DAD on
Father's Day?

12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
$3.25 p/person

11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Swim: Ages 2-54: $2.75 | Seniors 55+: $1.50 | Under 2: FREE

11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
All adults and children ages 2 and up: $1.50 | Under 2: FREE
National Eat Your Vegetables Day - June 17, 2021
How to Celebrate?
This is an easy day to celebrate. Eat up your veggies today and make a resolution to add more greens and vegetables to your diet in the future. Here are some more ways you can celebrate Eat Your Vegetables Day:
  • Visit your local farmer’s market and get some locally grown produce.
  • Prepare all your favorite veggies for all your meals.
  • Make your desserts using veggies.
  • Have at least five vegetables today.
Did You Know…
…that onions are the world's most widely used vegetable?
Important Information about Parent CoPayments!

For SR providers, from May 1, 2021 -- June 30, 2021, you will be reimbursed for the required parent copayments for all reimbursable days. Do not collect copayment from SR families for this time period.

For VPK School Year providers, from January 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021, you will be reimbursed for temporary closures due to COVID-19 that are more than the allowable 5- days per class. This payment will be processed after all closures for a quarter have been verified.

For VPK Summer providers, from May 1, 2021– June 30, 2021, you will be reimbursed for temporary closures due to COVID-19 that are more than the allowable 5-days per class. This payment will be generated after your summer classes have ended and all closures for the summer classes have been verified.

On April 9, 2021, Commissioner Richard Corcoran signed Executive Order 2021-EO-02 which authorizes the 2021 Summer VPK programs to constitute a minimum of 200 hours. Reimbursement will be based per the 80/20 rule for student attendance and the total number of program hours offered (minimum of 200 up to 300 hours).

Thank you for your continued commitment to serve Florida’s children and their families.
ONE GOAL CONFERENCE IN JULY
The One Goal: Building The Future Together "Putting Families And Children First" Conference brings together early education and care providers and leaders from around the state. It is designed to share information on best practices in the field and to build common frameworks of knowledge and understanding to assist in unified planning for young children and their families.

Participants have formal and informal opportunities for learning and sharing and can get continuing education units (CEU). Benefits to attendees and their programs include increased knowledge of local, regional and state issues, opportunities to learn about or share information on exemplary early education and care programs for children and their families, and cost-effective networking with key leaders in the field. Click the link in the graphic below for more information!
Vaccine Update: Find info you need here!
Here's the update on vaccinations for COVID-19 and links to where you can get yours.

Also, use these resources, as well:
The COVID Call Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be reach at 1-866- 779-6121 or by emailing COVID-19@flhealth.gov. The vaccine page can be found below 
Khan Academy Kids
In July, Khan Academy will host "Camp Khan Kids", a fun, free 4-week virtual summer camp for children ages 2-8. The camp guides parents and children in a playful educational journey using Khan Academy Kids materials.

Each week in July, teachers and parents who are signed up for the Khan Academy Kids app will receive an email announcing the week's themes and a self-paced schedule of suggested activities for reading, learning, and playing. Weekly themes include Dinosaurs, Animals, Science, and more!
Now, Post a Teacher Ad with DCF!
children-reading.jpg
The Department of Children and Families’ Child Care Program Office now offers a tool for Child Care Facilities to advertise available positions. How To Post An Ad: Use the following steps to post your ad:
  1. Enter your exact Child Care License Number
  2. You are taken to the employment database
  3. Choose "Make Director Ad" or "Make Staff Credential Ad"
  4. Create the position summary
  5. List position requirements
  6. Specify dates to run
  7. Input provider contact information
OEL Resources for Providers
The Director Toolkit
This resource was developed to assist early childhood program directors, mentors, coaches and instructors in planning professional development goals for continuous program and instructional improvement.
Learning Circles Social Studies Calendar for June 2021
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June OEL Parent Pages to Share
Overwhelmed by Change? Turn to 3Ts
3Ts Development for Providers helps children succeed at early age
Remember: even when things are uncertain, YOU are helping to build the brains of the children you care for and are preparing them for success just by talking and interacting with them. Your class day is full of opportunities to use the 3Ts and help your children understand changes going on in the world. Learn more at the3Ts.org. Also available in Spanish at las3Cs.org.  AnyTimeIs3TsTime #3TsFlorida #PNCGrowUpGreat
Here is a free professional development series for you and your staff – which is a perfect in-service training opportunity! This resource shares easy-to-remember strategies and features videos of caregivers using the 3Ts in everyday situations.
**ATTENDANCE REMINDERS**
 
  • REMEMBER all VPK certificates and sign in/out sheets must be either faxed or emailed by the due date. We cannot work on your submitted attendance till I have the sheets. Failure to do so can result in non-payment for the child(ren).
 
  • Sign in/out sheets must include your provider name and the name of the child that is printed on the VPK certificate. Please do not use nicknames or any other names. Only the name the name the parent entered on the certificate.
 
  • All expired documents (licensures, credentials, background screenings, etc.) must be up to date and approved in the Portal. If not, payment cannot be processed past the expiration date.
 
  • Remember all your new enrollments must be submitted and approved in order for you to submit attendance for that child(ren).
 
  • If you have any enrollments that were not paid due to being submitted after reimbursements were closed or not providing the sign in/out sheets, please submit those at this time also. Per contract you only have 60 calendar days to report any discrepancies.
 
  • If you were closed due to COVID-19 all changes to your VPK calendar need to be submitted and approved prior to submitting your attendance. You should of received instructions from me pertaining to VPK. 

  • Review your Registration Fee queue in the portal under Manage SR Enrollments and submit eligible children for payment.

  • Paid absences will be up to 10 days only, this is, 3 unexcused days and 7 more with a doctor’s note. Documentation is now required for absences beyond 3 days. Please see the document below for guidance on how to record your SR absences.

  • If you see any discrepancies on your holidays or closure dates, let us know before submitting attendance. This requires a change in your profile and approval, to be reflected correctly on the attendance roster.