Child Care Aware of New Hampshire is hoping to help you earn your credential! We are offering to cover the cost of the first 222 Credentials awarded this year to individuals applying to our Credential Challenge.

Whether you are an individual or a team looking to become credentialed we have an opportunity for you. Did we mention there are prizes too?

We are officially accepting applications and the Challenge runs until March 15, 2022.

Dear Early Childhood Professionals,

It is difficult to believe that two long years have passed since we were able to gather for the Bureau’s Annual Celebration of Early Childhood Professionals in honor of your dedication to the Early Childhood field. This year, we very much anticipated seeing you in person, with the expectation that the pandemic would abate and we could resume our pre-COVID activities. Unfortunately, this was not the case. At this time, the pandemic remains unpredictable and once again, prevents us from convening this large, in-person event.

We are pleased to announce, however, that the 2021-2022 Early Childhood Credential Challenge is going forward as planned. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to participate and submit your application by March 15, 2022.

As you would expect, the cancelation of the Celebration means there is now no requirement to attend in order to participate in the Challenge. Lastly, the Bureau is considering hosting a virtual Celebration in the fall of 2022. We would greatly appreciate your input on this possibility. Please click on the following link to complete a very brief (less than 5 minutes) survey. BCDHSC Virtual Celebration Opinion Survey Based on your responses, we will determine if there is sufficient interest for us to explore this option. Thank you for your hard work on behalf of children and families and for your perseverance during these challenging times.

Warmest Regards,

Debra Nelson, Bureau Chief

How are you "branding" your Early Childhood Program? What does your "brand culture" say about your program?

Check out this Podcast with Beth Cannon, our speaker at next month's Spring Leadership Summit scheduled for Thursday, March 17th. Beth gives 5 tips on how to ensure your employees align and adhere to your goals and brand as a company.

Trainings are available to register for in the NHCIS Training Tile. You will find the accurate training times in the Trainings At-a-Glance Calendar, as times are currently listed incorrectly within NHCIS. Please see instructions on page two (2) in this Calendar on how to register for these trainings.

If attending any of our Conferences or Special Events is cost-prohibitive and you are a member of the NH Early Childhood Community, you qualify for this scholarship. This scholarship will cover the full fee to attend any of our 2021-2022 Conferences or Special Events. The “NH Cares Scholarship” is non-refundable and non-transferrable.

To receive the NH Cares Scholarship please send the information below to the ccrrtraining@snhs.org with the subject line "NH Cares Scholarship"

Educators need nine sets of competencies to do their best work. We will describe these sets of competencies, as well as the workplace conditions that support them. Participants will have opportunities to self-reflect on their own super-powers as infant/toddler educators and set goals For their own professional development.

Date: Saturday, February 19, 2022,

Time: 8:30 AM-1:30 PM

If you have Training Bucks earned by participating with your program in a CCAoNH Progressive Training Program or Cohort, you may use them to attend any of our 2021-2022 Conferences or Special Events.

Contact the Professional Development Support Coordinator (PDSC) at 603.903.0830 or email at ccrrtraining@snhs.org to use your earned Training Bucks today!

This month, participants will partake in an "Outdoor Curriculum and Scheduling" Learn & Share session. During this meeting, participants are asked to bring a resource to share with other participants to take back to their programs. Examples may include; examples of outdoor activities or lessons and examples of how you get outside with your class and experience nature!

CCAoNH is also offering nine (9) other virtual Early Childhood Focused Collaborative Meetings for Directors, Administrators, Teachers and other Early Childhood Professionals. Check out the other topics by clicking on the button below.

We've had a few instances this winter where freezing rain took the Department of Transportation (DOT) by surprise and created serious driving hazards. Freezing rain is the state between rain and sleet, and we can’t always immediately tell the difference or predict when rain will start freezing.

Did you know that you can help by reporting weather conditions to the National Weather Services? This link will allow you report all types of weather conditions including freezing rain. Please share this knowledge with families as well. By working together, we can help the state have a better reaction time to weather related issues.

The NH DHHS Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration is pleased to introduce you to our new Quality Recognition and Improvement System, Granite Steps for Quality (GSQ).

This program supports NH’s early childhood and Out-of-School Time programs on their path to enhanced quality so that children thrive and succeed in school and beyond. The GSQ replaces the Licensed Plus Program and focuses on helping programs enhance their quality through self-study, professional development, coaching and other technical assistance.

Now found on the front page of our website, is the link to the Child Care Job Board. Feel free to post your open positions and let perspective educators know about what makes your program unique. Posting is FREE and your position will stay up for six (6) months or until you take it down!

The grant is applicable to one course per term. This grant is available to teachers working a minimum of 20 hours per week in a NH licensed center, and directors working a minimum of 30 hours per week in a NH licensed center.

Applications will be reviewed as received. Applications fill fast so apply early. Money is awarded at 100% tuition for PSY 508, EDU 602, EDU 544. Grants covering 50% tuition are available for subsequent ECE courses. Students are responsible for all materials needed for the course and an $85 registration fee.