March 23, 2022

Thursday, March 24th
9:00 AM

Northwest Florida Health Network
910 Harrison Ave.
Panama City, FL 32401

It's not too late to RSVP!
Provider Paid Holiday Survey

The ELCNWF is gathering information about the use of paid holidays. Please click the link below to complete a short survey for the 2022-2023 School Readiness Provider Contract paid holidays. The survey will ask you to rank the current eight (8) approved holidays in order of preference. Your responses will be shared with the Board.  

NOTE: The survey will be open until close of business on Friday, March 25th. 
 
The board-approved holidays for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 include:
  • New Year’s Day (January 1)
  • Dr. MLK Jr. Day (3rd Monday in January)
  • Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
  • Independence Day (July 4)
  • Labor Day (1st Monday in September)
  • Veteran’s Day (November 11)
  • Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November)
  • Christmas Day (December 25)
Dear Providers,

As most of you know, the opportunity to receive stabilization funds has arrived. The Coalition held Zoom meetings with providers to give vital information about the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Stabilization Grant and we will continue to hold meetings to assist you with the application process. Below we have provided a list of tips and tools for your utilization.


  1. To apply, you must have a 2021-2022 ACTIVE Provider Profile in EFS Mod.
  2. Before you start filling out the application, review the “How to Guide”. This will assist you with determining the information to gather before you attempt to complete the application.
  3. We know how busy things can get. If you start the application and need to save it but not submit, click “Save for Later”.
  4. Clicking “Cancel” will ERASE all of the information that has NOT been previously saved. See tip 3 to save your work.
  5. If the authorized Electronic Signature and Submit button is MISSING, then the application is not complete. Please review to determine what fields have been left blank or boxes unchecked.
  6. Counties in the 32456 and 32465 area codes do qualify for the Infrastructure Deficit portion of the stabilization grant.
  7. We are not able to edit the application for you. If the application is incorrect, we will have to reject it so that you can correct the application and resubmit.
  8. Once the total for the grant award has been determined, the total will be paid in three (3) installments. The first installment will be made within 30 days of approved application. The next two installments will be made at 90- and 180-day intervals after the first installment is paid, once you have submitted the required certification.
  9. Keeping track of expenses is very important. If selected for monitoring, copies of all receipts and documentation on how subgrant funds were spent will be required. Failure to submit receipts and documentation showing the subgrant was used on allowable expenses may trigger a repayment of all or part of the subgrant award to the Division of Early Learning or its designee. Expenses reimbursed by other funding sources, such as PPP or Small Business Association (SBA) loans may not be claimed for stabilization subgrants.
  10. If you need assistance prior to the first Q&A session, please contact Jenna Drew (jenna.drew@elcnwf.org) or Michelle Shadoan (michelle.shadoan@elcnwf.org).
Thank you to all who attended the informational webinars last week.

REMINDER: The NWI program's initial application is due on Friday, March 25th.
NWI Teacher Packet

Please see the below documents for the NWI Teacher Packet. This packet includes a Teacher Registration Form and a blank W9 form.
  1. Please make sure EACH Teacher in your program completes the packet and includes a voided check or bank form.
  2. The completed packet will then need to be uploaded by the program director/owner on the teacher’s behalf into the shared coalition document exchange. There have been folders already created for you labeled "NWI". Please place all documents inside there.
NWI Program Timeline
You can download a copy of the NWI informational webinar HERE
How to Help Children Cope with Disasters

Many parents, teachers, grandparents and caregivers are concerned about how dramatic images of
disasters can affect the emotional well-being of their children and are looking for advice. Save the
Children has prepared the following 10 tips to support children through any disaster. These tips are
based on Save the Children's years of national and international experience in supporting children
in disasters.

Save these as classroom resources, and also print out and provide them to families in your center.
New VPK Director Credential Requirements for Private Providers.

All private VPK Providers must have a director with a current VPK Director Credential to be eligible for contracting in the 2022-2023 program year. The attached memo and flyer provide information regarding this requirement and identifies the five training courses that a director must have completed in order to obtain or maintain a VPK Director Credential.

If you have any additional questions regarding the VPK Director Credential requirements for private providers please email VPKQuestions@oel.myflorida.com.
IMPORTANT: Increased Emergent Literacy Training Requirements for VPK Instructors

Florida law now requires every prekindergarten classroom to have at least one prekindergarten instructor who has completed three five-hour emergent literacy training courses. Prior to the passage of House Bill (HB) 419 and HB 7011 in 2021, only one emergent literacy training course was required. Thus, continuing prekindergarten instructors, who have already completed one five-hour emergent literacy training course, must complete two additional courses. Any new prekindergarten instructors must take all three classes.

This legislative change became effective on July 1, 2021. Through this memorandum, the Department of Education, Division of Early Learning (DEL), is giving notice of this new requirement, and is identifying ten emergent literacy training courses that meet this requirement. Given the importance of this training, DEL is setting a deadline of July 1, 2022, for all prekindergarten providers to meet this requirement.
After completing the first three emergent literacy courses, Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) instructors must complete one emergent literacy course every five years.

Instructors will receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs) upon completion of each course, and the completed courses will be added on the instructor’s training transcript.

VPK instructors are encouraged to begin taking the emergent literacy courses in order to complete the three five-hour emergent literacy course requirement by July 1, 2022.  
Activity Plans based on the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards 4-Years-Old to Kindergarten

The Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards 4-Years-Old to Kindergarten is a comprehensive document containing age-appropriate information and reflections about how young children explore, create and think. Lesson plans are available to help develop the skills that 4-year-old children should know and be able to do by the end of their prekindergarten year. There are targeted standards for 4-year-old children included in each lesson plan.
 
To find these lesson plans, click the button below: 
Spring 2022 Registration Flamingo Early Learning Courses 
Spring B 2022 Term: 3/28 – 5/31
  • Direct Enrollment: 3/2 – 3/20
  • Late enrollment requests: 3/21 – 4/1, pending course availability 
  • Hosting courses or need statewide seats with blended model supports (i.e., CoP or Coaching): rosters and course selections/modalities are due by 2/25
Flamingo Early Learning VPK Emergent Literacy Training Courses.
Shared Resources Florida

In case you missed this exciting information in the Director’s World Tour Packet, Shared Resources Florida is a service provided to ELCNWF’s providers by the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County. This is a FREE and easy-to-use web platform full of practical tools and resources for early care programs. It contains all the tools your child care business needs to be MORE efficient, MORE effective, and MORE successful. Think of it as a one-stop-shop to save time and MONEY! Click below for more information and instructions on how to request your login. Please note that ELCOC has requested that if you have more than one center that you request only one login.

Be sure to check back in the weekly Provider Newsletters for tips on how to get the most out of Shared Resources Florida!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Tami Valdez, your Provider Development Specialist, at 850.704.0703 or tami.valdez@elcnwf.org.
25 Easy Ideas for Nature Play for Early Childhood Centers
Whether children are digging for worms, climbing a tree, listening to wind chimes, or counting the number of bugs on a log, their imaginations and curiosity are fully engaged outdoors in ways that are very different from in the classroom. Teaching teams, parents, and families will find that an outdoor play space is more than a place to play. When you learn and teach with Mother Nature at your side, you open the door to endless possibilities for children and for yourself.
Great nature play doesn't require elaborate and expensive play spaces! Even a limited outdoor area can be affordably enhanced for nature play, using common materials and plants to create a young child's heaven that is chock-full of small-scale wonders and magical discoveries. Try the suggestions in this brochure, and then add your own ideas over time!
Florida Prepaid Information for Families
Florida Prepaid is encouraging families to start saving for college by joining them in the journey. When parents enroll in a Florida 529 Prepaid Plan now through April 30, 2022, they'll earn $125 for each year of college or university purchased - up to $500 total.
 
Prepaid Plans are the risk-free, stress-free way to save for college – allowing them to lock in future tuition costs for less.
 
  • Covers tuition and most fees; optional dormitory plan available
  • Choose the plan to fit your budget; Florida Prepaid manages the rest
  • Risk-free plans are guaranteed by the State of Florida
  • Set payment schedule (monthly, 5-year, lump sum)
Please print and distribute to your families
Phonological Awareness Development for Preschoolers Training

Monday, March 28, 2022 | 2:00 - 5:00 PM (CST)

Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida will be offering an in-person Phonological Awareness Development for Preschoolers training. The training will take place at 910 Harrison Ave., Panama City FL 32401. This training will help VPK teachers and directors meet the required emergent literacy training hours.

To register for the training you will need to go to the DCF training website and enter this course number #9842. As a reminder, all of the trainings listed on the DCF training website are listed in eastern time.
Quarterly Frog Street Training is available now
 
These recurring trainings will be for new staff coming on board or current staff needing a refresher.

  • Frog Street roll-out training is available for providers needing beginners training for their current staff.  
  • This can be completed virtually or on-site at your center.  
  • 80% of providers, currently using Frog Street Curriculum, has received this roll-out training for staff, but if you feel you need additional training, please email the redline.
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.
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!
Teach your way during the 2021-22 school year with this timely new collection from PBS Kids, of flexible resources aligned to monthly themes and skills for PreK-2 students. Use the monthly Teach Your Way calendar and teacher planner to integrate media in creative and developmentally appropriate ways, all year long!
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 "Helping Others", from Noggin’s Big Heart Beats album. And be sure to follow their site as they will release a new video every month.
March Special Dates
 
Irish-American Heritage Month
Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month
National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
National Craft Month
National Nutrition Month
National Women’s History Month
National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week (March 20-26)
March 27
National Scribble Day
 
March 30
National Doctors Day
National Pencil Day
 
March 31
National Crayon Day 
We exist to help 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