November 2024

November is a time of gratitude, and we want to take a moment to thank you for the incredible dedication you show to the children in your care. Your nurturing support helps them flourish as they continue their journey of learning and growth.


Child Care Aware of NH (CCAoNH) is here to provide you with resources, tips, and inspiration to help you thrive in your vital role as we move through the year together.


We hope you enjoy this months edition of the Monthly Minutes!


~ Child Care Aware of NH

Child Care Aware of NH will be closed the following days during the month of November:


  • Tuesday, November 5th
  • Monday, November 11th
  • Thursday, November 28th
  • Friday, November 29th


During these closures phone calls will be going to our messaging system. Please be sure to visit NH Connections for child care referrals, consumer education and training information.

Enjoy This Wellness Moment: Improve Your Sleep Health & Hygiene

Without enough sleep, we all become tall two-year-olds.” – JoJo Jensen


Good sleep is essential for your overall well-being. Did you know that nearly 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. don’t get enough sleep? Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to a 48% higher risk of heart disease and affects mental health, memory, and immune function. Here are some tips to improve your sleep quality:



  • Stick to a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends.
  • Create a restful environment: keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool.
  • Avoid large meals, caffeine, and screens before bed.
  • Engage in relaxing activities like reading or meditation to wind down.
  • Regular physical activity during the day also contributes to better sleep.


With Daylight Savings Time ending on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 2:00 A.M. and clocks turning back one hour, this is the perfect opportunity to evaluate your sleep quality. Take advantage of that extra hour by watching this insightful short video by sleep scientist Matt Walker, where he discusses Daylight Savings Time and the powerful benefits of improving your sleep.

How Daylight Saving Time Affects our Bodies, Minds -- and World

CCAoNH Update

November is Family Engagement Month!

November is Family Engagement Month! Here at Child Care Aware of NH, we are partnering with Vroom all month long to bring you resources to share with your families.


If you are interested in learning more about Family Engagement, its importance, or some ideas to bring back to your program, visit the Family Engagement Page on NH Connections. Be sure to follow us on Facebook for all the great Family Engagement content we will be sharing (and contests for your chance to win prizes, too!)

CCAoNH Facebook Page
Family Engagement Month

Your Program's Partner in Success: Technical Assistance with CCAoNH

Our Technical Assistance (TA) team is here to provide ongoing, personalized support for your program. Each program will be paired with a TA specialist who covers your region, ensuring you have a direct point of contact for visits, questions, and resources.


If your program faces licensing challenges, our TA specialists will proactively reach out to help you address and correct any violations. We’re here to guide you every step of the way, offering solutions to keep your program on track.


If you're interested in working with our TA team or have any questions, feel free to reach out via email at ccrrta@snhs.org or call our TA line at 603-578-1386 ext. 2526 or 2532!

View Our Services & Supports Guide for More Information
Visit Our Website for More Details

CCAoNH Professional Development Opportunities

View November Professional Development Opportunities Here

Join our Early Childhood Virtual Learning Communities (VLC), previously called Collaboratives! These monthly sessions, running from September to June, are perfect for Directors, Administrators, Teachers, and other Early Childhood Professionals.


Our VLCs cover the topics that matter most to you and also count towards your yearly training hours. Plus, we’re all about building a strong, supportive community through partnerships with local and state organizations—offering great resources and support along the way!

View November Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Topics Here
Register on NHCIS

During the Social and Emotional Topics VLC in October, we were joined by Stefanie Paige Wieder, M.S.Ed, early childhood education content creator, Life, Parenting, & ADHD Coach, and who presented on the topic of making holidays inclusive for all families. In this session, they discussed how approaching holidays thoughtfully helps children embrace their identities and love themselves -- and others! 

View the Recording of Social Emotional VLC: Making Holidays Inclusive for all Families with Stefanie Paige Wieder

Register Now for Beyond Limits: Celebration Children's Diverse Abilities

Join us for this insightful 4-part training series where we will explore the essential elements of inclusive education. We'll focus on Universal Design for Learning (UDL), resources and support for educators, and fostering strong partnerships with families.


These sessions are designed to empower early childhood educators with the knowledge and tools to create supportive learning environments that celebrate and accommodate diverse abilities and unique health needs.


Enhance your skills in supporting diverse learners and building meaningful connections with families, ultimately fostering an inclusive and thriving educational environment.

View the Flyer
Register on Eventbrite

SOLD OUT! Infant and Toddler Institute & Leadership Summit for Early Childhood & Out of School Time Leaders

Exciting news! We’ve officially sold out spots for our training opportunities in Concord and Plymouth, NH! Both the Infant and Toddler Institute with Scott Noyes and the Fall Leadership Summit are fully booked. We can’t wait to engage with childcare providers from across the state for these dynamic professional development and networking events.


But don't worry—our Winter Spotlight on Professional Development will be released soon, offering even more specialized training and events designed just for you!


And remember, you don’t have to wait for us to come to your area—Child Care Aware of NH can bring the training to your program! We offer a variety of training and technical assistance options, including mini-conferences where our trainers come to your site, along with plenty of coaching and mentoring opportunities for in-person support.


Contact our Training and Technical Assistance team today to support your program!

603-578-1386 ext. 2526 or 2532, or email ccrrtraining@snhs.org

ERS Trainings Available on ProSolutions!

Great news for providers and programs! There are newly added trainings on the Environment Ratings Scales that you can take!  


First, you can now access the "Introduction to the Environment Rating Scales (ERS)" training on ProSolutions—at no cost and at your own pace. Simply search for the course, add it to your cart, and get started whenever you're ready! 


Second, Modules 1-3 of the Using ERS Tools to Guide Continuous Quality Improvement: The ERS Pathway Readiness Series, is also now available. As a requirement for Step 2 on the ERS pathway of GSQ, "a consistent cohort that includes representatives of the program administration has completed the training and PLC: “Using ERS Tools to Guide Continuous Quality Improvement: The ERS Pathway Readiness Series”. 


Any programs working to be a step two in GSQ on the ERS pathway will need to complete this ERS PLC. The live PLC is 6 weeks and will consist of watching the modules and following up each module with a virtual meeting on Zoom to discuss what you learned and to make connections to your work in your program. Any program that needs to complete the ERS Readiness PLC will be invited to do so and will be notified of when the next offering of the live PLC will be happening. 


If you need help or have any questions about either offerings, feel free to reach out to our Training and Technical Assistance team at 603-578-1386 ext. 2526 or 2532, or email ccrrtraining@snhs.org

Access 'Introduction to the Environment Rating Scales' Training on ProSolutions

CPR/First Aid Trainings

Registration is now open for the CPR/First Aid Training on Saturday, December 7th, in Nashua, NH, through NHCIS. If you need this training, don't wait—spots are limited. Please remember to withdraw if you’re unable to attend.

Register on NHCIS

Other Early Childhood News And Updates

Join the Quality Support CDA Cohort

View the Flyer

Are you an individual working in a licensed child care program? Are you looking to become qualified to be left alone with the children in your care? A Child Development Associate (CDA)® credential will help enable you to become lead teacher qualified. 


The Quality Support CDA® Cohort (QS CDA Cohort) is the perfect way for you to obtain the training and assessment necessary to earn your credential at no cost to you. Child Care Aware of New Hampshire (CCAoNH), in partnership with T.E.A.C.H. New Hampshire (T.E.A.C.H. NH) and the Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program (ECAP), is looking for up to twelve (12) participants to participate in the CDA® Cohort, beginning in January of 2025. This QS CDA Cohort will run through to June 30, 2025. Applications are due by December 1, 2024

If you are interested in joining the QS CDA® Cohort, please email dmanning@snhs.org to request an application.

The State Early Learning Alliance (SELA)

Check out the new tab on the SELA Platform for STAFF BENEFITS that are available to you.

Whether you’re an Employer searching for more benefits to offer your employees or an Employee looking to support yourself and your family in new ways, there are options for you!

EMPLOYER PAID PLAN OPTIONS include Dental, Vision, Telemedicine (most popular), Life Insurance, Life/Accidental, Disability, Critical Illness, Accident, and more!



EMPLOYEE PAID PLAN OPTIONS include Dental, Vision, Telemedicine, Life Insurance, Pet Insurance, and more!


These benefits were highlighted during our July 30 webinar which can be watched here:


SELA Retention and Recruitment, Benefits and Tools Webinar  

Reminder that you can use your Child Care Workforce Grant and the latest Quality Incentive Funds to cover these benefits for you and your staff – and to become a SELA Premium Member to get help navigating these benefits!

To learn more, log into or register for free on the SELA Platform at www.selanhmembers.com. You will receive approval of your registration within one business day. Once you log in begin with the START HERE tab.

SELA NH

QUESTIONS? Email sela@earlylearningnh.org or schedule a half hour Zoom with us using this link https://calendly.com/jcowell-2/30min?month=2022-11

Child Care Aware of NH is a statewide Child Care Resource and Referral Program of Southern New Hampshire Services. The preparation of this newsletter was financed under a Contract with the State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services, with funds provided in part by the State of New Hampshire and/or such other funding sources as were available or required, e.g., the United States Department of Health and Human Services. 

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