The Star Gazette
In this Edition:
  • Spring Child Care Stabilization Grant Deadlines
  • MiAEYC Conference
  • CLASS Observations
  • GSQ and CLASS Training
  • Teachstone Webinar Opportunity
  • A Great Resource to Add to the Cultural Competence Plan
  • Screening, Assessment, and Curriculum List Update
Spring Child Care Stabilization Grant Deadlines
The Spring Child Care Stabilization Grant is open! The application will close on Thursday, May 26th at 6:00 pm. In order to apply you must submit your fall 2021 Child Care Stabilization Grant Spending Report by May 20, 2022.

Grants will include up to $1,000 bonuses for each full time staff member and $500 for each part time staff member.

Before you apply, we strongly encourage you to review the FAQ and important deadlines below.
Visit Michigan.gov/childcare to learn more.
Join Us at the MiAEYC Conference
Several ECIC staff will be presenting at the MiAEYC Conference this year to share information about revisions to Great Start to Quality. We hope to see you there!
 
Thursday, May 5 10:30-11:45 a.m.
Great Start to Quality – An overview of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS)
Kristen Howard, Assessment Manager
Jennifer Rountree, Consultant and Certified CLASS Trainer
 
Friday, May 6 12:45-2:00 p.m.
Great Start to Quality- New Process Coming Soon
Christy Opsommer, Director of Systems
Melissa Mosely, Validation Manager
Kristen Howard, Assessment Manager
Stop by and see us at in the Exhibit Hall as well! We hope to see you there.
CLASS Observations
The Great Start to Quality Assessment team is practicing CLASS observations throughout the State of Michigan this spring and summer. Many providers might wonder what it looks like to have an observer come to their program for a CLASS observation.
Here is a short YouTube video from Teachstone (the creators of CLASS) that may help demonstrate what to expect during a CLASS observation:
As always, if you have further questions, or you would like to get on our list to have a practice CLASS observation, reach out to the Assessment Team at assessment@ecic4kids.org
GSQ and CLASS Training 
We are excited to bring another training session on the CLASS tool along with updates on how it will be used in Great Start to Quality. During the training, we will support learning around the infant and toddler tools, specifically about the impactful interactions that support children in child care on a daily basis. There will be opportunity to watch videos of educators in action modeling these critical skills to support infant and toddler development.

There will be two sessions of this training. Please use the MiRegistry registration links below to complete registration for the session of your choice. All training is free!
Event #107684
Event #107686
Teachstone Webinar Opportunity
Teachstone is offering a webinar on April 27 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. titled “What is Quality Teaching Anyway?” The webinar will explore what aspects of teaching create meaningful, lasting impacts on the children you work with in your setting.
A Great Resource to Add to the Cultural Competence Plan (Indicator N-CI4, A-CI4, C-CI4 and O-CI3)  
When providers and educators give children opportunities to identify and celebrate the diversity of their families, community, and other cultures, this encourages increased self-esteem, pride in one’s culture, and feelings of acceptance of other cultures to become global citizens. You may be wondering where to find a resource that programs and providers can use that puts celebrating diversity into practice. Well, look no further.  

Don’t Look Away: Embracing Anti-Bias Classrooms leads early childhood professionals to explore and address issues of bias, equity, low expectations, and family engagement to ensure culturally responsive experiences. More importantly, this book will challenge you to consider your perceptions and thought processes of the following:
  • Identify your own unconscious biases—we all have them! 
  • Recognize and minimize bias in the classroom, school, and community. 
  • Connect with children and their families. 
  • How to help close the opportunity gap for children from marginalized communities. 
This book offers strategies, tools, and information to help create a culturally responsive and equitable learning environment. 
 
This book or any other tool or resource to support cultural competency in a program is a great way to add to the program’s cultural competence plan.
Screening, Assessment, and Curriculum List Update
The Great Start to Quality Approved Screening, Assessment, and Curriculum list has been updated to remove the screening and assessment tools that are no longer published, are not readily available, have been updated, and are not comprehensive. The updated list can be found on the Self-Assessment Survey page of www.greatstarttoquality.org.
Great Start to Quality on Facebook
Great Start to Quality is on Facebook! Like and follow our page to get the latest updates for you and resources to share with your colleagues and families. 
Like Us on Facebook for More Updates:
If you are thinking about how to maintain or continue making quality improvements, or if you’re ready to learn more and need help, contact your local Great Start to Quality Resource Center by calling 1-877-614-7328 or visit www.greatstarttoquality.org.
Funding from the Office of Great Start within the Michigan Department of Education supports the implementation of Great Start.