Early Learning Update Week of August 15^th

Items Covered:

·      All: Updated Washington Department of Health COVID Guidelines for Early Learning Programs

·      All: Upcoming Recorded Kickoff Webinar

·      All: Save the Date: Virtual Early Learning Professional Development Day Conference Friday, February 10^th, 2023

·      All: Monthly Early Learning Roundtables: 2^nd Thursday of each month at 4:00pm

·      All: Incorporate Outdoor Nature-Based Learning To Your ECE Program

·      Licensed Only: Monthly Licensed Webinars: 3^rd Thursday of each month at 4:15pm

·      Licensed Only: In-Person, Hands-On CPR Component Needed

Please see this week’s professional development opportunities and news: https://mycatholicschool.org/for-catholic-schools/catholic-identity/early-learning/

1.)    Updated Washington Department of Health COVID Guidelines for Early Learning Programs

On Aug. 5, 2022, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released an updated version of the Requirements and Guidance to Mitigate COVID-19 Transmission in K-12 Schools and Child Cares. Your schools administrator will update you on your specific school’s plans and operations at your in- service days, but I wanted to highlight a few pieces of guidance that were specific for Early Learning in the document:

·      A section has been added to specify what child cares, Early Learning or child programs fall under the DOH guidance.

·      Children or staff who test positive for COVID-19 must stay home and isolate for 5 days. Repeating initial tests does not change this requirement. See the what to do if a person is symptomatic flowchart for more information.

·      Children or staff returning from 5 days of isolation should wear a well-fitted mask from days 6 to 10.

·      Children under 2 years are not approved for at-home COVID-19 test kits. A parent or guardian will need to obtain testing for their child at a test site or health care provider. 

·      The definition of an outbreak for child care and Early Learning has been changed from 2 to 3 cases within a specified core group. 

2.)    Upcoming Recorded Kickoff Webinar for Early Learning

Next week I will be recording a webinar that I will then send to all of you via a link that will provide you information to start the year about Important calendar dates, Resources, Professional Development, Curriculum Resources and Licensed Program Guidance. I look forward to getting this recording to you so you have a one-stop shop for information! Looking forward to a great school year!   

3.)    Save the Date: Virtual Early Learning Professional Development Day Conference Friday, February 10^th, 2023

As many of you gather with your staff to prepare for the new school year I am hoping that you can share the date of our third annual Virtual Early Learning Professional Development Day Conference. The conference takes place on the all school Regional Professional Development Day on Friday, February 10^th and is a No School Day on school calendars. The Early Learning tract will feature several sessions focused entirely on Early Learning topics geared toward you and your staff (and STARS eligible for licensed programs). If you are interested in being a part of the planning team please let me know. Last year the time commitment for the planning team consisted of 3-4 meetings that were an hour in length. Thank you and looking forward to an awesome day of learning.

4.)    Monthly Early Learning Roundtables: 2^nd Thursday of each month at 4:00pm:

Please join us this year for our monthly Early Learning Roundtables. Starting in September they will take place on the 2^nd  Thursday of each month at 4:00pm. They will be recorded for those unable to attend. During these roundtables we focus on one topic and share with each other how you approach that topic in your programs. These roundtables have been a great way to connect, meet each other and share resources and ideas. Please let me know if there are topics that you would like to focus on during this year’s roundtables. Please see link for topics and recordings from previous roundtables:  Early Learning Resources and News – My Catholic School

5.)    Incorporate Outdoor Nature-Based Learning To Your ECE Program

This is a DCYF Community of Practice facilitated conversation - please see info from DCYF below:

Join the Farm to ECE Community of Practice call Taking Farm to ECE Outdoors to explore the intersections of Outdoor Nature-Based learning and Farm to ECE. There is one upcoming session in October.

Hear from presenters who have experience facilitating nature based activities and leave with resources to start your own!  Register here

6.)    Licensed Only: Monthly Licensed Webinars: 3^rd Thursday of each month at 4:15pm:

Please join us this year for our monthly Licensed Program Webinar’s. Starting in September they take place on the 3^rd Thursday of each month at 4:15pm. They will be recorded for those unable to attend. Each one of these webinars focus on a different administrative aspect of operating a licensed program. These webinars have been great to make sure we are staying in compliance with our DCYF requirements and tracking changes and updates that happen throughout the year. Please let me know if there are topics that you would like to focus on during this year’s Webinars. Please see link for topics and recordings from last year’s Webinars.  Early Learning Resources and News – My Catholic School

7.)    Licensed Only: In-Person, Hands-On CPR Component Needed

Have a great week!

Dave Mayer | Director of Early Childhood Education

O: 206-264-2080 | C: 206-512-4336           

W: mycatholicschool.org