What is Happening at CCAoNH?
Hello Providers,

Are you feeling the winter chill yet? As they say, "Winter is Coming". Here at Child Care Aware of New Hampshire, a program of Southern New Hampshire Services, we are heating up with some wonderful upcoming Special Events, new exciting opportunities from T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® New Hampshire and a continuation of our Family education series, "Searching for the Right Child Care Series". Please note, we will be closed on the following dates in the month of December: Friday, December 24th and Friday, December 31st.

The Child Care Resource and Referral Outreach Specialists have been busy with the final push in helping providers to begin applying for their ARPA Grants. They have also been spreading the word about our "Searching for the Right Child Care Series" to help families understand the process of looking for QUALITY child care. If you know any families who may benefit, please help us to spread the word. As a reminder, If your program has vacancies, please reach out to an Outreach Specialist by calling (603) 578-1386 ext. 2531 to update your program's information.

The Training and TA Specialists are busy with Quality initiatives such as the Q-Ready Environment Rating Scales and the Q-Ready Intro and Overview of the Pyramid Model. These initiatives delivered in cohort format, have connected providers around the State to come together to discuss best practices and implement new concepts into their classrooms environments. They have also been connecting with providers who are taking the exciting steps to become Credentialed in this year's Credential Challenge. Check out more information about the Challenge and its prizes below. We are offering a variety of professional development opportunities that are detailed in this month's E-Newsletter. If you are interested in attending one of our PD Trainings, please remember to register through NHCIS and confirm the correct times in the PD Connections Guide. Training and TA Specialists are hoping to see many Providers at the upcoming A.C.T Training Day and upcoming Infant and Toddler Institute this month. Check out information about other Special Events below. We are also continuing to provide quality coaching to Providers through our open enrollment Progressive Training and Technical Assistance Program, Cohort options and Early Childhood Focused Collaboratives.
 
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for everything you do for families and children. We hope that you enjoy this month's edition of Monthly Minutes.
CCAoNH Updates
The Credential Challenge is GOING ON NOW
Are you and/or your staff looking to apply for their Credentials?

Do you and your staff need to renew their Credentials?

Are you interested in receiving raffle tickets to win some really cool prizes?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, the Credential Challenge is for you! We are officially accepting applications and the Challenge runs until March 15, 2022.
Incentives:
All participants will receive professional development hours for the technical assistance they receive and for attending the Celebration.
Team Challenge Raffle Prizes:
  • $500 to a program to support Self-Care and/or Professional Development of staff
  • $250 to a program to support Self-Care and/or Professional Development of staff
  • Revive and Thrive Trainings (2)
  • $100 Gift Card towards a Staff Lunch
Individual Challenge Raffle Prizes:
  • $250 to support Self-Care and/or Professional Development
  • Fitbit
  • $100 Spa Finder Gift Card
  • $50 Amazon Gift Card
Quality Support CDA® Cohort
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 while providing you with training hours and an opportunity to create a portfolio of your experience in your program.

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 with other peers in the field of early care and education.
Through Southern New Hampshire Services, Child Care Aware of New Hampshire, in partnership with T.E.A.C.H. New Hampshire (T.E.A.C.H. NH) and the Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program (ECAP), has developed this QS CDA Cohort model to
assist individuals in obtaining their CDA® at no cost to them. This initial QS CDA Cohort is looking for up to twelve (12) participants to begin the first phase of the CDA® process in January of 2022. This QS CDA Cohort will run through to June 30, 2022 with potential for longer pending funding. Applications are due by December 15, 2021.
NH Family Child Care Initiative
Here at Child Care Aware of New Hampshire we are leading an effort to create a visual snapshot of family child care in the state of New Hampshire that will illustrate available child care opportunities and deserts for both Family Child Care and Group Family Child Care within the state of NH. This work will also engage family and group child care providers and families in focus groups to determine their experiences with child care, including any benefits, existing impediments and recommended helpful supports. The initial effort for December 2021 will be in Greater Manchester, this meeting with be on Zoom. If you are interested in providing feedback and being a part of the conversation, we invite you to participate. Click on the photo for more information. 
CCAoNH Employment Opportunities
Join the Child Care Aware of NH team!
We have open positions.
  • CCR&R Training and Marketing Coordinator
  • Training and Technical Assistance Specialists
  • Child Care Resource and Referral Outreach Specialist
Starting the Conversation
How Do You help children learn to express GRATITUDE?
Practicing gratitude is more than just a Thanksgiving tradition. Teaching children how to focus on the positive and remember things they are thankful for can help little ones overcome challenges and build resilience!

Sesame Street Communities has some exciting new resources to help inspire you in preparation for the Holiday Season and beyond!
CCAoNH Professional Development Opportunities
Professional Development Training Reminders
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.
CCAoNH's Special Events
Active Collaborative Training Series:
The Choose Love™ SEL Program for the ECE Community
on Saturday, December 4, 2021

This event is all about social and emotional learning. Many of these same principles can be found in Pyramid Model practices.
2021 Infant & Toddler Institute
on Saturday, December 11, 2021

This event will guide and support teachers in infant & toddler classrooms. Much of the day will feature topics to help our youngest children meet their basic needs in caring and supporting atmospheres.
Early Childhood Focused Collaboratives
Collaborative Highlight of the Month

Family Child Care Collaborative Topic:
This month, Megg Thompson will be presenting the training, "Love vs. Fear". Megg will provide us with tools and strategies to support challenging behavior in the Family Child Care setting.

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.
Progressive Training and TA Program
Apply to be a Progressive Training and TA Program when it works for your program! You will find the application on the Technical Assistance page or by clicking the button below.
This month's Progressive Training and TA highlight

Strengthening Families, Strengthening Care: Supports Programs in evaluating their current practices around family engagement and incorporating the Protective Factors to enhance their work with the families they serve.

We have many Progressive Training and TA topics that may fit your Program's needs. Click on the flyer to the right to view the current Progressive Training and TA topics.
CCAoNH has open enrollment for the Progressive Training and TA Program!
Want to know more?

Contact us at
ccrrta@snhs.org,
(603) 578-1386, ext. 2526 and ext. 2532
or on LiveChat.
Eco-Healthy Child Care® - Protecting Children's Environmental Health
There is a NEW offering for Child Care Providers curtesy of the Bureau of Public Health Protection and the State's Environmental Health Coordinators on ProSolutions. The Eco-Healthy Child Care® - Protecting Children's Environmental Health training will be FREE, when you apply code: NHECO at check out.

This course provided by Choose Safe Places is fun, educational and captivating. Learn why children are uniquely vulnerable to common environmental health hazards found in the early learning environment (e.g., lead, pesticides, household chemicals, unsafe plastics), and receive practical and no-to-low cost strategies for preventing children’s exposures to toxins.
Monthly Health and Safety Resources
The resources found in this section can help support providers and families in planning for emergencies. You can find additional resources on the NH Connections Emergency Planning Page.
Children need extra protection from cold weather. They are not able to regulate their body temperature like adults so they can quickly develop a low body temperature. Children benefit from playing outdoors in all weather other than the most extreme conditions. Taking children outdoors daily, even in the winter, is safe when clothing is appropriate. If you plan and prepare to keep children safe and warm, they can benefit from the health and mental health benefits of being outside and active year-round. The length of outdoor time may need to be reduced due to the cold, so it will be important to make sure children continue to participate in physical activities inside.

Another benefit of safe outdoor play is that it reduces viruses like the ones that cause flu or colds, which are more common in the winter, while the air circulating inside is the main cause of illness. Spending time outside in fresh air reduces the rebreathing of germs and the chances of spreading infection. 
Other Early Childhood News and Updates
Important Information from the Bureau of Child
Development and Head Start Collaboration
State of NH Child Care Series

Session Two: The Quality of Child Care
Date: Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Time: 5:30-7:00 PM
This session will look at the importance of investing in quality child care across the State. The newly envisioned Quality Recognition and Improvement System, known as “Granite Steps for Quality”, will be explored and its potential impact on children and families.
Session Three: The Business of Child Care
Date: Wednesday, January 12, 2021
Time: 5:30-7:00 PM
This session will focus on the operational side of child care along with the key role that families and businesses play in equitable, affordable and sustainable child care across the State.
Did you miss the ARPA Stabilization/CCASP Webinar: Creative, Clever and Allowable Ways to Use Your 25% ARPA Grant Staff Incentive Set Aside webinar?

The event took place on Friday, November 12, 2021 from 12:30-1:30 PM. You can still access the recording of this session by clicking the link below.
NHTI's New Accelerated Early Childhood Education Certificate
Are you new to a career in early childhood education?

Are you on a waiver with the N.H. Child Care Licensing Unit and need to earn credits?

Do you want to advance in the field quickly?

Then check out NHTI- Concord's Community College's new offering, the ACCELERATED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CERTIFICATE. This 9-credit entry-level certificate program, which covers just 1 SEMSTER at NHTI this spring and summer, gives you the opportunity to quickly advance your career in the high-demand field of early childhood education! And, if you qualify, you could be eligible to take all 3 courses at no charge! 
Do you have Open Positions?
Check out our Job Board
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!
Public Hearing on the NH Child Care Program Licensing Rules
Please note that the official notice for the Public Hearing has been posted on the DHHS Administrative Rules website.

Public Hearing: Thursday, December 2, 2021
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: DHHS, Brown Building, Auditorium,
129 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH

This meeting may also be accessed using Microsoft Teams using the button to the right.

For more information or questions about the Public Hearing, please contact Allyson Zinno at (603) 271-9604 or by emailing allyson.zinno@dhhs.nh.gov.
FREE Contextualizing STEM Education Training
Learn about STEM with the New Hampshire Early & Elementary Mathematics Collaborative and the University of New Hampshire

On Saturday, December 4th, 2021 you can join a FREE webinar. Sign up today for PRIZES and Free books. Click below to learn more.
Child Care Aware of New Hampshire is a Child Care Resource and Referral Program powered by Southern New Hampshire Services. The preparation of this document was financed under a Contract with the State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Economic and Housing Stability, Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration with funds provided in part by the State of New Hampshire and the US Department of Health and Human Services.