Early Care and Education Workforce Study Survey |
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Current and former childcare workers are encouraged to participate in the Florida Division of Early Learning’s Early Care and Education Workforce Study.
If you received a survey by email from Children’s Forum via Survey Monkey, please complete the survey by April 12, 2022. Those completing the survey will have a chance to receive a $100 stipend. The data will help guide decisions about future services and supports to the field.
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The project described was supported by the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five Initiative (PDG B-5) Grant Number 90TP0068-02-00 from the Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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2022-2023 Provider Profile Update
The deadline to submit the 2022-2023 CCR&R Provider Profile (“profile”) is April 30th.
To begin the process:
- Providers will log in to the Provider Services portal home page and select PROFILE => Manage Profile.
- When this page loads, you will see a button in the middle of the page "+Create 2022". Pressing this button will migrate your profile to the 2022-23 Program year.
- All answers previously submitted will copy to the new PROFILE. Make sure you review those answers and update anything that needs to be corrected.
It is imperative that your profiles reflect the correct and most up to date information. Important things to update and review include the Curriculum used, your Private Rates (effective July 1, 2022) and determining the closure dates between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.
While you are submitting your profiles, please take note of some common mistakes we are seeing to save you time:
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For liability insurance under “Certificate Holder: The Coalition address needs to be updated to 4636 HWY 90 East , Suite P. Marianna, Fl 32446
- Please verify you are using the 2022 Exhibit 5 form that was emailed to you last month and all rates match using the “SR Daily Rate Helper” section on the Private Rate tab.
- Ensure you are uploading a current screenshot of the SUNBIZ website showing ACTIVE and having borders showing the website and date information pulled down from the website.
- Make sure the selected curriculum is not expired and covers the ages of the children served at your program.
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Updated Child Screening Process for SR Providers |
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To better align with the Legislation and Rule for child screenings, the Coalition will be changing annual child screening dates from birthdays to redetermination dates beginning April 20, 2022.
By using the Redetermination date, this will allow the Child Screening portion of the Provider Portal to be updated in a timely manner. Please begin using your Developmental Screening Portal in your EFS Mod Provider Services Portal to access the screenings that are due.
Below are a few helpful tips and an excerpt from the child screening rule for reference.
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- EFS/Mod will automatically schedule a screening and it will populate in your Developmental Screening Portal if needed.
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If there is a request for an ASQ-3 or ASQ-SE in your Provider Portal, then a parent has not opted out of the ASQ-SE screening, and you are required to complete the ASQ-SE screening.
- Occasionally if a parent or provider is concerned about a screening, the system will prompt another screening at the next screening interval to see if the child is progressing.
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Until ALL birthday screenings are filtered out, there may be duplicate screenings. For example, you may have completed a birthday screening on 2/14/22, but your Development Screening Portal is prompting you to complete a screening with a Due Date by 3/31/22. You will need to complete all requested screenings by the indicated due date. This will begin the alignment with the Development Screening Portal.
6M-4.720 Screening of Children in the School Readiness Program.
(a) Initial screening. Each early learning coalition shall coordinate with parents and providers to complete an initial screening for each child, aged six (6) weeks to age of 60 months.
(b) Subsequent screenings. Each early learning coalition shall coordinate with parents and providers for subsequent screenings to be completed annually at redetermination.
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Provider Paid Holiday Survey Results
Over the last two weeks the ELCNWF gathered information about the use of paid holidays using a short survey and recently evaluated the results. Based on feedback provided and number of respondents, the current ten (10) paid holidays (8 set holidays and 2 floating holidays) will remain the same for the 2022-2023 SR program year. The ELCNWF will continue to evaluate the use of paid holidays to determine if any changes could be made in the future. Thank you to everyone who responded to the survey!
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Phonological Awareness Development for Preschoolers Training |
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Monday, April 11, 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 #9866. As a reminder, all of the trainings listed on the DCF training website are listed in eastern time. |
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Educators play a key role in protecting children from sexual abuse. They can build student supports for understanding and reporting abuse, and foster students’ safety by establishing and enforcing preventative policies and procedures in school settings. Understanding your role in the safety and support of children can help keep them safe from abuse.
To all the educators out there: here are three reasons why YOU make a difference
- An educator may be the only and last person who hears about the child abuse
- Educators can be the last line of defense for a child being abused at home
- Educator actions can lead to increased reporting of abuse
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Trauma-Informed Care for Child Care Professionals
In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, DCF invites School Readiness personnel to take our Trauma-Informed Care for Child Care Professionals (TICC) course for free during the month of April.
In addition to helping identify the signs of stress and learning techniques to create a trauma-sensitive environment in the classroom, this five-hour online course contributes to in-service training requirements.
To take advantage of this free offer, log into your Child Care Training student account, register and complete TICC from April 1 – 30.
Please note: In order to take advantage of the free opportunity, you must complete the course before midnight (EST) on April 30, 2022. If you do not complete the course before this deadline, you will be automatically removed from the course and you will have to register again to take the course for the full cost of $10
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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.
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Please make sure EACH Teacher in your program completes the packet and includes a voided check or bank form.
- 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.
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You can download a copy of the NWI informational webinar HERE
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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. |
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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.
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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:
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Feeling Faces Cards
From National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations
The Feeling Faces assist children with understanding their feelings and the feelings of others. It is important to teach children words to use to express feelings in replace of the use of challenging behavior. The feeling cards that follow can be used in a variety of ways to help children learn social-emotional skills around use of emotional literacy and vocabulary.
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Florida Prepaid Information for Families |
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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)
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Please print and distribute to your families |
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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! |
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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:
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Learning About Me — Awareness of self: identity & belonging, feelings and self-regulation
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Learning About You — Awareness of others: empathy, appreciation of diversity
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Learning About Us — Relationships with others: interpersonal strategies
Have your kids listen, sing, and dance along to "Celebrate Our Differences", from Noggin’s Big Heart Beats album. And be sure to follow their site as they will release a new video every month.
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April Special Dates
Alcohol Awareness Month
Financial Literacy Month
National Child Abuse Awareness Month
Month of the Military Child
Keep America Beautiful Month
Autism Awareness Month
National Volunteer Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month
National Wildlife Week (April 4-8)
National Volunteer Week (April 17-23)
Administrative Professionals Week (April 25-29)
Every Kid Healthy Week (April 24-30)
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April 6
Childhelp National Day of Hope
April 8
Zoo Lovers Day
April 9
National Unicorn Day
April 10
Encourage a Young Writer Day
National Siblings Day
April 11
National Pet Day
April 12
National Only Child Day
April 15
Good Friday
April 17
Easter
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April 18
Animal Crackers Day
April 21
National Kindergarten Day
April 22
Earth Day
April 23
National Picnic Day
April 26
Kids and Pets Day
April 27
Tell a Story Day
Administrative Professionals’ Day
April 28
National Superhero Day
Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
Teach Children to Save Day
April 30
National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
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We exist to help grow healthy children, parents,
and the relationship between them.
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Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida
Phone: 850.747.5400 | Fax: 850.747.5450
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Sponsored by the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida and the State of Florida, Division of Early Learning |
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