February 24, 2021
March 4, 2021 Provider netWORK Webinar
 
You are invited to a Zoom webinar!
When: March 4, 2021 09:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Topic: March 2021 Provider netWORK Meeting

Please register for this webinar using the blue button below. You will receive a confirmation email after completing your registration. If you have any questions please submit them through the Redline
Coming Soon!

Be on the lookout for additional information regarding future monthly Zoom sessions to discuss the new EFS Mod System features and processes. These monthly sessions will address any questions you may have as we hope to improve your experience with the new system.
The 2021 Virtual Rotary Read Aloud (RRA) Initiative has officially kicked off! See here for Pat Sabiston's reading of Can't Never Could. Please feel free to use these videos in your classrooms and be on the lookout for more read-aloud videos in the coming months.
 
For those that have signed up for RRA, be sure to check your inbox. If you would like to receive the RRA videos, please email redline@elcnwf.org.
Read Across America
Dr. Seuss Day

Get involved! Dr. Seuss Day is a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually on March 2 (Dr. Seuss’s birthday!)
Across the country, thousands of schools, child care centers, libraries, and community centers participate by bringing together children and books. Be sure to celebrate Dr. Seuss Day with your children!
Supporting Dual Language Learners

Without a doubt, fostering young dual language learners’ development of English and also of their home languages is a major challenge. Here are some tools to support even the youngest learners.
VPK Registration Now Open for 2021-22 School Year

Please remind parents of 4-year-olds that the VPK registration is now open for the 2021-22 School year.

You can direct parents to the VPK page at elcnwf.org for more information using the button below.
We invite all providers to represent their center by participating in this time-honored tradition. As with years past, tens of thousands of hands will be displayed throughout the Capitol Rotunda to remind our legislators just who is impacted by their policy decisions.
You can begin creating your hand artwork as soon as you would like. This year, we are asking that each program string together their hand art into 8- to 10-foot strands, and attach a name card including the program name, program city, class name, and class age group. We want our legislators to spot hand art from their hometown. 

  • Hand artwork must be strung together and secured prior to mailing. Please do not send individual hands.
  • Alternatively, you may also use the hands to create small posters that should be no larger than 11x14.

We ask that ALL strands of hand art be completed by March 5th. Due to necessary COVID precautions, we are asking all providers to mail their hand artwork directly to the ELC of Big Bend no later than March 5th to allow for the USPS shipping times. Please mail to:
The Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend Region
2639 N. Monroe Street, Building C
Tallahassee, FL 32303

Click the button below for a flyer that you can post in your center. If you have any questions or need additional information about Children's Week, please email redline@elcnwf.org. 
Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) begins before the age of 3 and can last throughout a person’s life, although symptoms may improve over time. Some children with ASD show hints of future problems within the first few months of life. In others, symptoms may not show up until 24 months or later. Some children with an ASD seem to develop normally until around 18 to 24 months of age, and then they stop gaining new skills, or they lose the skills they once had. Studies have shown that one-third to half of the parents of children with an ASD noticed a problem before their child’s first birthday, and nearly 80% to 90% saw problems by 24 months of age.

Please click below for more information on the signs and symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Sign up for ASQ-SE On-Site Technical Assistance and Receive a FREE Social-Emotional Kit!
 
The Coalition is excited to bring this opportunity to our SR Providers. This on-site tool will assist our Providers in evaluating potential social-emotional concerns for children in their care. Please use this link to sign up for this on-site technical assistance. The deadline to sign up and receive your free Social-Emotional Kit has been extended to February 26, 2021.
We are looking for parents to join the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)

Download a copy of the flyer by clicking the button below. Please make sure all parents in your center receive a copy of this flyer. You can print to send home with each of your children, or you can simply post the flyer on your social media page.
Early Care and Education Webinar Series from Save the Children - February 25th

Save the Children designed a series of trainings focusing on professional development that supports and influences early care and education professionals. 

These courses are FREE and are conducted live via Zoom. If you are interested in registering, please email atrent@savechildren.org.
Sound Beginnings Early Language Development: Best Practices for Early Learning Teachers

February 25th - 3:00pm - 5:00pm CT

Learn evidence-based strategies for promoting oral language development for infants, toddlers, & preschoolers. Download the flyer below for information about how to register for the FREE Zoom Webinar.
Sesame Street in Communities
Virtual Workshop Series

March 9th - 5:00pm - 7:00pm CT

Join a special Sesame Street in Communities (SSIC) Workshop for Early Childhood Educators. In this workshop, they will share SSIC resources to use in your classroom or home to help children ages 2-5. Topics will include literacy, routines, and offering comfort. Discuss with your fellow providers how you might or have used SSIC resources, share new resources, play games, and learn together!

There will be a follow-up session on Saturday, March 27 (time TBD). Attendees of the March 9 workshop are encouraged to attend the follow-up session.

Two in-service hours are available for early educators who are located in the Big Bend and Northwest region of Florida.
As OEL is reviewing VPK success rates between VPK vs. Non-VPK programs across the state, the Coalition wanted to remind you about the OEL sponsored Virtual Study Buddies (VSB) opportunities, to assist VPK teachers as they review for the end of course assessments that are required for some of the VPK trainings. These sessions are FREE and provide an opportunity for participants to ask clarifying questions and get a better understanding of the course content that they will be testing on.  

Training Stipends for Teachers through PAEC and OEL

Florida Early Childhood Educators are eligible for a $75 stipend upon the successful completion of the specific courses by June 30, 2021. The following funding is sponsored through OEL and Panhandle Area Educational Consortium (PAEC).
Click below to find eligible courses and additional information.
Click below to access the Teacher Stipends for Teachers FAQs.
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!
Cartoon Corner
Sesame Street: F is for Fairytale
February Special Dates

Black History Month
National Library Lover’s Month


February 26
National Tell a Fairytale Day

February 27
National Strawberry Day
We exist to grow healthy children, parents, and the relationship between them.
Sponsored by the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida and the State of Florida, Office of Early Learning