January 2024

Happy New Year!


As we step into 2024, Child Care Aware of NH looks forward to working together and collaborating with you to support your program’s success. Through our shared efforts, we can continue to enhance the quality of child care and ensure families have the resources they need.


We’re here to provide valuable tools, resources, and guidance to help your program grow and thrive in the year ahead.


Enjoy this January edition of Monthly Minutes!


~ Child Care Aware of NH

Enjoy This Wellness Moment: Empowered Boundaries: Building the Life You Deserve

“You are not required to set yourself on fire to keep others warm.”

― Unknown


A boundary is a way to communicate your needs and limits to others. If you find yourself feeling guilty for not doing more and have difficulty saying no in your personal or work life, it might be helpful to practice setting boundaries. How do we start? One way is by practicing a three-part framework:  

  • I feel...State your emotions about the situation (e.g., overwhelmed, frustrated).
  • I need...Clarify your need to address the issue (e.g., more time, space, understanding).
  • I expect...Set a clear boundary or action step (e.g., timely communication, and respect for your space).

 

"I feel overwhelmed when meetings run late without notice. I need predictable end times to manage my schedule. I expect meetings to finish within the agreed time frame."

 

If you are uncomfortable using this framework, practice talking to yourself in the mirror, or ask a friend if you can rehearse a situation with them!

 

The idea of setting boundaries can bring up some difficult feelings and situations.  Sometimes humor can make things a little less daunting. Check out this amusing video about setting boundaries by the YouTube channel “Juggling the Jenkins”: Exposure Therapy with Tiffany Jenkins (skit).

16 Quotes About Boundaries That Will Help You Say “No”

CCAoNH Update

It's Time to Update Your Program Profiles!

Our Outreach Specialists are connecting families with child care programs across NH. Families can now use the NH Child Care Search Portal to find programs with openings for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children, programs accepting NH Child Care State Scholarship, and programs that have earned Accreditation or a step in Granite Steps for Quality.


Program Directors, please update your Program Profile tile in NHCIS to keep your information current. Need help? Call us at 603-578-1386 ext. 2531.

CCAoNH Professional Development Opportunities

View Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities Here

The Winter 2024-2025 Trainings At-A-Glance calendar is here! Explore upcoming opportunities to enhance your professional skills, including CPR/First Aid Training dates, Virtual Learning Community sessions, upcoming specials and our Credential Challenge with supporting trainings.

View January Virtual Learning Communities (VLC) Topics Here
Register on NHCIS

Join the Credential Challenge!

The Early Childhood Credential Challenge is still underway—don’t miss out!


Join as a team with your program or as an individual by February 28th. CCAoNH team members are here to support you every step of the way. Earn credentials, win prizes, and celebrate at the Annual Celebration of NH Early Childhood Professionals this spring!


Check out professional development trainings like Credential Guidance: Why and How to Join the Credential Challenge and Creating a Professional Development Plan Using NH Workforce Competencies. Visit NHCIS for details and to register!

Team Commitment Form
Individual Commitment Form
View the Flyer
 Register on NHCIS

Be Well, Care Well Self-Care Series Starting in January

Ready to prioritize you this new year? Let’s get started!


Join Child Care Aware of NH for Be Well Care Well, a six-part training series just for Early Childhood Education professionals. Guided by compassionate Well-Being Coaches, these sessions offer hands-on tools, helpful strategies, and support to help you boost well-being, reduce stress, and build stronger connections.


With each session offered twice, it’s easy to fit into your schedule. Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in yourself and your team!


The series begins on Tuesday, January 21st, with two training session options. View the flyer for all the details!

View the Flyer
 Register on Eventbrite

CPR/First Aid Trainings! New Dates Added

Registration is now open for the CPR/First Aid Training on Saturday, January 18th in Claremont, NH, and February 15th in Laconia, through NHCIS. If you need this training, don't wait—spots are limited. Please remember to withdraw if you’re unable to attend.

View the Flyer
Register on NHCIS

Other Early Childhood News And Updates

TEACH NH Early Childhood Scholarship Program is Accepting Applications

View the Flyer

The TEACH NH Early Childhood Scholarship Program is currently accepting applications


The TEACH program works with all 7 NH community colleges and UNH-College of Professional Studies to support early childhood educators as they take courses in early childhood education, and also general education requirements for an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. 


Scholarship recipients are responsible for only 5% of their tuition. This is a great opportunity to further your education and early childhood credentials.  


Don't miss out, apply now to start in January 2025.

For more information, contact teachnh@caphr.org or visit NH Connections.

Funding Opportunity For NH Licensed Child Care Facilities with Lead in Their Water

View the Flyer
Visit the Child Care Lead in Drinking Water Remediation Funding Page

The State Early Learning Alliance (SELA)

Happy New Year from Early Learning NH and SELA!  Start the year off with support from SELA to SAVE TIME, SAVE MONEY, and SUPPORT QUALITY! 

 

Check out the Commonly Used Resources on the SELA Platform at the START HERE page

 

Docs by Phone/Telemedicine

Access board certified doctors and pediatricians within minutes by phone, video, or mobile app 24/7/365. 

 

Early Childhood Jobs in NH

Post your open positions to an all-in-one tool for employers looking to hire talented ECE staff.

 

HR Hotline

Gain unlimited and direct access to a HR professional to answer all of your HR questions.

 

My Savings Portal

Take advantage of exclusive discounts on products and services specific to early childhood.

 

Get more out of SELA by becoming a SELA Premium Member

SELA Premium members have access even more benefits, including local vendors, and a personal SELA Navigator to help them access all that there is to offer! Contact us today to learn more!

To learn more, log into or register for free on the SELA Platform at www.selanhmembers.com. You will receive approval of your registration within one business day. Once you log in begin with the START HERE tab.

SELA NH

QUESTIONS? Email sela@earlylearningnh.org or schedule a half hour Zoom with us using this link https://calendly.com/jcowell-2/30min?month=2022-11

Child Care Aware of NH is a statewide Child Care Resource and Referral Program of Community Action Partnership Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties. The preparation of this document was financed under a Contract with the State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services, with funds provided in part by the State of New Hampshire and/or such other funding sources as were available or required, e.g., the United States Department of Health and Human Services. 

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