March 

Developmentally Appropriate Practice: Recognizing the Essentials Virtual

Tue. March 12 $5

6:30 – 9:30pm

S.Burke 3 CUR

This training teaches child care teachers the essentials Developmentally Appropriate Practice (known as DAP) so that teachers can use knowledge about child development to create a program that is suitable for the age and stage of development of their children in their group. It covers the 5 essentials of DAP which are age appropriateness, individual appropriateness, child-guided and teacher guided experiences, cultural and social responsiveness, and play. 

Fostering a Father Friendly Environment Virtual 

Wed. March 13 / 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM / $5

A.Sullivan 2 COM

Today's fathers are very involved in their children’s lives. Participants will learn ways to help involve fathers in their programs. This workshop includes information regarding the importance of fathers/male role models, father/child activities, parent’s rights and the importance of being neutral as a child care provider.

So What Are PAUs and How Do I Get Them? Virtual 

Wed. March 14  / 6:30 – 8:30PM / $5 

M.Hill 2 COM 

Participation in activities that contribute to the professional growth and career development are important to maintain a high level of professionalism. In this workshop we will take a look at professional activities and how they can be applied to the MD Child Care Credentialing program.

Eat, Learn Grow: Literacy and STEM Virtual

Wed. March 14 1:30 – 2:30pm / Free

Wed. March 14 7:00 – 8:00pm

L. Hendricks, N. Pontoriero, H. Anthony

Children’s books lend themselves to lots of creative and developmentally appropriate activities. Join us virtually March 14th, as we explore children’s picture book titles and planning for a variety of extension activities based on those books. This ELG group session will focus on Literacy and STEM.

Sessions are free, and participants may earn 1 Professional Activity Unit (PAU). All PAU letters will be emailed within 10 business days. A participant who attends a chat session can receive only 1 PAU within the same calendar year.

Beyond Management: How to Be an Effective Leader In Person

Mon. March 18 / 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM / $5

E. Benemerito 3 PRO

In this workshop, participants will recognize differences between leadership and management and identify specific characteristics of people whom they consider to be effective leaders. 

The Basics: How Children Learn to Think - Count, Group, and Compare (NEW) In Person  

Thurs. March 21 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM / $5

G.Ferentinos 2 CUR

The Basics aims to bolster brain development for social-emotional and cognitive skill building among children ages 0-5 as a sturdy foundation for school readiness. This program believes every child can be provided fun, simple, and powerful ways to enhance their brain development. There are five pillars used to encourage parents and care providers to support social-emotional and cognitive development of children. The activities included for each pillar will emphasize the importance of building that skill, how parents and caregivers are essential in facilitating skill development of young children, and opportunities for children to become better learners for the future.

Discipline vs. Guidance: Teaching Strategies the Engage Children and Reduce Challenging Behavior (New) Virtual

Mon. March 25 / 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM / $5

A. Sullivan 1 CD 2 CUR

Teachers lose valuable instruction time to time spent mediating conflicts between students. In this training participants will learn how to teach their young students to manage their emotions and resolve conflicts collaboratively with their peers. Participants will also practice appropriate responses to resolving conflict.

Healthy Children Through Nutrition and Physical Activity Virtual

Wed. March 27 / 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM / $5

S. Burke 3 HSN

Our nations’ children are at risk for being the first generation that may have a shorter life span than their parents due to poor nutrition and lack of physical activity. This training will help the child care teaches be better informed about the food choices, how to prepare a balanced, healthy menu, and creative movement activities to do throughout the day to increase the physical fitness levels of children in their care. Appropriate for preschool and school age programs.

MSDE has updated the CPR and First Aid Trainers. Please click HERE for more information.

The Basic Health and Safety Training update for calendar year 2023 is now available. The training is FREE and only available online. Registration is NOT required. Click on the flyer button below for instructions on how to access the training.

The training must be completed by March 31, 2024. All family child care providers and child care center staff are required to complete this annual update. Upon completion of the course, individuals will be awarded 1.5 hours of continued training. Staff hired during December 2023 must complete the 3-hour Basic Health and Safety training by March 31, 2024.

Upon successful completion of the training, the system will produce a “Certificate of Participation”. Please download and save the certificate. Please save it to your device, email it to yourself, or print multiple copies in case you need another copy. The Division of Early Childhood will not keep copies of your certificate on file.

Need help applying for the MD Child Care Credential or guidance on increasing your qualifications beyond the requirements of state licensing and registration regulations? The CCRC will offer weekly Virtual Office hours between 1:30 – 2:30 starting in April. Meet one on one with our Early Childhood Program Specialist; they will walk you through the process from start to finish; offer support with gathering training certificates, PAU’s and completing the application. Virtual Office Hours are open to all Center Based and Family Child Care programs, including those new to the MD Credential. Each session will have a specific focus, however, call in with any questions.

All sessions will be held between 1:30 – 2:30.



March Dates

Tuesday March 12 and Tuesday March 26 - Program Overview; First Time application/Core of Knowledge Training/PAU 

On-site Credential Office Hours available. Our Early Childhood Program Specialist will come to your program between 1:00 – 3:00 pm and assist your staff with the application process, review certificate and training hours as well as answer any questions about the Maryland Child Care Credential Program. Contact the Office of Children and Families Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) Early Childhood Program Specialist Marissa Hill, mhill@howardcountymd.gov

The Office of Children and Families Child Care Resource Center and Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Support Services Program (Care Center) is excited to offer a new, exciting opportunity for early childhood educators and programs. You are invited to partner with us to address the social and emotional needs of young children through imbedded coaching and consultation. 

Engagement with our teams will focus on building capacity through programmatic/ environmental coaching as well as enhancing educator knowledge and skills to address the social and emotional needs of children in their classroom. 

You will work with our Early Childhood Program Specialists and our Behavior Consultants and be provided the opportunity to 

• Set the stage to decrease negative behaviors in the classroom
• Develop innovative strategies to manage challenging behaviors
• Teach children new skills to replace challenging behaviors
• Peer support in discussing/addressing difficult behaviors
• Free professional development

This free program will offer one-on-one certified coaching, access to free resources and materials, and hands-on strategies to equip early care educators with tools and techniques to effectively navigate the developing emotions of young children in their care. Programs will be selected by completing the following application – Click Here for Application

Please complete the application by March 15th.

Participating programs and providers MUST participate in the Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program.

All children have the capacity to learn, however their environment and classroom setting must be conducive to their learning style. For children with atypical development, the classroom environment can become a hindrance for learning and an arena for challenging behaviors. During this PDI, we will explore how children with Autism can learn and thrive in their early childhood settings. Strategies to support children with diverse needs, as well as strategies to create inclusive learning settings for all children will be explored. Educators will come away with simple definitions of the characteristics of autism, tools to engage and interact with children with autism in a meaningful way and how to differentiate between challenging behaviors and behaviors that arise out of frustration from a non-supportive classroom setting.

You will hear from experts in the field of Autism, and from early childhood educators as they share firsthand, real classroom experiences and strategies to support children with Autism, and how to best minimize challenging behaviors. Providers will be introduced to the local support and services offered by the Autism Society of Maryland in Howard County. New initiatives, longtime programs, and activities to increase acceptance, inclusion, and understanding of Autism will be shared.

Saturday May 11, 2024

8:00am - 2:00pm

Harriet Tubman Cultural Center

8045 Harriet Tubman Ln, Columbia, MD 21044

Cost - $50 

MSDE Approval Number: CWO-162395

COK Hours: 4 Special Needs

Explore how to incorporate science into every teaching. Participants will explore experiment materials kit. Theme for March seminars – “Egg-Citing Science”

Friday March 8, 2024, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Registration Link

https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/howardcounty/activity/search/detail/131970?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

Saturday March 9, 2024, 9:00 am – noon

Registration Link

http://apm.activecommunities.com/howardcounty/Activity_Search/131971

Welcome new children and families to your programs with all the programmatic supports you need! Enhance educator skills around transitions, daily routines/schedules, welcoming new children to the program, and child/teacher social emotional interactions. Prevent challenging behaviors before they start! Coaching and mentoring around program enhancements such as room arrangement, lesson planning, curriculum implementation, and overall classroom management also available. Contact the Office of Children and Families Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) Early Childhood Program Specialist, Marissa Hill, mhill@howardcountymd.gov

Don’t wait until challenging behaviors become unmanageable! 

To better serve the educator community and offer more comprehensive support services for early childhood educators and children, the CCRC has increased is capacity with the addition of the IECMH Program team. The expanded team includes behavior consultants who work directly with teachers and individual children to support programs in managing and reducing challenging behavior, as well as supporting children’s social emotional development. The behavior consultants offer, developmental and classroom screenings; onsite behavior observations; goal setting and practice-based coaching, and resource and referral information. The Behavioral Consultant team works collaboratively with the Early Childhood Program Specialists to offer comprehensive services. For more information, please contact the Care Line, 410-313-CARE.

MD EXCELS, Maryland Child Care Credential and Maryland Accreditation individualized support services available. Work with the CCRC to enhance and improve program quality and increase educator professional qualifications. Contact the Office of Children and Families Child Care Resource Center (CCRC), 410-313-1940 or email Marissa Hill, mhill@howardcountymd.gov

The updated Resource Room features a Lending Library to enhance your reading centers, lesson plan ideas and materials, new die cuts, laminating services, and a computer lab (internet access and printing available). Children’s books are organized by theme (5 to 6 books per theme) and can be checked out for a 2-week period. No appointment necessary.  View the list of books here

Looking for Training? Search the Maryland Child Care Training Calendar. Lists of trainers, training organizations and online training organizations.

For new and approved, expanded workshop offerings that meet Maryland child care requirements, coaching and support on all aspects of owning and operating a child care in Maryland, visit -www.prosolutionstraining.com/md(English portal) and https://www.prosolutionstraining.com/md-espanol (Spanish portal).  Courses are available through the MCCRN, a program of Maryland Family Network. Do note, any previous eLearning content purchased through Smart Horizons will still be accessible; training must be completed by June 30, 2022.  Please contact Maryland Family Network with any questions, MCCRNinfo@marylandfamilynetwork.org.

For additional Early Childhood Education and Provider news, and updates in and around the State of Maryland, checkout Tuesday Tidbits

The Family Support Center (FSC) offers comprehensive, family centered, community-based preventive programs for parents, caregivers, and their children ages birth to five. Parenting little ones is hard, the FSC is here to help! Visit https://www.howardcountymd.gov/children-families/family-support-center for more information.

Howard County families can get one/one assistance with the Child Care Scholarship program application process by calling the Office of Children and Families Child Care Resource Center (CCRC), 410-313-1940 or emailing Amber Eash, the Family Resource Specialist directly, aeash@howardcountymd.gov or Carla Lunn, Resource and Referral Specialist, clunn@howardcountymd.gov.

Workshops and Newsletter for Families

The Office of Children and Families offers Family Workshops on topics ranging from challenging behaviors, potty training, Kindergarten readiness, lifelong skills and more. All this information can be found in our monthly newsletter, the Parent Pages.

Share upcoming family workshop information with families as well as encourage them to sign up for our monthly Parent Pages newsletter. 

It’s Time to Register for Kindergarten

Make sure your families know that registration for students entering public school kindergarten in fall 2024 begins the week of March 4 in all Howard County public elementary schools. Kindergarten is mandatory in Maryland. State law requires that children entering kindergarten in the fall of 2024 must be 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2024. For complete details about registration and enrollment, visit www.hcpss.org/enroll/. Parents can learn more about kindergarten readiness, by attending the Setting Your Child Up for Success in Kindergarten workshop, Monday, March 11, 7 p.m. Register here

Kindergarten Readiness Newsletter

Children that are five by September 1 will be starting kindergarten this fall. The Transition to Kindergarten Committee has put together monthly Kindergarten Readiness Newsletters for tips on how to help children be ready for their first day!

PAU opportunity

Howard County programs are invited to participate in the Children’s Discovery Fair by offering a hands-on themed activity for children 3 to 5 years old on Saturday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the East Columbia 50+ Center. This event is an opportunity to give back to the community by offering a fun, interactive learning activity for children and parents. This event has been very successful in past years, attracting hundreds of parents and children. View complete invitation and registration to review the variety of educational pre-planned lessons for young children centered on the theme, “Math All Around Us, ” and to register your program. Professional Activity Units (PAU) for the Maryland Child Care Credential will be available for those staffing an activity for a minimum of two hours.  

Registration closes on March 11. Contact Lisa Rhodes for questions about participation lrhodes@howardcountymd.gov