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Division of Early Childhood |
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TUESDAY TIDBITS
The Division of Early Childhood Leadership Team
We're thrilled to share some exciting news with our community – the leadership team of the Division of Early Childhood is now fully staffed!
Having a complete leadership team means that we have a dedicated group of individuals who are passionate about early childhood education and committed to providing the best possible experiences for young learners.
Dr. Shayna Cook, Assistant State Superintendent
Tara Phillips, Executive Director of Operations, Policy, and Strategy
Dr. Nakeisha Savage, Director of Early Learning and Instruction
Vanessa Jones, Director of Family Support Services
Louis Valenti, Director of Licensing
Rene' Williams, Director of the Child Care Scholarship Program
Jena Smith, Director of Quality Improvement Initiatives
Angeline Bishop-Oshoko, Workforce Advancement Branch Chief
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Child Care Portal Session
Join us for a walkthrough of the Portal to learn how to navigate the Child Care Provider portal effectively.
January 30, 2024
6:00PM - Provider Portal https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85987408176
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Child Care Scholarship Open Office Hours
Join us for the open office hours of the Child Care Scholarship program! Our MSDE staff members are ready to assist both enrolled families and dedicated child care providers with any questions about applications, payments, or managing a Scholarship account.
February 20, 2024
12:00-1:00 PM
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MSDE Spotlighted in Policy Statement
Check out the remarkable work by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and other key stakeholders in the state included in the Policy Statement on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs. The joint statement from the US Department of Education and Health and Human Services, spotlights Maryland's noteworthy efforts on pages 24 and 28.
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Request for Public Comments
Safe Sleep
Safe sleep regulations are now posted on the Maryland Register for public comment.
COMAR 13A.15 Family Child Care, 13A.16 Child Care Centers, 13A.18 Large Family Child Care Homes (Safe Sleep)
MD Register, Volume 51, Issue 1, Friday, January 12, 2024, pp. 50-51
Public Comment Period Ends February 12, 2024
Comment
Home-Based Child Care Toolkit for Nurturing School-Age Children Study
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE), plans to gather information about a toolkit called the Home-Based Child Care Toolkit for Nurturing School-Age Children (HBCC-NSAC Toolkit). This toolkit is designed to check and improve the quality of child care. The study focuses on understanding how well the English version of the HBCC-NSAC Toolkit works for people who take care of children at home, specifically in home-based child care (HBCC).
Comment
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Push to Pre-K Sessions
Do you want to grow your child care business?
Are you looking to access State prekindergarten grants next school year?
We've created Push to Pre-K to empower child care providers with the tools they need to tap into State prekindergarten grants.
Components of an Educational Program, Defining High-Quality Pre-K, & Finding Qualified Staff Members – January 24, 2024 1-2:30pm [Join here]
Grant Writing Tips – February 7, 2024 1-2pm [Join here]
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Want to teach Pre-K in your FCC home?
If you are a FCC provider with a BA/BS degree and want to teach Pre-K this fall, join the Family Child Care Alliance of Maryland for a webinar about the ASPIRE Pre-K program on January 30 at 6:30 PM. To learn more and register, visit www.aspireprek.org/2024-webinars.
MSDE Office Closures
MSDE and other State offices will be closed on the following days:
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February 19, 2024 Presidents' Day
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May 27, 2024 Memorial Day
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June 19, 2024 Juneteenth
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Licensing Survey
We are send ya Licensing Inspection Survey via email following each inspection of a child care program. This survey allows providers to share feedback about the customer service experience during the inspection. If you haven't received your inspection report and/or the survey link, please check your Spam folder. Alternatively, you can use your phone to scan the QR code provided.
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Child Care Provider Portal
If you're a child care provider participating in the Child Care Scholarship (CCS) program, forms must be uploaded to and submitted using the Child Care Provider Portal.
Even if you're not part of the CCS program, you can still sign up for the Provider Portal to do some basic tasks, like uploading necessary documents for licensing.
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Recently Updated Forms and Documents
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Have Questions?
Attend an Office of Child Care Information Session. Each month a branch will share news and updates. Submit any questions or comments you have during the registration process. Answers will be provided during the Listening Session or emailed to you directly.
All sessions are 6:00-7:00PM
Register at the beginning of each month on our website.
- January 25 - Maryland EXCELS
- February 29 - General DEC Updates
Missed a session? Check out previous recordings and presentations.
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Training/Professional Development |
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Training for Child Care Providers
Looking for a Training?
Basic Heath & Safety Training
Information and registration for the FREE trainings are available here.
The Basic Health and Safety Training update for calendar year 2023 is available. The training is FREE and only available online. Registration is NOT required.
3 Steps to Accessing your Basic Health and Safety Update 2023
Child Care & COVID-19 Training
will no longer be available to child care providers and caregivers. The 2023 Basic and Health and Safety Update Training is now available. Training Update
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What you need to know about Winter Poison Safety
With the winter chill in the air, the Maryland Poison Center (MPC) offers safety information to keep you and your family safe.
MCCRN Infant Toddler Symposium Reignite Your Passion: Infant & Toddler Play Edition
Join us in this Engaging symposium designed exclusively for Infant/Toddler Educators, where we integrate two dynamic workshops into one collaborative theme focused on play for our youngest learners.
Learn more
The Pyramid Model for Infants and Toddlers Classrooms (18 COK hours)
The BCCCRC Infant Toddler Coach and the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants are looking forward to offering the Pyramid Model training. The Pyramid Model Framework is a well-established approach to support the social-emotional development and behavioral health of infants and toddlers. By taking part in a series of 6 classes over three weeks you will receive 18 COK.
Learn more
Do you need support responding to challenging behaviors?
Join UMD’s study of Maryland's state-wide program to nurture children's social-emotional well-being. Teachers receive classroom-based support from specialists and consultation on specific behavioral concerns, plus $300. Center Directors receive $200. Learn strategies while helping us document the impact of social-emotional supports for young children.
Learn more
BCCCRC's 2024 Emotional Wellness Conference (6 COK hours)
Registration is open for the annual BCCCRC Emotional Wellness Conference!
Date: Saturday, March 9th Time: 8:15am-4:00pm Location: Notre Dame of Maryland University Please take note that if you register for the conference, you will also need to register for your breakout individual breakout session that you would like to take.
Learn more
Southern Maryland Credential Workgroup Session
Get assistance with your MSDE credential application no matter where you are in the process. Open to all Southern Maryland child care providers (home, large family home, & center) January 29, 2024, 6-8pm at Leonardtown Public Library.
Learn more
Earn Your CDA Online On Your Time
Advance your career and earn your Child Development Associate (CDA) online with Miss Trish's all-inclusive CDA Program!
- Learn from anywhere at any time online
- IACET accredited
- Support from licensed educators
- 120 hours of training | 12 CEUs
- Free Professional Portfolio review
Contact Us Today! 833-678-7474 contact@misstrish.net
Learn more
Family Child Care Apprenticeship Program
The Family Child Care Alliance of Maryland is launching an apprenticeship program for FCC providers!
Apprentices receive training, computers, mentoring, and wages for working full-time with an experienced mentor. Contact jody.lamberti@fccamd.org for information.
Apply
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Fire Safety Training for Early Childhood Professionals
February 27, 2024
This course covers fire safety, fire basics/chemistry, the elements of a fire inspection, common fire inspection violations, fire extinguishment techniques, and response options for fires. The course will also provide tools, tips and resources for developing a plan for responding to a fire in or near your program. Thanks to funding provided by MSDE the registration fee for this event is only $5.
Learn more
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Community Resources for Emergency Preparedness: Stress, Trauma and Infant/Toddler Interactions
Project ACT will hold regular Q & A sessions with guest presenters to explore a variety of aspects of emergency and disaster preparedness. Participants will receive one Continued Training hour in Health, Safety and Nutrition. You will also be entered to win a kit filled with necessities! Our guest speaker for this event: Amanda Holiday-Bembridge
Topic: Taking a Closer Look at the Reciprocal Effects Stress and Trauma Have on Infant/Toddler Interactions with Caregivers
Learn more
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The Council for Professional Recognition, Maryland State Department of Education, and Maryland Family Network have partnered to offer funding to help you earn or renew your Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential. And now, fully funded CDA® training is available for Maryland early childhood educators! Training options are available for CDA candidates and renewal applicants. Don’t miss out on this exciting professional development opportunity.
Learn more
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Professional Development Workshops presented by Linda Bratcher
January
- 23 - Loose Parts Play
- 30 - Storytelling in the Early Years
February
- 8 - Introduction to the NEW, UPDATED Pyramid Model for Preschool
- 12 - Footsteps to Fitness School-age
- 26 - Financial Strategies 2
Fun and friendly hands-on workshops for inquiring early educators. Join us!
Register
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Register for 2024 Virtual Professional Learning Institute -- Artful Beginnings: Teaching Infants and Toddlers through the Arts!
Join Arts for Learning Maryland for its VIRTUAL Professional Learning Institute, 3/16-5/18, and earn up to 8 COK hours! Geared towards educators of infants & toddlers, this 4-part series will engage participants in dynamic arts strategies. Register now to get the early bird discount of $45 for 4 workshops!
Register
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$5.00 Virtual DEI Professional Development Institute Opportunity
February 24, 2024
Join us for a part II discussion, we will continue our reflective and open collective learning regarding equity and justice focused implementation of inclusiveness in child care settings for staff, children, and families.
Learn more
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Join Petrea Hicks for "Story Voices"
Tuesday, January 30th from 6pm-9pm
Discover the importance of selecting culturally responsive literature for all children! Register Now to enter your name for a free book giveaway in celebration of Multi-Cultural Children's Book Day! *The winner will be chosen during the Live Webinar.
Learn more
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Critical Competencies 45-Hour Course
Divine Illumination Agency is conducting two separate virtual classes.
- Tuesday, 1/16/24–4/30/24
- Thursday (with Better Futures), 1/18/24–5/2/24
times are from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Use the QR code on the flyer to sign up for your preferred day.
Learn more
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No Cost Professional Development Program for Early Childhood Educators from Kennedy Krieger
Funded by MSDE, our Maryland Rebuilds – Early Learning Model of Excellence program targets early literacy and math, social-emotional learning and behavioral support, inclusive instruction, and family engagement. We offer a range of opportunities for childcare providers. Incentives are available for participants. Registration is currently open. Additional information and FAQs are available on webpage.
Email Kennedy Krieger to learn more.
Learn more
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FREE! "Supporting Maryland's Multilingual Children, The WIDA Years Essential Actions" presented by Linda Bratcher
Supporting multilingual children enhances their cognitive abilities, contributes to their social-emotional development, and fosters inclusiveness.
- Orientation February 6 & March 7
- EA 10 & 11 February 15
- EA 5 & 9 March 19
All children are language learners!
Learn more
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2024 National Leadership Conference
Celebrate Child Care’s Resilient Past and LEAD the Way to a Sustainable Future at the 2024 National Leadership Conference, April 25-27, 2024 in Austin, Texas. For more details and registration (approval # CWO-162187) contact our team at conference@necpa.net or 855-706-3272.
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BCCCRC's Growing Opportunities for Family Child Care (GOFCC)
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN STARTING A FAMILY CHILD CARE BUSINESS IN YOUR HOME?
We offer a program, called GOFCC that provides FREE training & technical assistance to individuals. Requirements to participate: Live in Baltimore City & 18 years of age or older Want to have a child care business in your home
Learn more
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