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Division of Early Childhood |
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TUESDAY TIDBITS
Upcoming Webinar: Promoting Safe Sleep Environments for Infants
Years of research have informed the recommendations for safe infant sleep practices. The upcoming webinar, "Promoting Safe Sleep Environments for Infants," features one of the leading experts in the field, Dr. Rachel Moon. Join the discussion to learn how to promote culturally sensitive conversations with families of infants. Discover and share tips for sleepwear, sleeping areas, and more.
Attendance at this webinar is approved for one hour of continued training if you submit your certificate of participation received at the completion of the course.
Register online for this free webinar, which will take place on Thursday, November 7, 1:00-2:00 PM. This webinar is offered with simultaneous interpretation in Spanish.
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Child Care Information Sessions - November 21st
Child Care Information Session for licensed child care providers. Registration is required and space is limited.
Date: Thursday, November 21, 2024
Times: 6:00-7:00 pm (English)
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Scholarship Open Office Hours - November 19th
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.
12:00-1:00 PM
(Click here to see all dates through December 2025.)
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Faith-Based Child Care Programs: Join Us for a Push to Pre-K Session
Push to Pre-K will hold an introductory information session for child care providers in faith-based programs. Attend and learn a brief overview of the State Prekindergarten Expansion Grant and the application process. The Office of Early Learning and Instruction will provide responses to frequently asked questions.
- Thursday, November 7, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
The session will be recorded and available to view at pushtoprek.com. Previous information sessions are online now. Visit the website to find future session dates and the latest news from this initiative.
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Final Deadline Approaching: ENOUGH Grant Program
The deadline to apply for the funding opportunity from the Governor’s Office of Children (GOC) – the ENOUGH Grant Program – is approaching. The ENOUGH (Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, Governments, and Households) Grant Program fights poverty and builds strong support systems, uniting sectors like education, health, workforce, housing, and safety.
The program is currently accepting applications for the Partnership Development Track. In this track, grantees will develop a formal partnership network to conduct a place-based initiative around a shared vision for their community’s success.
Applications are due November 1, 2024. Visit the GOC website or the ENOUGH Learning Hub for application support, including live and pre-recorded webinars.
Available Now: 2024 Basic Health and Safety Annual Update Training
The 2024 Annual Basic Health and Safety Update Training is available now on the MSDE CANVAS webpage. This training meets the regulations for the annual health and safety training, as required by the office, by the end of each 12-month period.
The training must be completed by all child care staff and family child care providers by December 31, 2024. All newly approved family child care providers and staff hired from October to December 2024 must complete the training by March 31, 2025. This training is also recommended for child care substitutes and volunteers.
The training qualifies for Core of Knowledge/Hours: Health, Safety, and Nutrition/1.5, and it is a 90-minute training. Upon successful completion of the training, the system will produce a “Certificate of Participation.” Please download and save the certificate to email to your licensing specialist.
Check out this flyer to learn how to access the Basic Health and Safety Annual Update. You can also find the training using the below link.
Upcoming Regulation Amendments from the Administration for Children & Families
The U.S. Administration for Children & Families (ACF) has several regulation amendments coming soon that are relevant to the child care community. Please take note of the following upcoming program changes:
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Outdoor, Nature-Based Child Care License Pilot Program: Scheduled for public comment November 1, 2024 – December 2024.
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Educational Programs in Nonpublic Nursery School: Awaiting confirmation, estimated December 13, 2024.
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Maryland Infant and Toddlers Program: Awaiting confirmation, estimated December 13, 2024.
More information can be found in the Small Compliance Guide and Amended Regulations available on the MSDE website.
Maryland EXCELS Marks Five Years of Supporting Military Families Through Military Child Care Program
This month, Maryland EXCELS celebrates the fifth anniversary of its partnership with the Department of Defense program, Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS (MCCYN-PLUS). The initiative offers assistance with child care costs to military families, enabling them to enroll their children in high-quality local early education programs. Read the new blog post from the Division of Early Childhood to learn details about this program.
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Follow the Division on Social Media
Find information and updates from Maryland EXCELS and the Division of Early Childhood by following us on our newly revamped social media accounts:
Facebook l Instagram l X
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Licensing Survey
This survey allows providers to share feedback about the customer service experience during the inspection. 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.
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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.
Missed a session? Check out previous recordings and presentations.
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Training/Professional Development |
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Celebrating 25 Years of Lights On Afterschool
October 24, 2024 marked the 25th anniversary of Lights On Afterschool. This event raises awareness of the importance of afterschool programs in the lives of children throughout the United States.
Review articles and resources about supporting out-of-school time programs in the National Center on Afterschool and Summer Enrichment (NCASE) Resource Library.
Learn more
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Low Cost Trainings with BCCCRC
Hello Early Childhood Professionals! Sign up today for one of our upcoming trainings by clicking on the link below.
10/30/24: Recognizing and Responding to Challenging Behaviors
11/6/24: Working with Mixed Age Groups
11/7/24: Once Upon a Storytime
11/12/24: Creating a Language Rich Environment
11/13/24: Take a Look in a Book
11/20/24: Positive Words for Positive Actions
Enroll here
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Free Training! Arts + SEL = Strong Classroom Management
Training Workshop by Story Tapestries - Saturday, November 9th in Rockville, 9:30 am-12:30 pm.
Jump-start your creative mind and body with new ideas for active engagement in all areas of development through the arts.
Register here
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NEW 16 COK Mariposa Education Advanced Course
The Sherman Family Foundation is funding Mariposa Education’s Promoting Social-Emotional Resilience Advanced Course: Applications in the Advanced Method (16 COK). Prerequisite: 2023/24 completion of Promoting Social-Emotional Resilience for Teachers. To be considered, please complete this application by Oct. 29th.
Apply here
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Inclusive Teacher Development Cohort
Project ACT is recruiting Maryland ECE professionals for a virtual cohort focused on building inclusive classrooms for children with disabilities. Receive the Cultivating Inclusion series, Facilitating Attuned Interactions training, Communities of Practice, and individualized coaching.
Info sessions: 11/4 & 11/6.
Register here
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Inquiry-Based Teaching and Learning Cohort Information Sessions – Registration Now Open
Register now for the Inquiry-Based Teaching and Learning series. Inquiry-based learning is an approach that encourages young children to explore, question, and discover the world around them through hands-on, engaging activities. This series is designed with small, self-paced courses and lessons.
Register for October 30th, 1:00-2:00 pm Info Session
Register here
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MECLP Fall Webinar Series
Join our Leadership in Early Childhood Education: Engaging Early Educators in Conversations for Equitable Change fall webinar series to explore critical topics in equity, diversity, and inclusion. Engage with experts, gain insights, and inspire change in your educational community. Register Today!
Register here
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MSFCCA Annual Conference
Please join us for the annual MSFCCA conference!
November 1 & 2 at Merriweather Lakehouse Hotel, Columbia, Maryland. Register online and visit the website to learn more.
Register here
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Maryland's Early Learning Standards Now Available Online
The standards are applicable across various early childhood settings, including family homes, schools, and centers.
To download a PDF version of the new standards, please visit: https://blueprint.marylandpublicschools.org/ece/.
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Earn COK Hours at Your Own Pace!
Unlock your potential with our self-study courses:
‣ Family/Teacher Conferences (3 COK hrs)
‣ Story Voices (2 COK hrs)
‣ Science Through the Eyes of Play (3 COK hrs)
‣ Math Comes Alive When It's Brain-Driven (3 COK hrs)
Enroll Today!
Enroll here
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Maryland EXCELS Seeks Programs to Photograph
Does your program participate in Maryland EXCELS? Would you like to show off your learning environment and staff?
Please fill out this form to volunteer to have your program photographed for Maryland EXCELS social media and publications. An Outreach Specialist will follow up to arrange details with selected programs.
Review the form
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Learn how to submit to Tuesday Tidbits.
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