Archive for early learning – Page 3

Early Learning Parents’ Pages for June 2021

Posted by
June 8, 2021
Filed Under early learning

Check out the following resources for parents from the Division of Early Learning for the month of June!

Click to Access Early Learning Parents’ Pages for June 2021

 

The Early Learning Coalition is the leading voice in six counties for child care. ELC works with many other local agencies to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. Their mission is achieved by leading projects that increase the quality and availability of child care professionals, and advocate child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families. To learn more about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and how we assist in ensuring quality child care for all families, visit us at www.elcnorthflorida.org.

Sponsorship by the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and the state of Florida, Division of Early Learning.

###

Early Learning Coalition of North Florida

May 2021 Volunteer Newsletter

Posted by
May 26, 2021
Filed Under early learning Volunteer

Check out the Volunteer Newsletter for May!

Click to Access the May 2021 Volunteer Newsletter

 

The Early Learning Coalition is the leading voice in six counties for child care. ELC works with many other local agencies to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. Their mission is achieved by leading projects that increase the quality and availability of child care professionals, and advocate child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families. To learn more about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and how we assist in ensuring quality child care for all families, visit us at www.elcnorthflorida.org.

Sponsorship by the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and the state of Florida, Division of Early Learning.

###

Early Learning Coalition of North Florida

[RELEASE] Early Learning Coalition Offers Assistance with Childcare

Posted by
Brighton Day Care
May 3, 2021
Filed Under COVID-19 early learning Media Release preschool providers

 

Brighton Day CareFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contact: 

Teresa Matheny

Chief of Programs

Episcopal Childrens Services

904-726-1500 Ext. 247 

Cell: 904-521-6803

[email protected]

 

Image/Caption: 

Brighton Day Care is one of many child care centers that offer services for children in North Florida. The Early Learning Coalition is accepting applications for funding for child care. Please visit www.ecs4kids.org/programs/school-readiness/ to apply. 

Full Resolution Photo Link: https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Brighton-Day-April-2021-Group-Photo.jpeg

 

Early Learning Coalition Offers Assistance with Childcare

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., May 2, 2021 – Florida, akin to much of the country, has been hit hard by the Covid pandemic, and some parents of young children are caught in a cycle of not being able to work because childcare is not available or is too expensive. The Early Learning Coalition of North Florida (ELC) can help parents find and afford childcare to help them return to work. Families who are in need of childcare are encouraged to contact the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida for both financial help and assistance in locating childcare. The ELC is partnering with Episcopal Children’s Services (ECS) to coordinate childcare services.  For more information, contact ECS at 904-726-1500, toll free 1-800-238-3463 or visit

www.ecs4kids.org/programs/school-readiness/.

 

The average cost for childcare in Florida is $8,400 a year. For parents hovering around the poverty level, this means that childcare is one of the factors preventing families from rising above the poverty level. Another issue is that finding childcare can be very difficult. Episcopal Children’s Services Chief of Programs Teresa Matheny explained how the ELC funding program works. 

 

“The ELC offers financial assistance to families making up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level,” said Matheny. “Once enrolled, the family can continue to receive services until they earn up to 85 percent of the Florida Median Income. In practical numbers, this means a family of three earning up to $32,580 a year is eligible for funding and can remain in the program until their income exceeds $53,601.” 

 

Currently, there are waivers in place that relax the requirements for applying services.  The waivers allow individuals who are unemployed and seeking work to apply as well as those that have had a reduction in their work hours to qualify for funding through the ELC. These waivers will expire at the end of June. 

 

Eligible families are charged a fee based on income and family size. They may be required to make up the difference between the ELC funding and the fees charged by the childcare provider.  Matheny described the financial obligation for a hypothetical parent in the ELC program. 

 

“While each preschool is different, an example of this situation would be that the parent is charged a parent fee of $5 per week. The ELC pays for $150 a week to the childcare provider. If the provider normally charges $175 a week, the parent may be asked to pay $30 a week, representing the $5 parent fee plus the $25 difference,” said Matheny. 

 

In addition to helping parents pay for childcare, ECS will help parents locate child care as well. Currently, ECS is able to get most waitlisted children into childcare within 30 days. 

 

The ELC provides child care assistance to families who meet certain income requirements and who are working or going back to school. This school readiness program is designed to increase a child’s chance of achieving future educational success. The ELC also administers and manages Florida’s FREE VPK (voluntary pre-kindergarten program for four-year-olds).  For more information about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and its other programs and services, please visit, www.elcnorthflorida.org or call 904-342-2267.

 

###

Sponsored by the State of Florida, Division of Early Learning.

 

ACF and CDC Work with States to Prioritize School Staff and Child Care Workers for COVID-19 Vaccine

Posted by
March 19, 2021
Filed Under early learning

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help teachers, school staff, and child care workers find where to access the COVID-19 vaccine through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.

More information and resources from CDC are available at their website for COVID-19 vaccines for teachers, school staff, and child care workers.

Spread the word!

 

The Early Learning Coalition is the leading voice in six counties for child care. ELC works with many other local agencies to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. Their mission is achieved by leading projects that increase the quality and availability of child care professionals, and advocate child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families. To learn more about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and how we assist in ensuring quality child care for all families, visit us at www.elcnorthflorida.org.

Sponsorship by the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and the state of Florida, Division of Early Learning.

###

Early Learning Coalition of North Florida

Early Learning Parents’ Pages for March 2021

Posted by
March 10, 2021
Filed Under early learning

Check out the following resources for parents from the Division of Early Learning for the month of March!

Click to Access Early Learning Parents’ Pages for March 2021

 

The Early Learning Coalition is the leading voice in six counties for child care. ELC works with many other local agencies to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. Their mission is achieved by leading projects that increase the quality and availability of child care professionals, and advocate child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families. To learn more about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and how we assist in ensuring quality child care for all families, visit us at www.elcnorthflorida.org.

Sponsorship by the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and the state of Florida, Division of Early Learning.

###

Early Learning Coalition of North Florida

Checklist of 16 Early Signs of Autism

Posted by
Filed Under early learning

Check out the following Checklist of 16 Early Signs of Autism.

Click here to access the document

 

The Early Learning Coalition is the leading voice in six counties for child care. ELC works with many other local agencies to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. Their mission is achieved by leading projects that increase the quality and availability of child care professionals, and advocate child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families. To learn more about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and how we assist in ensuring quality child care for all families, visit us at www.elcnorthflorida.org.

Sponsorship by the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and the state of Florida, Division of Early Learning.

###

Early Learning Coalition of North Florida

Early Learning Parents’ Pages for January 2021

Posted by
January 21, 2021
Filed Under early learning

Check out the following resources for parents from the Division of Early Learning for the month of January!

Click to Access Early Learning Parents’ Pages for January 2021

 

The Early Learning Coalition is the leading voice in six counties for child care. ELC works with many other local agencies to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. Their mission is achieved by leading projects that increase the quality and availability of child care professionals, and advocate child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families. To learn more about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and how we assist in ensuring quality child care for all families, visit us at www.elcnorthflorida.org.

Sponsorship by the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and the state of Florida, Division of Early Learning.

###

Early Learning Coalition of North Florida

[RELEASE] Coalition Announces Infant & Preschool Teachers of the Year Award Winners

Posted by
January 11, 2021
Filed Under early learning events Media Release preschool Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Learning Coalition Announces Infant & Preschool Teachers of the Year Award Winners

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., January 11, 2021 – Whether exceptional teachers are born or made is not the question. What matters is that by the time they make it into the classroom, they are filled with the necessary passion, drive, education and genuine love of teaching children that students need to succeed according to the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida.

 

This critical need for support of exceptional teachers is why the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida (ELC) presents its winners of the fifth annual Preschool Teacher of the Year Award. The goal of the six-countywide preschool teacher recognition award is to acknowledge the creativity and hard work of those who teach children at the most fundamental time in their lives. 2020, particularly, provided its own set of extra challenges for preschool teachers. This year’s winners are honored for rising to challenges and exceeding expectations. 

 

“These are the kind of teachers that children will remember for the rest of their lives,” says Dawn Bell, ELC CEO. Bell is the leader of this 19-year-old nonprofit organization and ELC works with their partner, Episcopal Children’s Services, to assure their providers have coaches, funds and volunteers for their learning environments. 

 

A new category was added in 2020 to highlight the efforts of teachers taking care of infants and toddlers. 

 

“These teachers so often get overlooked, but the foundation they set in their classrooms sets the groundwork for a child’s successful learning career,“ said Bell.

 

 The ELC announces Emily Muserallo is its 2020 Infant/Toddler teacher of the year. Emily is currently a teacher at the St. John Paul II Early Learning Center in Ponte Vedra, Fla. 

 

“Emily is one of the best teachers I have ever worked with,” said St. John Paul II Early Learning Center Director Kristen Conway. The children are thriving in her room under her calm, warm, disciplined and loving way. Artwork lines the classroom and she has taught her children their shapes, colors, and numbers, but also good manners and kindness for each other.” 

 

The 2020 Pre-K Teacher of the Year Award working with children ages 3-5 is Kelly Yeager, a VPK teacher at Baker County Pre-K/Kindergarten Center in Macclenny, Fla. According to her peers, Kelly is committed to excellence in every aspect of her profession and is constantly assessing her students through observation, anecdotal notes, formal assessments and conversations. She has been described as the epitome of an amazing childhood educator and creates a positive classroom climate for all her students. 

 

Both winners were surprised in December with prizes of flowers, candy, and balloons.  Emily and Kelly will be honored at the annual ELC Early Educators Conference being held January 16th at the Thrasher Horne Center in Orange Park. They will each receive a $500 cash prize from Kaplan Early Learning and Clay Electric, the 2020 Teacher of the Year sponsors. 

 Emily Muserallo accepting her 2020 Infant/Toddler teacher of the year award.

Link: https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Emily_Muserello_Group_Picture.jpg 

 

Kelly Yeager accepting her 2020 Pre-K Teacher of the Year Award working with children ages 3-5 award.

Link: https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Kelly_Yeager_Group_Photo_2.jpg 

Emily Muserallo holding her 2020 Infant/Toddler teacher of the year award.

Link: https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Picture_of_Emily_Muserello_alone_1-rotated.jpg 

 

The Early Learning Coalition is the leading voice in six counties for child care. ELC works with many other local agencies to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. Their mission is achieved by leading projects that increase the quality and availability of child care professionals, and advocate child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families. To learn more about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and how we assist in ensuring quality child care for all families, visit us at www.elcnorthflorida.org.

Sponsorship by the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and the state of Florida, Division of Early Learning.

 

###

Early Learning Coalition of North Florida

Florida Early Childhood Educator Training Stipend Available

Posted by
January 8, 2021
Filed Under early learning

The Division of Early Learning is excited to share that Florida Early Childhood Educators are eligible for a $75 stipend upon the successful completion of any of the following courses by June 30, 2021, or until the stipend funding is depleted. The maximum stipend an eligible participant can receive is $225. (3 courses/events x $75 = $225). Successful completion may include an end of course assessment or certificate of completion. All application and stipend forms are available here.

From Department of Children and Families: Child Care Training System – Cost $10 per course
• Trauma Informed Care for Child Care Professionals (5 hrs./.5 CEUs)
• Challenging Behaviors Awareness and Prevention (5 hrs./.5 CEUs)
• Supporting Children with Developmental Disabilities (5 hrs./.5 CEUs)
• Language and Vocabulary in the VPK Classroom (5 hrs./.5 CEUs) (5 hrs./.5 CEUs)
• Emergent Literacy for VPK Instructors (5 hrs./.5 CEUs)
• Early Literacy for Children Birth to Three (5 hrs./.5 CEUs)
• English Language Learners in the VPK Classroom (5 hrs./.5 CEUs)
• Implementing the Florida Standards in Infant and Toddler Classrooms: Birth Through Two Years (5 hrs./.5 CEUs)
• Integrating the Standards: Phonological Awareness (2 hrs./.2 CEUs)

From the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services: BEESS Portal – Cost: FREE
• Effective Teaching Practices for Students with Disabilities: Focusing on the Content Areas (20 in-service points)
• Inclusive Practices for the Developmentally Appropriate Pre-K Classroom (10 in-service points)

From the TEACH or DOE websites: Children’s Forum Portal or Florida DOE Education & Training
Cost: Contact College directly for cost.
• Infant/Toddler Specialization (12 credit hours)
• Early Childhood Inclusion Specialization (12 credit hours)
• Preschool Specialization (12 credit hours)

Through the Training Portal: FLAEYC Training – Cost: $95
Multi-Course Training (6 Course Bundle) Includes:
• What Early Childhood Professionals Need to Know about COVID-19
• Domestic Violence Issues and Awareness
• Behavioral and Mental Health Issues Related to Coronavirus
• Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting
• Reopening Your Program after the Coronavirus
• Food Safety Considerations for Early Childhood Programs During the Coronavirus (7.5 hrs/.75 CEUs)

Access available with a subscription to myTeachstone or by contacting your local ELC or Regional Facilitator – Cost: FREE
Teachstone will not award the in-service hours or certificate of completion until the participant completes all seven of the modules below.
• Language & Literacy: Asking Questions (1 hr. in-service points)
• Language & Literacy: Developing Vocabulary (1 hr. in-service points)
• Language & Literacy: Early Writing (1 hr. in-service points)
• Language & Literacy: Expressing Ideas (1 hr. in-service points)
• Language & Literacy: Knowledge of Print (1 hr. in-service points)
• Language & Literacy: Letter Recognition (1 hr. in-service points)
• Language & Literacy: Rhyming Words (1 hr. in-service points)

 

Questions & Answers (Q&A)

Q1: Do I need to take all 7 of the Teachstone classes and then submit the certification to get a stipend for the classes?
A: Yes. First, you must submit your application and supporting documentation. Second, you will need to complete all seven courses, submit your certification, and application for the stipend to receive a $75 stipend. You will be eligible for two additional $75 stipends, if you take two additional non-Teachstone courses included on the approved OEL Training Event/Courses for Early Childhood Educators Professional Development list.

Q2: I took many of the courses offered through the Department of Children and Families (DCF) before. May I retake the course and apply for a stipend?
A: No. The intent is to promote additional knowledge and skills and increase the number of hours of professional development of early childhood professionals in four topic areas—trauma informed care, infants and toddlers, dual language learners, emergent and early literacy, and serving children with special needs. As more courses related to those topic areas are identified, they will be added to the list of approved courses.

Q3: We have been working on plans to get more of our instructors in the Career Pathway registry. I understand that to qualify, they must meet the core training requirements listed in the Florida Early Learning and Afterschool Career Pathway document. Are there approved trainings on the PDG approved OEL Training Event/Courses for Early Childhood Educators Professional Development list for stipends that we could recommend to providers to meet the core training requirements?
A: Yes. Trauma Informed Care for Child Care Professionals (TICC) and Implementing the Florida Standards in Infant and Toddler Classrooms: Birth through Two Years.

Q4: Is there a reason why the other Core courses were not included? Could this be reconsidered? It would make sense to have the professional development efforts of PDG align with the Career Pathways.
A: We will take that into consideration for the PDG year 2 stipends. However, for the current stipends (year 1), the course choices for the stipends are aligned with PDG priorities as indicated in the answer to Q2.

Q5: Which courses on the PDG-approved OEL Training Event/Courses for Early Childhood Educators Professional Development list meet the criteria for the following? I would like to encourage my providers to take advantage of the PDG incentive to enter the Career Pathways.
   – Florida Early Learning Developmental Standards approved training
   – Florida Core Competencies for Early Educators
A: See answer to Q3. The course choices for the stipends are aligned with PDG priorities in the areas of trauma- informed care, infants and toddlers, dual language learners, emergent and early literacy, and serving children with special needs.

The Florida Early Childhood Educator Training Stipend Program is funded through the ESSA Preschool Development Grant – Birth through Five; funded by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children and Families award # 90TP0068-01, and matching funds from the Florida Department of Education/Division of Early Learning.

 

Sponsorship by the State of Florida, Division of Early Learning.

Early Educators Conference Registration

Posted by
December 7, 2020
Filed Under early learning

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER! 

Early Educators Conference 2018

This year our conference will be on Saturday, January 16th, 2021.

Download Conference Flyer Here

Thrasher-Horne Center in Orange Park, FL

Thrasher-Horne Center
283 College Drive
Orange Park, FL 32065

Key Note Speaker: Ron Schuali, M. Ed.

“The Empowered Educator: 3 Success Secrets to Terrific Teaching!”

Register through January 8, 2021 by visiting Our Eventbrite Link here.

CEU’s will be provided.

Contact Joan Whitson at [email protected] for more information.

 

Ron Shuali, M.Ed. has been called the “Messiah of the Mind.” His laughter filled keynotes, workshops and assemblies are always full of eye-opening experiences as audiences have multiple “Ah-Ha!” moments. Ron holds a Master of Education specializing in early childhood, is a best-selling author, motivational speaker, and most importantly…He is funny. His study of martial arts, yoga, reiki and improv creates hilarious and educational experiences.

Ron’s team of Yenseis teach children his award-winning Yogarate® program at many preschools including the preschool at the United Nations.

Everyone will receive a free copy of Ron’s book “Building the 21st Century Child”.

Sponsorship by the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and the state of Florida, Division of Early Learning.

Early Learning Coalition of North Florida

« Previous Page
Next Page »

This is a Widget Section

This section is widgetized. If you would like to add content to this section, you may do so by using the Widgets panel from within your WordPress Admin Dashboard. This Widget Section is called "red - Widget Bar - 1"

This is a Widget Section

This section is widgetized. If you would like to add content to this section, you may do so by using the Widgets panel from within your WordPress Admin Dashboard. This Widget Section is called "red - Widget Bar - 2"

This is a Widget Section

This section is widgetized. If you would like to add content to this section, you may do so by using the Widgets panel from within your WordPress Admin Dashboard. This Widget Section is called "red - Widget Bar - 3"