FAMILY PARTNERSHIPS, PART 1 OF 3

Child Care Aware NEWS

by Jennifer Hecker, Child Care Aware of Kansas

August 2013

A Publication for Child Care Professionals

rearing philosophy and educational goals.

Engaging Families
OVERVIEW

4 1

3 2

Parent engagementfamily partnershipsparent-teacher connectednessno matter how you refer to it, there is no denying what research tells us: that children are more likely to be successful learners when families work together with their child care provider to support childrens growth and development. According to Dr. Joyce Epstein, Director of the Center on School, Family, and Community Partnerships at Johns Hopkins University, family engagement typically includes six basic categories: 1) Parenting creating a home environment that supports the childs healthy growth and development. 2) Communicating sharing information about the childs progress, significant events, interests, the parents and providers child-

3) Participating/ Volunteering taking part in classroom and program activities as a member of the early learning program. 4) Home Learning providing activities to stimulate childrens learning and development. 5) Leadership/Decision Making advocating and providing guidance on issues that affect the parents child or children in the early learning program. 6) Community Involvement taking part in group and activities using community resources, or taking an active role as a community member. (adapted from On Parents and Schools: A Conversation with Joyce Epstein, Educational Leadership, 1989)

Service Delivery Areas Four Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (CCR&Rs), located across Kansas, provide services to all 105 counties. Together, we offer many services for families, child care providers and community members. Our referral center makes finding quality child care programs quick and easy for parents and families. For child care providers and early learning staff, professional development opportunities and resources are available. For local communities, supply and demand data paints the picture about child care. These are just a few of our many services for more details about all of the work we do, please contact your local CCR&R. REGION ONE Service Centers: Salina, Hays, Garden City Toll free 855-750-3343 www.ks.childcareaware.org/one.html

Categories 1 & 2 of family engagement are explored in this issue. Stay tuned for more information in the September/October issue, covering categories 3 & 4, and the November/ December issue, covering categories 5 & 6.

REGION TWO Service Center: Wichita Toll free 800-279-2372 www.ks.childcareaware.org/two.html

REGION THREE Service Centers: Topeka, Lawrence, Pittsburg Toll free 877-678-2548 www.ks.childcareaware.org/three.html

REGION FOUR Service Center: Kansas City Toll free 800-755-0838 www.ks.childcareaware.org/four.html

Get Creative When Connecting with Parents

by Kami Cohorst, Child Care Aware of Kansas

Child Care Aware of Kansas is Reorganizing!

We would like to inform you, a valued customer of our services, that the Kansas Child Care Resource and Referral Network is undergoing some changes. You may notice a change in your service provider, however we are confident that this change will not disrupt efforts to support your desire to provide high-quality care for the children you serve. You can find contact information for your local CCR&R service provider on the front page of this newsletter. We look forward to continuing our work together!

HIGHLIGHT

Strengthening Families through Early Care & Education (from the Center for the Study of Social Policy) goes the extra mile to describe parent engagement as a way to build protective factors that guard against child abuse and neglect. However, it should be noted that protective factors are positive attributes for all families, not just those at risk (Strengthening Families: A Guidebook for Early Childhood Programs, 2008). These protective factors include: Parental resilience Social connections Knowledge of parenting and child development Concrete support in times of needs Healthy social and emotional development of children Assess how well-informed families are about what your early learning program offers, by asking them informally at pick-up and drop-off time. (For example: Do you know about our parent resource library in the alcove? Have you seen our scrapbook of our trip to the garden center?). Consider new ways to publicize family activities by posting Fun Facts in the parent information area. Hold a parent meeting or interview parents about their perceptions of family engagement. Make sure that new families know about ways they can be involved in the program and partner them up with a parent buddy who can encourage them to participate. No matter what you do, just remember be creative when engaging families!

National Immunization Awareness Month

The goal of National Immunization Awareness Month, August, is to increase awareness about immunizations across the life span, from infants to the elderly. August is the perfect time to remind family, friends, co-workers, and those in the community to catch up on their vaccinations. Parents are enrolling their children in child care or school, students are entering college, and health care workers are preparing for the upcoming flu season. Immunizations are one of the most effective ways to protect children and adults against many common infectious diseases. Keeping individuals healthier through immunizations results in lower associated social and financial costs for families, including time lost from school and work, as well as the expense for medical bills. Recommended vaccinations begin soon after birth and continue throughout life. Its important to get the right vaccines in the right doses at the right times.
Adapted from: National Immunization Awareness Month Materials by the Centers for Disease Control. For more information about what immunizations are required for school and child care in Kansas, visit: http://www.kdheks.gov/immunize/schoolInfo.htm

BOOK NOOK
From Parents to Partners Building a Family-Centered Early Childhood Program
by Janis Keyser

Parent partnerships are an essential factor in every successful early childhood program. Effective communication is the key to developing and sustaining a family-centered model that fosters thriving relationships with the most significant people in the lives

r u o Y g n i t Suppor s e i l i m a F e Child Car

BEST ur creative r parents. Yo fo r ne rt pa PRACTICE d an t s or nt re pp with a pa portant su up im g in an IN ACTION e nc ar sy s ild e ch ent by ogram rtunity for th Child care pr ilds developm po ch op a e t th or to ce pp re du st su from child ca istency will re efforts can be the transition nsuring cons E d how you se . an ea e d yl ce ti an st ac ns ng rrent pr pectatio parenti cu ex ur t yo en er on ff t di by help you reflec to be confused mmunication. ion below can at rm fo in ronment of co vi he en an er home. T st fo rents style to support a pa e children efforts to guid ve ti si at home po s PARENTING nt do activities force pare to s in nt re re at pa th e ps ho that encourag Host works lending library a a vi s ce ur Provide reso velopment their childs de t or pp su at th eir childs s discussing th nt re pa h G it IN w T e COMMUNICA time one on on nces spend re fe ard so on C t en information bo Host Par nt re pa a on skills ral location abilities and ation in a cent rm fo in ul ef us ur times ant, them with yo p and drop-off Keep import -u ck pi at to familiarize se s c. ow es et br , oc n m pr ca ra n s io og parent care pr ild nt orientat ch re ur pa e yo iv r at fo ear, inform pment, goals Develop a cl of child develo e dg house event le ow kn ilies at an open m fa environment, r hether they he ot t em choose w s to mee th nt t re le d pa r an fo s e nt re Offer a tim options for pa mmunication the day co e child l ng ri ra du ve se ge times, what th xt messa st Provide te re , or es ll ti ca vi ti e e ac phon s log includ prefer email, a written clas h it w y da e t th w much, etc. Share abou t l times and ho ea m on enrollmen ng ri du ate each parent up to ok bo nd care parent ha in your child Provide your engagement ily your m re fa ha er S st t time? ing to fo rs fi do e y th ad r re fo al y u tr es are yo would like to them too! Which strategi s worked for gies that you te ha t ra st ha w e t er ou th program? Are peers and find group of your a h it w ts gh insi

of children in the child care setting. With effective communication as its theme, From Parent to Partner explores the reasons and basis for developing ongoing partnerships with parents and families of children in childcare settings and provides the tools and strategies to build the support network within which these partnerships thrive.

Partnering with Families: Winning Ways for Early Childhood Professionals

by Gigi Schweikert

Strong family partnerships create a better environment for children to learn and grow. This resource addresses the realities of working with families and provides effective steps to help you initiate and maintain efforts as you build mutually respectful relationships in your program. Filled with self-assessments, tips, sample letters and forms, and reflection questions to optimize your knowledge, this book will help you collaborate with families to provide better care for children and their parents.

The Angry Parent

In Practical Solutions to Practically Every Problem, Steffen Saifer provides this advice on how to deal with an angry parent: When confronted with an irate parent, regardless of the cause, just listen at first. Dont defend yourself, even if the parent is clearly misguided or misinformed. Remember that challenging the person only fuels the fire of anger. Listen intently and sympathetically. Apologize. Even if the problem was not your fault, you can apologize for the anguish that the misunderstanding caused.... In many cases this is all the parent is looking for. Tell the parent that you will do what you can to ease her concern. If you need more information or advice about the problem, tell her what you will do and when you will get back to her. When the immediate anger has cooled, you may be able to offer an explanation or rationale your side of the story. Be aware, however, that some people are not interested in reason. If this is the case, empathize with their concern and say what you have done to make sure this problem will not happen again.
Reprinted with permission from ExchangeEveryDay newsletter, www.childcareexchange.com

Kansas Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies d/b/a

NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID
TOPEKA, KS PERMIT NO. 9

PO Box 2294, Salina, KS 67401

Stay Cool with Refreshing New Meal Ideas

Salad goes great with any kind of meal. Its a perfect side dish for a warm summer evening. This salad has every shade of green and some unusual tastes that kids will love.

NUTRITION NEWS

Every Shade of Green Salad

Ingredients

We Love Success Stories!

This success story came to us from Southeast Kansas: During a recent class, one of the attendees was a parent who served as a substitute for her child care provider. When asked to introduce herself and tell why she chose this particular class, the parent introduced herself and started to tell the others all about the help I have given her provider on room arrangement. She said it made such a difference in the toddlers behaviors, which had become a problem. The parent shared that she was impressed with the services that Child Care Aware offered. Want to see your success story featured in a future issue of Child Care Aware NEWS? Send your story to us in an email to marketing@ks.childcareaware.org or share it with your local Child Care Resource & Referral office.

1 head romaine lettuce, washed and torn 1 bunch baby spinach, washed and torn 1 small cucumber, scrubbed and diced 12 cup green beans 14 cup diced celery 12 avocado, diced 16 seedless green grapes, halved 14 cup ranch dressing Directions:

Put the lettuce, spinach, cucumber, green beans, celery, avocado and grapes in the salad bowl and toss well. Add the ranch dressing and toss again. Serve right away.
Source: Chop Chop, the Fun Cooking Magazine for Families http://www.chopchopmag.org/recipes/every-shade-green-salad

INFORMATION FROM CHILD CARE AWARE REGION TWO

A program of Child Start, Inc. 1002 S. Oliver Wichita, KS 67218 682-3962 or Toll free 800-684-3962 www.childstart.org
Counties Served: Butler, Cowley, Harvey, Sedgwick and Sumner

Staff Directory
CHERYL DUNN Program Director, CCR&R MARILEE HANEY Senior Manager, Special Projects SHIRLEY LEWIS Early Childhood Wellness Specialist LISA ROLAND Quality Outreach Specialist RENEE BARRETT Quality Outreach Specialist KIMBERLY GARCIA Early Childhood Specalist MELISSA BUCHE Data Specialist CANDACE MALONE Data Clerk AMITAI DELGADO Program Management Assistant

Wage & Hour Regulations

We wanted to bring to your attention an important reminder about staff and training requirements. Federal wage and hour law states that for required trainings (both initial and annual), employers must pay for the cost of the training as well as the time the staff person is at the training. We recently had a federal employee come to the office to investigate a specific instance where this law may have been violated. It is in your best interest to ensure you are keeping up with the law whether it is child care licensing, city, state or federal. In addition, it is also important to keep good records in case an employee ever files a claim. If you have a large staff, the cost can add up quickly for training. Child Start offers a Professional Membership that can help reduce those costs by up to 50%. Look in this newsletter issue for more information about this cost-saving program. Also, dont forget, you can call Child Start at 316-682-1853 with any questions you may have. If we do not have the answers we can direct you to the resource that does!

Winners!
Thank you for returning your profiles and completing training follow-up surveys! As promised, we are awarding Amazon.com gift certificates to randomly selected winners on a regular basis! Below are just a few of the recent winners! Please continue to update your profile and provide feedback through our surveys you could be the next winner! West Heights United Methodist Preschool Sunny Days Child Care Hollie R. Stacy P. Caren R.

INFORMATION FROM CHILD CARE AWARE REGION TWO

Professional Development Listing

Health and Safety Initial Professional Development Module
Childrens safety is our number one priority as child care providers. This module includes the basic training that is required and recommended by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. In this session, you will receive: * Safe Slumber: Creating a Safe Sleep Environment * Child Abuse Recognition & Reporting/Abusive Head Trauma * Basic Child Development 7/27/13 9:00 am 4:00 pm Child Start 8/12/13 9:00 am 4:00 pm Child Start

Safe Slumber
7/15/13 7:00 pm 9:00 pm Child Start 8/12/13 7:00 pm 9:00 pm Child Start

Child Abuse, Neglect & Head Trauma

7/8/13 7:00 pm 9:00 pm Child Start 7/16/13 7:00 pm 9:00 pm Child Start 8/12/13 7:00 pm 9:00 pm Child Start 8/20/13 7:00 pm 9:00 pm Child Start

Abusive Head Trauma

7/1/13 7:00 pm 8:00 pm Child Start 7/9/13 7:00 pm 8:00 pm Child Start 8/5/13 7:00 pm 8:00 pm Child Start 8/13/13 7:00 pm 8:00 pm Child Start

Basic Child Development

7/18/13 7:00 pm 9:00 pm Child Start 8/15/13 7:00 pm 9:00 pm Child Start

Pediatric First Aid

Not eligible for Child Start Membership Discount Call LifeSaver Learning at 683-2645 7/30/13 6:30 pm 9:30 pm Child Start 8/27/30 6:30 pm 9:30 pm Child Start

Signs & Symptoms of Childhood Illness

7/2/13 7:00 pm 8:00 pm Child Start 7/15/13 7:00 pm 8:00 pm Child Start 8/6/13 7:00 pm 8:00 pm Child Start 8/19/13 7:00 pm 8:00 pm Child Start

Adult, Child and Infant CPR/Choking, First Aid & Refresher

Not eligible for Child Start Membership Discount Call LifeSaver Learning at 683-2645 7/6/13 9:00 am 4:00 pm Child Start 7/20/13 9:00 am 4:00 pm Child Start 8/3/13 9:00 am 4:00 pm Child Start 8/17/13 9:00 am 4:00 pm Child Start 8/31/13 9:00 am 4:00 pm Child Start

Rock Solid Foundations

Building Social Emotional Foundations (Rock Solid Foundations) is a six hour training to provide the breadth of the CSEFEL Pyramid model of social-emotional development in infant/toddler and preschool children. Focus of this training will target building positive relationships, responsive environments and routines, enhancing emotional literacy, and building friendship and play skills in young children.

6/29/13 9:00 am 4:00 pm Butler County Butler County Community College 5000 Building th 715 E. 13 Street, Andover

INFORMATION FROM CHILD CARE AWARE REGION TWO Sedgwick County

Child Start
Child Care Aware Region Two 1002 S. Oliver Wichita, KS

Professional Development Events

Unless otherwise indicated, all trainings are $6.00/hour for Child Start Professional Membership holders. 1 hour event: $6.00 2 hour event: $12.00 6 hour event: $36.00 Membership holders save 40% off trainings. Non-members pay $10.00/hour. Reservations can be made by phone and mail. Payment is required for reservation. Arrive early! Doors lock at listed starting time!

To Make Reservations: Call and pay by credit card: 316-682-1853 In Person: Monday Friday 8am 4:30 pm Online: Only available to membership holders with pre-purchased hours By Mail: Child Start, 1002 S. Oliver, Wichita, KS 67218 **Please reserve by mail at least 1 week in advance. Include a separate piece of paper that details who will be attending what class and where.

INFORMATION FROM CHILD CARE AWARE REGION TWO

Needing to fill your vacancies?

Try the new enhancement to your Child Care Referral profile

Child Care Online!

Free to use and is attached to the referral parents receive!

Getting started is easy! Call or email Melissa Buche at mbuche@childstart.org!

Become a Professional Member!

Professional Membership
40% Discount on trainings* Notification of FREE trainings before nonmembers Discounts on Child Start Special Events** The ability to purchase bulk hours Access the Resource Library free of charge Discounts to on-site trainings Discounts on Lakeshore Learning materials*** Plus... save an additional 10% discount when purchasing 30 or more bulk hours!
*CPR and other special trainings may not be eligible for the 40% discount. **With valid e-mail address. ***By using special code provided with membership purchase.

Join other eary childhood teachers, business owners and leaders and say... I am a Professional!

Professional Membership holders receive:

All memberships expire July 31, 2014. Memberships are non-refundable. Unused training credits do not carry over to the next program year.

Professional Membership Form 2013-2014

Individual - $20.00
(Covers only 1 person) First Name, Last Name & Title Site Name (Required for Site Memberships) Site/Location Address

Individual + One - $35.00

(Covers only the 2 people listed)

Site 100 Membership - $60.00 Site 150 Membership - $85.00

(Covers all staff at one site. Only for sites that have a total licensing capacity of 100 or less)

Site/Location City Main Phone Number

Zip

(Covers all staff at one site. Only for sites that have a total licensing capacity between 101-199)

Site 200 Membership - $110.00

(Covers all staff at one site. Only for sites that have a total licensing capacity of 200 or more)

Email Address (required to get first notice of free events)

Where to find training:

Child Abuse, Basic Child Development, Abusive Head Trauma, Childhood Illness, Safe Slumber Other early childhood trainings Web: www.childstart.org/Outreach/prodev.html Phone: 316-682-1853 or 800-684-3962 CPR, Pediatric First Aid Web: www.lifesaverlearning.com Phone: 316-683-2645 Online trainings: Web: www.ks.childcareaware.org/provider_elearning.html Phone: 785-823-3343 A full listing of all of the above is located in the quarterly newsletter all licensed facilities receive. If you do not receive your own personal copy of the newsletter, provide us with your email address below!

On-site Training Are you a center that has multiple staff needing the same training? We can develop a training and bring it to you!
Other Services:
Free advertising! Just complete a profile and you are ready to be advertised to thousands of local parents searching for child care! Complete online at: http://bit.ly/referraL

Save the Date!

Growing With Children & Directors Chair 2014 Saturday, March 8, 2014 Central Community Church Wichita, KS 6 in-service hours! Network with hundreds of local providers Exhibitors, lunch and more!

Coaching & Support We have professionals ready to help you tackle any problems you face or to answer any questions you may have! Just call 316-682-1853! Materials We house a library full of resources including books, activity kits and more free to check out! We also have laminiating, copying and other services for a small fee.

Professional Membership Form 2013-2014

Individual + One Membership Purchasers Required Information about 2nd Membership
First & Last Name Title (Example: Owner, Director, Substitute, Teacher, etc.) Mailing Address Mailing City Email Address Daytime Phone Mailing Zip

Amount Enclosed:

Membership: $ Hour Cost: $ Total: $

Save time and money by pre-purchasing bulk hours! Number of Hours:
If purchasing 29 hours or less, cost is $6.00/hour If purchasing 30 hours or more, cost is $5.00/hour Bulk hours expire 6/30/2014

Pre-Purchased Hours:

Payment Method:

Money Order Check: # Credit Card

Credit Card Information:

Billing Zip: CCID:
(#s on back of card)

Card # Signature

Billing Address:
(Just the numbers)

VacancyUpdate
Comments:

Name:____________________________________________________________________________________ Address:__________________________________________________________________________________ County:_____________________City:_____________________Zip:_______License#:_______________ Phone:_________________Email:____________________________________________________________ Typeofcare:LicensedFCCGroupFCCChildCareCenterPreschool DoyouacceptSRS:YesNo Daysopen:MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday Times:________________________________________________________________

1upto1(Infant) 1upto2(toddler) Age2(toddler) Age3(preschool) Age4(preschool) Age5(schoolage) Age6&over(schoolage) Pleasecompleteandreturnto:ChildStart1002S.Oliver,Wichita,KS67218

UnderAge1(infant)

Age

Capacity

Vacancies

Enrolled

FAMILY FOCUS
Tips for Effective Communication with Your Children
from The Self-Aware Parent, by Cathy Cassani Adams

Child Care Providers Please copy this page and share with your families!

1.
WANT MORE?
Pick up this book today!

Make yourself a priority - Sounds like a paradox, but to be a good listener you need to take care of yourself. If you are running on empty and constantly overwhelmed with your own concerns (worries, commitments, stress) its hard to bew an effective listener. Taking care of YOU is the first step toward healthy communication with your kids.

2. 3.

Be a good listener - Demonstrate that you are really listening. Stop what you are doing (put down that phone!), make eye contact, and give your children the gift of your attention. Good listeners also let go of the constant need to fix. There are times when offering suggestions and lessons are valuable, but children also appreciate just being heard. Allow for feelings - Dont tell your children how to feel, just let them tell you how they feel. Understand that the full range of emotions is normal. Sometimes children get angry, sometimes they get sad. Expecting them to be happy and gracious at all times is unrealistic. Let them know that it is safe to turn to you if they are feeling strong emotions and offer them tools to deal with challenging feelings.

4.
THE SELF-AWARE PARENT by Cathy Cassani Adams Through a series of relatable essays, Cathy highlights the rich learning moments in our everyday experiences with children. She also tackles everyday parenting challenges such as tantrums, discipline, education, self care and finding balance.

Appreciate their experience - See questions, issues and events from a childs point of view. Parents often tell their children that something they say or feel is silly, unimportant or small, but remember the worldview of a young person - everything is new and big. Respect who they are right now and meet them where they are.

http://www.chicagoparent.com/community/theself-aware-parent/2010/april/tips-for-effectivecommunication-with-your-children

Do you know somebody interested in becoming a child care provider? Have them call their local Child Care Resource & Referral Agency at 1-855-750-3343 for more information!