Provider Appreciation Day is May 9th. This is a special day to recognize the tireless efforts of child care providers, teachers and other educators of young children everywhere. The economic impact of the child care sector, on the national economy is significant. According to data from the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, there are at least 2.8 million people who earn their money by teaching and caring for young children or by working in directly related jobs. As the demand for child care continues to increase, so does the importance of the role of those caring for and teaching our children.

Today's child care professionals are the world's unsung heroes. This profession is one of the most underpaid occupations in the country; yet research continues to demonstrate that early childhood is the most critical developmental period in a child's life. Early Childhood teachers are talented individuals, offering loving care and purposeful education to our youngest citizens. Early Childhood teachers must be skilled in many areas and possess a great deal of patience and energy, not just anyone can do this difficult job. The contribution the early childhood workforce makes to the quality of life for children and families too frequently goes unnoticed. Provider Appreciation Day offers a unique opportunity to recognize and commend the unselfish dedication, commitment and compassion that child care providers demonstrate every day.

The Early Care and Education Staff at the Phelps County Community Partnership would like to salute all the providers in our area and thank you for all your hard work, enthusiasm and dedication to the young children and families you serve!

Contents of article adapted from National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies

Are you a Registered Vendor providing childcare?

Are you interested in getting your state license?
Would you like to have monthly visits from an Early Care and Education Specialist?

Call Kathy Edwards, Director, Early Care and Education at Phelps County Community Partnership to find out how the ECE staff can assist you in taking this step. (573) 368-2849 or toll-free 1-888-541-4636

Visit our website at www.thecommunitypartnership.org and click on “Our Programs” and choose “Early Care and Education”.

Screenings for children 6 months - Kindergarten entry will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 803 North Main Street, on Wednesdays, once a month. Children under the age of three will be screened in the morning and children three and above will be screened in the afternoon. All screenings are by appointment. To make an appointment, call the PAT Office, 458-0193. Screening dates are:

Parents As Teachers
Rolla Public Schools
500A Forum Drive, Rolla, MO 65401
Phone: 573-458-0193 Fax: 573-458-0194

Child Care Orientation Training (CCOT)

Developed by the Department of Health and Senior Services with input and assistance from experts across the state, CCOT curriculum focuses on the following three components:

CCOT: Developmentally Appropriate Practices I: Child Development,
CCOT: Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect, and
CCOT: Health, Environmental Safety, and Sanitation.

We strongly encourage every child care professional to complete this 9 hours of training. Basic CCOT provides a wonderful opportunity for child care providers to gather the basic knowledge needed to keep children safe and healthy. Contact Child Care Resource & Referral at 1-800-743-8497 or www.moccrrn.org to find when it is offered in your area!

Current classes that Child Care Resource & Referral have scheduled:

Lockwood, United Methodist Church
1410 Main Street, Lockwood, Missouri

May 8th; 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Cost: $7.50
Basic CCOT - Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect

May 10th; 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $15.00
Basic CCOT - Developmentally Appropriate Practices and Health, Environmental Safety, and Sanitation.

Please call Child Care Resource & Referral at 1-800-743-8497 ext. 2 to register for any of these classes.

Week of the Young Child (WOYC), held April 13-19, is a time to recognize the needs of young children, and thank the adults involved in their education and care. Parents, teachers, caregivers and other adults play important roles in the lives of young children, and Week of the Young Child celebrates their efforts. The theme for Week of the Young Child 2008 (WOYC) is: Bring Communities Together for Children - Children Bring Communities Together.

We can show our support for early learning in our community by promoting early literacy programs, thanking teachers who care for our children, and working to ensure that our public policies support early learning for all young children.

Key Facts

Working families need child care and supportive employer policies to be able to meet the needs of their young children throughout the day.
Children, especially those from low-income families, need better access to high-quality early childhood programs.
Too many children in the United States live in poverty, without good nutrition and health care.

What Can Be Done?

Federal, state and local government, communities, parents, and the private sector must share in the responsibility of ensuring the well-being of children and families. We can and must do more to create opportunities that help all children and families succeed. We can invest now in our children and families and enjoy long-term savings, with a more vibrant nation of healthy, achieving children and more stable families. Or we can fail to make the investment and pay the price: increased delinquency, greater educational failures, lowered productivity, less economic competitiveness, and fewer adults prepared to be effective, loving parents to the next generation of children.

The Week of the Young Child is an opportunity for programs, NAEYC Affiliates, related organizations, communities, and states to focus on the needs of young children and their families. There are countless ways to celebrate the week, which is first and foremost a grassroots effort. Use the online Guide to WOYC Celebrations (www.naeyc.org/about/woyc) for suggested strategies for involving community partners, activity ideas, resources, and groups to contact.

Taken from the NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) website: http://naeyc.org/about/woyc/facts.asp. February 7, 2008.

Child Safety Seat Check-Up

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 4 out of 5 car seats are not installed correctly.

Participants attending the Child Safety Seat Check-Up Event will learn how to properly install and use car seats to transport their precious cargo.

When: 3rd Thursday of every month, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Where: The Centre, 1200 Holloway, Rolla

An appointment is necessary to have a car seat check. To schedule your appointment, call (573) 458-7696.

This event is brought to you by PCRMC.

Newsletter March/April 2008

Printable Version of Newsletter

Child Care Orientation Training (CCOT)