|
|
|
 The Compass
Pointing the Way to the Stars |
|
|
NC Division of Child Development
& Early Education |
Summer 2012
|
|
|
|
|
 From the Director's Desk
Dear Early Education Partners,
We hope that you are having a wonderful summer! There is a lot of information to share with you in this edition, and here are a few items I'd like to highlight:
A short video from The First Five Years Fund reminds us of the huge impact good early education has on our society and our economy.
You'll learn about the Promoting Healthy Social Behaviors initiative, a project that DCDEE has been supporting since 2005 in partnership with the North Carolina Child Care Resource and Referral system. We've included links to absolutely wonderful resources developed by this project.
Except for recent 100+ degree days, summer is when children spend a lot of time outside, and we've included an article about the world of outdoor learning. You'll enjoy the personal story from one of our staff about embracing environments that truly allow children to play in nature and recalling those moments from her own childhood.
We have multiple articles about keeping children safe from risks that come with summer weather and aquatic activities. Follow the links to find great sources of information and strategies for protecting children. Your staff, parents, partners and friends can use many of these tips with family as well, so be sure to share them.
Encouraging and supporting breastfeeding in child care facilities has been the focus of recent child care requirements. These are described in an article that also supplies tips and strategies to make it easy for child care practitioners to comply with new rules and introduces other supports and resources.
In Ask DCDEE we share Frequently Asked Questions that have come our way about submitting the documentation for Criminal Record Checks.
Look for an update on our initiatives to promote cultural and linguistic competence in our state's early care and education community.
We're always open to new ideas for this newsletter, so please send your suggestions.
Happy reading!
Deborah Cassidy, PhD
|
|
|
Early Education and Child Care MATTERS
The First Five Years of Life Fund has made a compelling video, chock full of reminders about why early education matters so much . . . to children, to families, to communities and to society. It's a quick refresher and a great way to share a critical message.
 | | Early Learning Matters |
Back to top |
|
Promoting Healthy Social Behaviors in Child Care Centers
Have you ever been frustrated by children's behaviors and nothing you tried seemed to work? Have you ever wished you understood what caused those challenging behaviors and could figure out how to stop them from happening in your classroom? The Division of Child Development and Early Education has been supporting
an initiative with the North Carolina Child Care Resource and Referral system to address these issues. The result - Promoting Healthy Social Behaviors in Child Care Centers - is here to help!
The Healthy Social Behaviors model stresses the importance of promoting the social-emotional health of each child in care and preventing challenging behaviors through developing positive, supportive relationships with children and families, carefully designing environments that are predictable and engaging, and actively teaching children the social and emotional skills required to get along with classmates and ultimately be successful in life. Read more about the specialists, the training, the model, and the impact it's having on children, teachers, and classrooms. Here are links to many wonderful resources from this project: |
|
Let's Go Play Outside!
In 2010 the Division of Child Development and Early  Education (DCDEE) formed a partnership with the Natural Learning Initiative (NLI)
at NC State University. We created a specialized professional network of DCDEE Regulatory Consultants and Environment Rating Scale Assessors from the NC Rated License Assessment Project (NCRLAP), to facilitate the implementation and use of naturalized outdoor learning environments in child care programs.
This partnership has produced a multitude of outstanding resources that address childhood obesity and support early childhood professionals in developing high quality outdoor environments for play and learning. Check out these and other terrific resources on the NLI website:
- DCDEE-sponsored Information Sheets highlight specific aspects of landscape design or design programming.
- The Green Desk has ongoing new posts on special topics.
- Shape NC, a three-year project administered by Smart Start, is expected to reach thousands of preschoolers in a state where more than one-third of children two to four years of age are considered at risk for be
 coming obese. -
For a first-hand look at how this work has changed
mindsets and practices from a licensing perspective,
read How I Became an Outdoor Learning Cheerleader
by Debbie Parrish.
Back to top |
|
Highlighting Healthy Early Care and Education
December 2012 is not far off, when all cribs used in child care facilities must meet the new federal safety standards. The American Academy of Pediatrics has crib regulation details, frequently asked questions, and other resources to assist providers.
On the subject of cribs, have you seen the new safe sleep publication from the National Health and Safety Resource Center? It compiles the many standards from Caring For Our Children addressing safe sleep and reducing the risk of SIDS.
Finally, don't forget to regularly check the Healthy Child Care Standard of the Month for tips about best practice and practical ideas from your peers. July's tip is about Availability of Drinking Water for children in care. You'll enjoy the creative ideas in the Learn From Your Peers section.
Back to top |
|
Be on the Safe Side
SPLISH! SPLASH!
Summer brings the sound of children's laughter as they take a dip in the pool. It can also bring disaster if children are not supervised properly during aquatic activities. Did you know that drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1-14 years?
Unfortunately, reports of children who are not adequately supervised during aquatic activities are investigated each year by the Division of Child Development and Early Education. Some incidents over the past few years have ended tragically. Children can drown very quickly . . . and silently. Prevention is the key.
To test your knowledge of some of the requirements for child care centers regarding aquatic activities, take this short quiz.
These resources will help you keep children safe during your next aquatic adventure:
In each issue, Be On The Safe Side describes typical situations that could result in harm to children - some obvious, others less so - and offers resources you can use to protect children and avoid the potential risks.
Back to top |
BREASTFEEDING: Meeting the needs of breastfeeding mothers
 You've probably heard it said that "Breastfeeding is best." But do
you know why breastfeeding is the recommended feeding practice
for infants? Here are some important reasons to breastfeed:
- Breastfeeding supports optimal growth and development of infants.
- It decreases the possibility that babies will get a variety of infectious diseases, ear infections, diarrhea, and some forms of cancer.
- Breastfed infants have a lower incidence of sudden infant death syndrome.
- Breastfed infants have a lower risk of obesity in childhood and in adolescence.
North Carolina developed child care requirements for all child care facilities (centers and family child care homes) to provide accommodations for breastfeeding mothers. These include seating and an electrical outlet in a place other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view by staff and the public, which may be used by mothers while they are breastfeeding or expressing milk. Read more about DCDEE's efforts to support breastfeeding mothersin child care facilities. This article also describes the state-wide support and education offered by the North Carolina Division of Public Health, awards for breastfeeding-friendly businesses, and additional resources.
For tips on how your child care facility can encourage and support breastfeeding, read 10 Ways Child Care Programs Can Support Breastfeeding. Additionally, child care providers are encouraged to seek training on safe and proper storage and handling of human milk and the importance of breastfeeding. You can find helpful information by reading How to Handle Pumped Milk. These two handouts can also be found in Chapter 9-Nutrition of the Child Care Center Handbook or Chapter 3-Health in Section 4 on Nutrition in the Family Child Care Home Handbook.
Back to top
|
Resources for Seasonal Safety
Summer time is here and more outdoor activities also bring more safety concerns. Sun exposure, insects, hot cars - in addition to the aquatic activities we've talked about - all bring potential dangers. A few good sources for safety tips are the American Academy of Pediatrics and Safe Kids NC.
In North Carolina, hot and humid days can reduce the air quality for outdoor activities. The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources produces daily air quality forecasts.
Hurricane season began on June 1 and lasts until November 30. Emergency Preparedness is key for business and families during this time. The Division of Emergency Management has a wealth of information on preparedness. In particular, check out ReadyNC.org, their Kids Page, and Hurricanes.
|
|
Ask DCDEE
Frequently Asked Questions about Criminal Record Checks
Q: What do I send in for a new applicant?
A: 1. A completed, signed brown bubble sheet (DHHS-004). Call DCDEE at 919-773-2856 to request this form.
2. A local background check, not older than 90 days, from the clerk of courts of the county in which the applicant resides.
3. A completed, signed finger print card supplied by the law enforcement agency OR if the prints were sent electronically we will need an electronic release form along with the applicant form. If an applicant has been qualified at another facility and the decision date was less than a year ago, fingerprints are not needed.
Q: Where do I get the electronic release form and the applicant form?
A: Go to the Division of Child Development and Early Education website: www.ncchildcare.net. On the left side of the page, click on DHHS Criminal Record Checks, then click on Child Care to find Child Care Electronic Prints Forms 1 and 2.
Q: What is needed for a 3 year recheck?
A: You just need to send in a brown bubble sheet (DHHS-004). Call DCDEE at 919-773-2856 to request this form.
|
|
Cultural Competence Corner
El Futuro De Nuestros Niņos Hispanos is a major initiative at DCDEE addressing linguistic competence.
Linguistic competence is the capacity of an organization and its personnel to communicate effectively and convey information in a manner that is easily understood by diverse audiences.
This committtee, chaired by Tasha Owens-Green, has been working diligently on policies and procedures that address Limited English Proficient (LEP) children, families, providers and partners. Recent steps include adding a Spanish language interpreter to the Director's Office, a DCDEE phone greeting in Spanish, and an updated summary of the child care law posted on the DCDEE Espaņol web page .
Back to top |
Parting Thoughts
"We still haven't found the will to ensure that all our children, especially the most vulnerable, have the early childhood opportunities they need. We owe our young children better. The gap between the rhetoric and the reality is stunning given the research, the support of our top economists, and the growing understanding of the importance of our children's earliest years not only
for school success, but for our nation's economic success."
Helen Blank, National Women's Law Center
at Wheelock College, Boston, May 24, 2012
Read her full speech that includes an overview of strategies planned by states (including North Carolina) that won Early Learning Challenge Grants in the Race To The Top.
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
