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For those who work with children or on behalf of them, 2011 has been a mixed year, so there will be a lot of regrouping in 2012. We should be happy about the progress in Albany as the Early Childhood Advisory Committee (ECAC) breaks down silos among government agencies and develops new initiatives. Federally, we now have the first Office of Early Learning in the U.S. Department of Education. WinningBeginningNY is restructuring to have stronger regional ties.
At the same time, child care programs in both counties are suffering from either cuts in the subsidy levels, requirements for parents to pay a bigger share of the costs or a computer glitch that has left too many subsidized programs without payment and on the brink of closing.
Finally, we received the biggest lump of coal from the feds today that New York did not receive the Early Learning Challenge Grant which would have given us $100 million for the implementation of QualitystarsNY and other infrastructure improvements. As Bob Frawley, chair of the ECAC commented, "This is just a slight step back. We will begin on our path forward immediately." Jenn O'Connor from WBNY commented, "We are urging policymakers to build on the progress made during the grant application process and commit to developing, implementing, and funding a true early care and learning system for the state's youngest learners." I guess we have our work cut out for us in 2012.--Dana Friedman, president, The Early Years Institute
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More Holiday Gift ideas...from EYI | |
With the holidays approaching, EYI recommends selecting open-ended, multi-purpose toys for children. These toys allow children to learn through play. For more information about open-ended toys, take a look at our Play Posters - click here http://bit.ly/sgZd2P.
You can also read more at on Holiday Gift ideas in http://liparentonline.com/features2.html or http://plainview.patch.com/articles/the-best-toys-for-the-holiday-season.
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LINCK's 1st Annual 2011 Summit... | |
It was an exciting day at the Sands Point Preserve on Thursday, December 8, 2011 for the Long Island Nature Collaborative for Kids (LINCK) which held its first annual LINCK Outdoor Classroom Summit. Patricia Manzi, Director of LINCK, a project of The Early Years Institute, gathered folks from organizations that had completed outdoor nature explore classrooms to share lessons learned in the process of developing them. The room was buzzing with shared ideas, concepts and photos of their outdoor classrooms. They learned about helpful landscapers, tree companies and other vendors who can assist in reducing our carbon footprint by securing materials directly from Long Island. "It was a great opportunity for outdoor classroom stakeholders to network and reflect on their accomplishments," said Patricia Manzi, Director of LINCK.
Outdoor classrooms are all-natural, dynamic, learning environments where young children build and hone valuable developmental skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. According to Jean-Marie Posner, Vice-Chair of the Friends of the Sands Point Preserve, "Encouraging children to appreciate nature and enjoy being outdoors is an important part of their learning experience. Outdoor classrooms have no walls to confine their imaginations or their opportunities to learn."
LINCK has helped inspire 19 outdoor nature explore classrooms and 11 more in the planning stages. Each outdoor classroom on Long Island is customized to the program and community. Five of the outdoor classrooms are open to the public and the others are in schools or early childhood centers.
Click here to learn more about LINCK |
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EYI Community Cafes- conversations that matter! |
Community cafes are parent-hosted gatherings where parents, grandparents and other caregivers participate in a series of guided conversations. These conversations work to build community wisdom and parent voice to impact policies, practices and actions that will improve the lives of children and their families. The Early Years Institute is excited to be developing these cafes throughout Westbury and will be providing an all day orientation in January with Robin Higa, a national leader in developing Community Cafes throughout the country.
For more information, please contact Colleen Multari, Director of Early Learning, at CMultari@eyi.org |
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SAVE THE DATE...
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2012
Centereach Middle Country Public Library | |
SYMPOSIUM on IMMIGRATION on LONG ISLAND
Organized by Witness for Peace's
Long Island Delegation to Oaxaca, Mexico
Learn the facts about immigration on Long Island and take action!
Speaker Panelists
Sergio Argueta, Director of Undergraduate Programs at Adelphi
Pat Young, Program Director at CARECEN
Yanira Chacón-Lopez, Director of Casa Mary - Saint Brigid's Parish
David Dyssegaard Kallick, Fiscal Policy Institute, author of "New Americans on Long Island: A Vital Sixth of the Economy" |
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The Early Years Institute wishes you and your family a wonderful Holiday Season! | |
We find delight in the beauty and happiness of children that makes the heart too big for the body.
Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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Through your generosity, EYI improves early learning
opportunities for all children in our region to help them achieve success in school and life.
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EYI on the Web | |
Visit our website at
www.eyi.org
Join EYI on Facebook
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Check out our favorite
videos on YouTube
Read EYI's blog
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Many Thanks to EYI Funders | |
Bank of America
Hagedorn Foundation
Levitt Foundation
Long Island Community Foundation
Motorola Solutions Foundation
Pritchard Charitable Trust
Rauch Foundation
Sandy River Charitable Foundation
United Way of Long Island
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Please visit | |
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| Contact Us | |
The Early Years Institute One Dupont Street
Suite 101
Plainview, NY 11803
516.304.5480
516.304.5484 (fax)
info@eyi.org
www.eyi.org
 
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