Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children
 promoting excellence in early childhood educationNAEYC

RIAEYC E-News, March 2010

a
Welcome to the New RIAEYC E-News
 
Friends & Colleagues,
 
Beginning this month, RIAEYC is offering its monthly E-News to the entire early childhood community in RI!
 
Previously, the RIAEYC E-News was directly sent to RIAEYC members only. Our members love to share and we soon received many requests to be added to our distribution list.
 
We're always looking for content and contributions, so please share your news and stories with us.
 
Enjoy the RIAEYC E-News!
 
~ The RIAEYC Governing Board
 
ps: Membership to NAEYC & RIAEYC is open to all, and includes many benefits, including a personal subscription to NAEYC's journal Young Children. To learn more, click here, or contact our Membership Chair, Courtney Read.
 
a
Rhode Island is Finalist in Race to the Top
 
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Education announced that Rhode Island is one of 15 states and the District of Columbia that will advance as finalists for phase 1 of the Race to the Top competition. Race to the Top is the $4.35 billion federal effort to re-shape America's educational system to better engage and prepare students for success.
 
The other phase 1 finalists are: Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
 
Winners for phase 1 will be chosen from among the 16 finalists and announced next month. The number of phase 1 winners will be determined by the strength of the finalists, but the Department expects "very few winners in phase 1".
 
Rode Island's proposal seeks approximately $125 million over four years to increase student achievement, close achievement gaps between student groups, increase the high-school graduation rate, and increase college enrollment. Read more about our application on the RI Department of Education website.
a
Local Programs Awarded NAEYC Accreditation
 
accred logoCongratulations...
 
 - A Safer Start Child University, Cranston
 - Slatersville Preschool, Woonsocket
 
Both programs recently received Accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
 
NAEYC Accreditation of Programs for Young Children is the mark of quality in early childhood education, with thousands of programs currently accredited nationwide.
 
NAEYC has developed two short videos (one for families, one for programs) outlining the benefits of NAEYC Accreditation. 
a
RI Kids Count 2010 Factbook to be Released April 12
 
The 16th annual Rhode Island Kids Count Factbook will be released at a policy breakfast on Monday, April 12 in Providence.
 
RIKC2010Keynote remarks will be offered by Bruce Lesley, President of First Focus, a bipartisan advocacy organization committed to making children and families a priority in federal policy and budget decisions.
 
This year, for the first time, the Factbook will include data on the number of BrightStars programs throughout the state. The Factbook has always included date and information on NAEYC Accredited programs.
 
For more information about the Factbook and/or the breakfast, visit the RI Kids Count website.
a
Still Time to Secure Your Spot at the 2010 Rhode Island Early Childhood Conference - Registrations Due April 8
 
Don't miss out on the 45th Anniversary of the Rhode Island Early Childhood Conference! The conference will be held May 7 and 8 at Bryant University.
 
This year's conference features a pre-conference day on Friday and an all-day Saturday conference packed with valuable workshops and seminars.
 
 
Looking forward to seeing you at the conference!
a
Food Bank, Washington Trust Hold Peanut Butter Drive
 
For the 10th year in a row, Washington Trust has organized the "PB Xpress," an effort to collect peanut butter for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.
 
foodbankTo mark its 10th Anniversary, the drive's goal is to collect 23 tons of this protein-rich product by the end of April, making it the biggest collection in "PB Xpress" history. Anyone can participate by dropping off peanut butter donations at local Washington Trust bank branches.
 
Organizers say the success of the campaign rests heavily on the involvement of schools, nonprofit organizations, and businesses. Visit www.peanutbutterbank.com for more information.
a
Resources for Families: Health & Special Needs
 
Top 10 Questions to Ask When Choosing a School for Your Child with Learning Differences. Read more at Kidoinfo.com
  
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  
 
Meeting Street is offering free, evening parent seminars, including:
  • Brothers, Sisters, and Special Needs, April 13
  • Understanding Early Childhood Developmental Milestones, April 27
  • Positive Behavioral Support for Children with Autism, May 11
  • How to Get Your Picky Eater to Eat, June 1
For more information, visit the Meeting Street event calendar or contact 533-9299 or lkiely@meetingstreet.org.
  
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  
 
The UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation (UHCCF) is seeking grant applications from families in need of financial assistance to pay for their child's health care treatments, services or equipment not covered by their commercial health insurance plans. Qualifying families could receive up to $5,000 to help pay for medical services and equipment such as physical and occupational therapy, prescriptions, wheelchairs, orthotics, eyeglasses and hearing aids.  Grants are also provided in cases where insurance may cover only a portion of the expenses. Families in Rhode Island can apply for assistance at www.uhccf.org.
a
Research Roundup: Babies and Their Families
 
Delays in gross and fine motor development in a child's first year are significantly associated with delayed cognitive and behavioral development at age 5, say researchers at the University of London. The findings emerged from a study of data collected as part of the Millennium Cohort Study which gathered information on 15,000 babies born in the U.K. "This additional finding confirms the importance of screening for developmental delay before the first birthday" the study reports. Read more at BBC News.  
 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
ZERO TO THREE released the findings of a parent survey, Parenting Infants and Toddlers Today, in their March 2010 journal. The nationwide survey of more than 1,600 parents of children from birth to 3 years-old provides insight on key issues and influences related to how parents make child-rearing decisions. One of the findings the survey is that 25% of all parents are experiencing child care-related hardships that they attribute to the economic downturn. Read more about the survey on ZERO TO THREE's Facebook page.
a
... Member Postings ... 
 
Job Postings...
 
BrightStars Program Assessment Specialist
The Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children (RIAEYC) is recruiting a BrightStars Program Assessment Specialist. Applicants for this position should be highly motivated, have a commitment to personal excellence, and have outstanding customer service skills. This position will conduct child care program quality assessments using standardized tools and other data collection instruments. Ability to speak, read, and write English and Spanish with proficiency is required. This is a full-time position supported through grant funds expiring on September 30, 2011. Click here for a complete position description.
 
Brown/Fox Point Early Childhood Education Center Lead Preschool Teacher
Brown/Fox Point is an NAEYC-accredited, BrightStars-rated preschool committed to an anti-bias, emergent curriculum, research-based instructional practices, and strong relationships to our diverse families. Lead teachers work in pairs and oversee all aspects of classroom curriculum and instruction.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to read our website carefully.
http://www.brownfoxpoint.org. Applicants must submit: a resume, the names, titles, and phone numbers of three references, copies of BCI and fingerprint documentation, a well-written cover letter that explains why you would be an outstanding addition to Brown/Fox Point. Applications are due no later than March 26, 2010. No phone calls please! Applications can be
mailed to 150 Hope Street Providence RI 02906, faxed to 401.633.6265, or
emailed to info@brownfoxpoint.org
.

Bright Horizons, Director positions
As a director, you will lead and supervise teaching teams to ensure that children and families needs are met, recruit and develop all staff, and mentor the center leadership team. You will have the opportunity to serve as a resource for families through discussions, newsletters, workshops, and community contacts. Other responsibilities include marketing the center/school to the community, maintaining financial records and developing budgets, curriculum oversight, ensuring that licensing requirements are met and actively participating in director meetings, regional functions and trainings. You will also maintain a supportive and proactive relationship with our client. Current locations that are hiring in Massachusetts: Hingham and Franklin. For more information about these locations please fill out our online application at www.brighthorizons.com/careers or contact Carol Perkins at cperkins@brighthorizons.com.
 
Events...
 
RIPIN Workshops

RI Parent Information Network is offering a series of Winter & Spring workshops, which are taking place at our new location in Cranston. The workshops are free to attend, and are beneficial for families and professionals. Visit http://www.ripin.org/workshops.html for more information.
 
Typical Development of Infants and Toddlers
Saturday, May 15, 2010, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Providence URI CCE campus.
The workshop will focus on the development of infants and toddlers, up to 36 months. Key areas of development to be discussed will be cognitive, early language and literacy, play, and emotional development. An emphasis on responsive caregiving, developmental milestones and encouraging toddlers' interests and discoveries will be presented. Contact Riley O'Neill at eigrant.uri@gmail.com or 401-874-4036.
 
Discounts... 
 
NAEYC Online Store
Now save 20% off all resources on the online store. Visit the online store to begin taking advantage of your member savings today!
______________________________________________________________
Submit your news, announcements, and items of interest. Items received by the 10th of the month will be included in that month's publication.
 
The mission of RIAEYC is to support professionals in their work by promoting quality education and the healthy development of children birth through eight.
Upcoming Events
                           
RIAEYC Board Meeting
April 1, 8:30am
RIAEYC office
... 
 
RI Early Childhood Conference Committee
April 8, 5:30pm
RIAEYC office
... 
 
April 10 - 17 
... 
 
April 12, 2:30pm
State House
...
 
RI Early Childhood Conference 
Friday, May 7 
Saturday, May 8 
Bryant University
 
 
To view all
meetings & events, visit
 
 
Not a member of NAEYC & RIAEYC?