RIAEYC Says "See You Again" to Long-Time Friend & Leader, Jennifer DeFrance
RIAEYC offers its best wishes to President Jen DeFrance. Jen has been actively involved with RIAEYC for 20 years, most recently serving as President of the RIAEYC Governing Board.
A reception was held earlier this month where Jen was honored for her commitment to quality early care and education in Rhode Island and for her extraordinary efforts to sustain and grow RIAEYC.
Fellow Governing Board member, Courtney Read, expressed the following:
I was introduced to Jen when I was a graduate student and she a professor at CCRI. She had come to speak in one of my classes about prospects for leadership in the field of Early Childhood Education. I remember listening to her describe her journey as a professional and how she was continuing to make education a priority in her own life, as she prepared to enter the doctoral program at Johnson and Wales University. Jen's presentation sparked my interest in becoming an adult educator, but that dream was not fully realized until about one year later, when I became a member of the RIAEYC board and was mentored by this exceptional woman. Jen shared her valuable time with me, providing resources, suggestions and opportunities for my leadership capabilities to grow. Our collaborative efforts on various early childhood initiatives have been memorable and prosperous for me as a practitioner and a professional. I can honestly say that, without Jen's motivation, positive encouragement, and leadership, I would not be where I am today. She will continue to remain an individual who I look at with high regard and appreciation. Thank you Jen from the bottom of my heart!
Thank you Jen for all you have done!
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RIAEYC & Kids Count Release Child Care Quality Study
On Thursday, April 15, community leaders, advocates, policy makers and child care providers gathered for the release of Rhode Island's 2009 Child Care Center & Preschool Quality Study.  A total of 69 randomly selected child care centers and preschools participated in the study which included 100 observations of infant/toddler and preschool classrooms in addition to other data collected. The study found that 86% of classrooms serving preschool children (3-5 years old) and 74% classrooms serving infants and toddlers (0-3 years) are providing "medium quality" care, which indicates that most RI children in licensed, center-based care are receiving safe, adequate care.
There is "room for improvement" according to Dr. Kelly Maxwell, Associate Director of the FPG Child Development Institute and primary author of the report, including "strengthening the quality of care for infants and toddlers". 20% of classrooms serving infants and toddlers were found to be providing "low quality" care which may have a negative impact on child development and learning. Anna Cano-Morales, Associate Vice President at The Rhode Island Foundation, which funded the study, commented, "The Rhode Island Foundation enthusiastically supported this study because the research that early learning experiences matter is indisputable. As a state, we now have the information that can support data-driven change and that enables us to target improvement efforts where they are most needed and will do the most good." The study was conducted through a partnership with Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, the FPG Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children, which manages BrightStars. Read a Providence Journal article about the study here. |
Work Group Convened to Develop Core Competencies for Teachers and Assistants in Center-Based Programs
The Rhode Island Department of Education is leading an effort to complete the Core Competencies for teachers and teacher assistants working in center-based programs. Chris Amirault, RIAEYC President, is representing RIAEYC on this group.
The Work Group convened for the first time earlier this month and discussed the following:
- Practitioner competencies are an essential foundation for building an effective ECE system in every area, especially certification and professional development.
- There are already clear linkages between the draft Core Competencies and NAEYC standards.
- A key piece of the Core Competencies is user-friendly guidance about how they are (and are not) to be used.
- The Core Competencies could be used as frameworks for higher education, community professional development, and others.
- The Core Competencies can be anchored to a map for moving forward - to increase, align, and build a professional development system and to seek out further resources for practitioners and programs interested in improvement.
The Work Group will meet monthly over the next year. We'll continue to keep you posted on their work. |
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Tri-Town Community Action, Johnston recently was awarded NAEYC Accreditation. Congratulations Tri-Town!
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NAEYC, in collaboration with the National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education (NAECS-SDE), released a joint statement on the Common Core State Standards Initiative related to kindergarten through third grade. In developing this statement, NAEYC invited its governing board, affiliate leaders, and facilitators of key interest forums to share their thoughts about Common Core for K-3. The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a project to develop a common core of state standards in English-language arts and mathematics for grades K-12. |
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Resources for Families: Book Nook, Audio Series on ASD
Book Nook
These easy-to-use guides were created especially for teachers/caregivers and parents to provide hands-on ways to embed social-emotional skill building activities into everyday routines. Each book nook is comprised of ideas and activities designed around popular children's books such as Big Al, Hands are Not for Hitting, On Monday When it Rained and My Many Colored Days. Examples of suggested activities include using rhymes to talk about being friends, making emotion masks to help children identify and talk about different feelings, playing games around what to do with hands instead of hitting and fun music and movement activities to express emotions. Available at no cost from the CSEFL website. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Audio Series on Autism
The American Academy of Pediatrics has launched a new audio series, entitled Sound Advice on Autism, which includes audio interviews with developmental and behavioral pediatricians, a pediatric neurologist, autism researchers and parents of children with autism. It is available online at http://www.aap.org/audio/autism/. |
Research Roundup: Infants & Toddlers, Reading Results
The National Infant and Toddler Child Care Initiative at ZERO TO THREE recently published a fact sheet entitled Keys to High-Quality Child Care for Infants and Toddlers (2010). It describes common elements found in the core knowledge and competencies for early care and education professionals in 36 States, including special considerations for children with special needs and cultural diversity.
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The newly released Reading 2009 study finds reading scores up since 2007 at grade 8 and unchanged at grade 4. Nationally representative samples of more than 178,000 fourth-graders and 160,000 eighth-graders participated in the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in reading. At grade 4, the average reading score in 2009 was unchanged from the score in 2007 but was higher than the scores in other earlier assessment years from 1992 to 2005. About two-thirds (67 percent) of fourth-graders performed at or above the Basic level in 2009, and one-third (33 percent) performed at or above Proficient. Eight percent of fourth-graders performed at the Advanced level, which was the same as in 2007 but higher than in 1992. At grade 8, the average reading score in 2009 was one point higher than in 2007 and four points higher than in 1992, but was not consistently higher than in all the assessment years in between. |
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... Community Postings ...
Job Postings...
AmeriCorps at R2LP
R2LP is currently accepting applications for its 2010/2011 AmeriCorps team. The 35 members serve at library branches, early-care settings, pediatric clinics and the R2LP offices after a month of training in August. AmeriCorps members receive a living allowance of $11,800; an education award of $4,725; child-care allowance and health insurance; training and leadership experience; and three weeks vacation during the 11-month term. Candidates must be 18 or older. We'll be accepting applications until May 14. Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. You can apply online on the AmeriCorps website. Download an application or learn more on the R2LP website.
My Kids & Co., Inc.
A small cozy center lic. cap. 51, currently has openings for a Young Pre-K and Toddler Teacher, as well as a Certified Head Teacher/Director Position. Minimum 3 yrs Group Daycare Experience required, BrightStars Center, Developmentally appropriate practices. Call for interview 401-726-2160 or forward resume to mykids11@earthlink.net.
AmeriCorps Members with Bridges 4 Learning
* 16 Members: Aug. 2010 - July 2011, approximately 40 hours/week (includes occasional nights & weekends)
* Location: 4 member teams at Apeiron Institute for Sustainable Living, Connecting for Children & Families, the Cranston Community Learning Center, and Traveling Theatre
* To Apply: Please send a resume, a letter of interest, and 2 written references by 5/31/2010 to: B4L, Apeiron Institute for Sustainable Living, 17 Gordon Avenue, Suite 207, Providence, RI 02905 or email to: nancy@apeiron.org.
Events...
United Way of RI Flood Relief Fundraiser
* Sunday, May 2, 4pm, GILLARY'S TAVERN,198 Thames Street, Bristol, RI
* A BENEFIT CONCERT FEATURING: 1st Time Around Band, Lost Radio,
Dancing Nancy, Acoustic with Colby James & Patrick McAloon
* $10 COVER to benefit the Rhode Island Flood Recovery Fund (RIFRF)
Witnesses to Hunger Exhibit
Witnesses to Hunger, a photo exhibit by women working to create better lives for their children, is coming to the Peerless Lofts Atrium, 150 Union Street Providence. Local witnesses will be sharing their stories at the Opening Reception on May 19. The exhibit runs for three weeks. This nationally acclaimed exhibit presents the difficulties of raising a family on a limited budget. More information available at the RI Food Bank website.
Requests...
Rough & Tumble
Frances M. Carlson, M.A.Ed., is a full-time instructor of Early Childhood Education at Chattahoochee Technical College and an adjunct instructor of Early Childhood Education at the Tift College of Education at Mercer University. She is a Consulting Editor for NAEYC, and serves as a Co-Facilitator for the national Men in Education Network (M.E.N.) Interest Forum. Frances is currently working on a book about how and why to support Rough & Tumble Play in birth-eight settings. She would like to be able to spotlight some early childhood programs across the country that are doing a good job of providing this type of support. If you can help, please respond directly to her at fcarlson@chattahoocheetech.edu.
Outdoor Play & Recess
You are invited to participate in a research project being conducted by Dr. Shelly Counsell and Dr. Mike Lester of Idaho State University. This survey is intended to investigate the current trends and practice concerning young children's access to daily outdoor play and recess (Pre-K through 2rd grade and 3rd grade through 6th grade). Information and insights gathered from this survey will be used to inform educators, administrators, parents, and legislators nationwide about the current trends concerning young children's access to outdoor play and recess. The gained insights can then be used to determine what this means for local, state, and national policy and in turn, guide subsequent practice. To access the online survey, go to: http://ed.isu.edu/noprs/.
Discounts...
NAEYC Online Store
NAEYC members save 20% off all resources on the online store. Visit the online store to begin taking advantage of your member savings today!
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Submit your news, announcements, and items of interest. Items received by the 10th of the month will be included in that month's publication.
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The mission of RIAEYC is to support professionals in their work by promoting quality education and the healthy development of children birth through eight. | |
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Upcoming Events
RI Early Childhood Conference
Friday, May 7
Saturday, May 8
May 10, 2:30pm
State House
BrightStars Info Session
May 11, 6pm
RIAEYC Office
Warwick Public Library
DHS Child Care Community Exchange
May 18, 1:30pm
United Way of RI |
To view all
meetings & events, visit
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Not a member of NAEYC & RIAEYC?
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