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Promoting Excellence in Early Care and Education
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November 2011
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Greetings!
As we quickly approach the holiday season, we would like to take the time to thank each and every one of you for supporting Idaho AEYC and our commitment to Promote Excellence is Early Care and Education. Whether you have helped with a financial gift, your time, or your advocacy work, please know that you are truly valued and appreciated.
Idaho AEYC continues to make progress in our efforts to inspire and lead those who provide and care for our children every day. The work we do would not be possible without your support. Thank you from all of us at Idaho AEYC. We hope you have a safe and happy holiday season.
With sincere gratitude,
Beth Oppenheimer
Executive Director
Idaho AEYC
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Idaho AEYC Announces the 2011 Book Award
The Patterson Puppies and the Midnight Monster Party by Leslie Patricelli of Ketchum, Idaho is the honoree of the Idaho AEYC 2011 Book Award.
The Idaho AEYC Book Award supports childhood literacy and life-long reading by annually recognizing exemplary children's books that were written by an Idaho author. The first award was presented in 2008.
Other nominees for the 2011 award were The Adventures of Spiky Boy and Baby by Cari Elmore of Coeur d'Alene, Mooser on the Loose by Jane Freund of Boise, and Grandma, Does My Moon Shine Over Your House? (in English and Spanish) by Mary Hansen Freund and Jane Freund of Boise.
The committee welcomes recommendations for books meeting the criteria for review (written by an Idaho author and designed for children birth through age 8). The committee is now seeking books copyrighted in 2011 for the 2012 award. If you know of an Idaho author or have a possible nomination, contact the committee.
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Idaho's Pledge to All of Our Children
 Idaho AEYC is pleased to support Idaho's Pledge to All our Children developed by the Education Committee of Idaho Voices for Children (IVC) with support from the Idaho Business Coalition for Education Excellence (IBCEE).
LeAnn Simmons, Idaho Voices for Children Executive Director explains, "The Pledge to Idaho's Children is a roadmap for the child and family centered values we aspire to in Idaho. As the state and its citizens address issues that affect Idaho children, these shared values can act as a common framework for discussion. With alignment we can begin to address 'the how' with evidence based programs, strategies, and tactics that support the vision."
Please join IVC and IBCEE in supporting the Pledge to Idaho's Children. To read the pledge and add your signature, please visit this website.
All signatures will be presented to our state leaders and policy makers in December 2011 as a lead in to the 2012 Legislative session. We want to insure that Idaho's children are a top priority in making the very difficult decisions that lay ahead for our leaders.
The goal is to present 25,000 signatures. We can do this for Idaho's children with your help.
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From the Governing Board President
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Kris Freeland, President |
With the turn of the seasons and November being a month of reflection and thanks, I'd like to say thank you to each of you for the work you do on behalf of the children and families in Idaho.
The new Governing Board has been busy "getting back to basics" reorganizing the committee structure, reviewing committee charters, recruiting new committee members, and setting the goals for the year. There is an exciting energy emanating from the group that is sure to produce results.
Already accomplished is the revision and ratification of the Idaho AEYC Bylaws. The Bylaws document can be reviewed on the website. Now in the works is the revision of the Governing Board Policies to align that document with the Bylaws revision. Other activities include developing the public policy agenda for Idaho, beginning the strategic planning process, organizing a membership campaign, revamping the Stick Your Neck Out for Idaho's Children criteria and award process, convening a work group of directors of the NAEYC nationally accredited programs in Idaho, and planning for Week of the Young Child events in the spring. If you have an interest in any of these activities, committees are now forming and there are still slots for volunteers to join. Contact Kris Freeland for more information. The next board meeting is on November 15. |
Jane Zornik Retires
After a 35-year career in education and nearly 5 years of outstanding service as the Executive Assistant at Idaho AEYC, Jane Zornik is retiring. Her last day in the office will be December 8.
Through her hard work and dedication, Jane has made innumerable contributions to Idaho AEYC and has touched many lives. Although she will be missed immensely, she has worked hard her entire career and has earned the opportunity to enjoy more time with family and doing the things she wants to do and hasn't had time to do.
Idaho AEYC appreciates Jane's dedication, diligent work ethic, and her pleasant personality. Please join us in wishing Jane all the best in her retirement.
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Ready to Learn, Ready to Earn: A Policy Forum
Idaho KIDS COUNT and Idaho Voices for Children are pleased to announce a reading proficiency policy forum to be held at Boise State University Student Union Building on December 7.
In Idaho, only 32% of fourth graders are reading proficiently according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). On December 7, experts and stakeholders will come together to learn about the importance of reading proficiency for Idaho's children and to discuss policy solutions to improve reading skills across the state.
Discussion topics are access to early education, quality instruction, summer learning loss, and chronic absenteeism.
Registration details will be posted in November at: www.idahokidscount.org and www.idahovoices.org.
 
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| The National Survey of Early Care and Education
 The National Survey of Early Care and Education (NSECE) will be conducted by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago between late October 2011 and May 2012.
If you are selected for the NSECE sample, we urge you to participate. You may be contacted by email, mail, phone, or in-person. Your response is very important in ensuring accurate survey results.
This exciting study will provide the first comprehensive portrait of the availability of early care and education in our country in over 20 years. The study is sponsored by the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation within the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Idaho AEYC and the IdahoSTARS project endorses the NSECE because it will provide a foundation in building state and federal knowledge of critical considerations families face in finding care and a source of accurate, timely data to inform policymaking.
Again if you are selected, it is very important for you to participate! Thank you for taking the time to do so.
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Informative Training Classes Being Held Statewide
The Child Care Health Consultant (CCHC) Program is bringing two essential IdahoSTARS training classes your way. Look for training classes in Hayden, Moscow, Lewiston, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Pocatello, Caldwell and Boise starting in late November. View the training schedule here.
These trainings are made possible by a grant from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Topics include Managing Infectious Diseases in Early Education and Child Care Settings (an AAP presentation) and Immunization Review.
Presenters are Noreen Womack, MD, FAAP, and the CCHC Program Child Care Nurse Consultants. There is no cost to attendees, however please bring your own beverages if desired. Pizza will be served during the Managing Infectious Diseases presentation.
Register online through the IdahoSTARS training website at and click on the training calendar.
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Nationally Accredited Facilities Recognized
 Idaho AEYC promotes quality in early care and learning environments. The Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) is one avenue to quality. Other programs that also establish rigorous standards for child care facilities and home provider settings are through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation process or the National Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC) Accreditation program respectively.
Since 1985, NAEYC's national, voluntary accreditation system has set professional standards for early childhood education programs, and helped families identify high quality programs for their young children. As of October 1, Idaho has 18 facilities that have earned the status of NAEYC accreditation. See the list below.
 NAFCC accreditation is an indicator that family child care offers safe, inviting spaces and warm, nurturing care complete with educational activities designed to meet the needs and interests of all children while promoting individual development. Nationally accredited homes meet high standards in child care and set the benchmark for quality. Idaho currently has 5 accredited home providers. See the list below.
The QRIS, NAEYC, and NAFCC rated facilities and home providers are all listed on the Idaho AEYC website. When seeking child care, remember to check for signs of quality like accreditations or ratings.
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NAEYC Accredited Centers
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BSU Children's Center (Boise/Region 4)
North Idaho College Children's Center (Coeur d'Alene/Region 1)
Kids Are Special People (Boise/Region 4)
CSI Hailey Head Start (Hailey/Region 5)
CSI Head Start / Early Head Start Cassia Ctr (Burley/Region 5)
Child Development Laboratory (Moscow/Region 2)
Little Folks, Inc. (Coeur d'Alene/Region 1)
Mountain Home Child Development Center (MHAFB/Region 4)
Early Childhood Partnership School (Pocatello/Region 6)
CSI Head Start/Early HS Northside Ctr (Jerome/Region 5)
SandCastles Early Learning Center (Boise/Region 4)
University of Idaho Children's Center (Moscow/Region 2)
CSI Head Start/Early Head Start (Twin Falls/Region 5)
CSI Early Childhood Education Lab (Twin Falls/Region 5)
The Children's School of Boise Inc. (Boise/Region 4)
Wesleyan Preschool and Kindergarten (Boise/Region 4)
Eagle Adventist Christian Center (Eagle/Region 4)
The Cooperative Preschool (Boise/Region 4)
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NAFCC Accreditation |
Virginia DeSpain (Boise/Region 4)
Laurie Klug (Coeur d'Alene/Region 1)
Iris Siegler (Coeur d'Alene/Region 1)
Carlyn Shaffer (Hayden/Region 1)
Peggy Banks (Spirit Lake/Region 1)
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New Shining Stars
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STAR ratings indicate that facilities have reached a standard of excellence. These programs recently completed the QRIS process and earned their ratings. Go to IdahoSTARS Regional Child Care Facility for complete lists by Region.
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The Learning Station (Meridian/Region 4)
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Doodle Bugs Child Care (Chubbuck/Region 6)
Miss Becky's Preschool and Childcare (Rathdrum/Region 1)
Tender Loving Care Childcare (Pocatello/Region 6)
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Idaho AEYC is a proud affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children
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Did You Know...
PDS data shows
14.3 % of participants
work 20 hours or less per week
27.4 % of participants
work 21 to 37 hours per week
58.3 % of participants
work 38 or more
hours per week
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Question:
Why is there a different requirement for hours worked per week between a Professional Development System (PDS) participant (15 hours) and an academic scholarship recipient (25 hours)?
Answer:
The PDS needs to be as inclusive as possible to fit the many types of early care and education programs that applicants represent. The minimum requirement of 15 hours per week includes most part time and/or part day staff and allows them the opportunity to receive cash incentives and training scholarships. See statistics above.
The academic scholarship comes with an expectation the student employee, through practical application of early childhood education coursework, will have an immediate, positive impact on children in care and on overall program quality. The more contact hours the student employee has with children, the greater the benefit to those children and the sponsoring program. This is an important reason programs are partners in the scholarship program.
Do you have something that is puzzling you? Send your question to Jane Zornik. One question will be selected for publication each month. Names will not be published.
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Upcoming Events | |
NAEYC Annual Conference and Expo
November 2-5, 2011
Orlando, Florida
Snake River AEYC Fall Conference
November 12, 2011
9 AM to 4 PM
College of Southern Idaho
Twin Falls, ID
North Idaho AEYC Annual Training
November 17, 2011
6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Ready to Learn, Ready to Earn: A Policy Forum
December 7, 2011
Boise State University - Student Union Building
Boise, ID
Strengthening Families Training Institute
March 13-14, 2012
Riverside Hotel
Boise, ID
Week of the Young Child
April 22-28, 2012
For more information about these events, visit our website calendar. |
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Thank you
| Thank you for supporting our efforts to promote quality early child care and learning in Idaho.
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Contact Information
| Jane Zornik, Idaho AEYC Newsletter Editor
contactus@idahoaeyc.org
208.345.1090 x25 |
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