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Promoting Excellence in Early Care and Education
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January 2012
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Greetings,
As we begin another exciting year, Idaho AEYC is gearing up to continue our mission of promoting excellence in early care and education. We are dedicated to strengthening our existing programs and expanding our efforts through innovative and collaborative methods. As things continue to evolve at Idaho AEYC this year, we will be provided with increased opportunities to promote quality education and excellence in child care for all children of Idaho.
We would like to thank all those that have supported Idaho AEYC, whether through a financial gift, volunteered time or advocacy work. The work we do would not be possible without your support. Additionally, we extend a warm welcome to those new to Idaho AEYC. Idaho AEYC continues to make progress in our efforts to inspire and lead those who provide and care for our children every day.
Happy New Year from all of us at Idaho AEYC!
With sincere gratitude,
Beth Oppenheimer
Executive Director
Idaho AEYC
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| Call for Volunteers
Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. -Margaret Mead
This year at Idaho AEYC, we are offering many exciting volunteer opportunities. Volunteering is an excellent way to assist our organization in its mission of promoting excellence and professionalism in Early Child Care and Education in Idaho. We would like to use your talents and commitment to Idaho's children to improve our actions and events. We are offering volunteer experiences in many areas including:
Office Support
Events Planning- Week of the Young Child
Events Planning- Stick Your Neck Out for Children
Conference Trainings
Marketing/ Communications
Grant Writing
Book Award Committee
Conference Committee
Please contact Kattalina Berriochoa if you are interested in a volunteer opportunity at Idaho AEYC. We welcome your assistance!
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Sign Idaho's Pledge to All of Our Children
If you have not signed Idaho's Pledge to Children, please sign and support efforts to insure that Idaho's children are a top priority for our state. Please use the following link to sign Idaho's Pledge to All of Our Children.
Idaho AEYC strongly supports Idaho's Pledge to All our Children developed by Idaho Voices for Children (IVC) and the Idaho Business Coalition for Education Excellence (IBCEE).
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Idaho AEYC Public Policy News
During the New Year, Idaho AEYC will be focused on the preparation of a 2012 Public Policy Agenda. This document will be prepared by the Public Policy Committee, led by Eldon Wallace. This Public Policy Agenda, a requirement by the NAEYC, will be used as a guiding document for Idaho AEYC. A public policy agenda is a written plan for the policy issues that Idaho AEYC will be working on in a given year including making policy priorities, setting future policy agendas, and creating a strong policy foundation as we promote quality child care and education throughout the state. This document will be created through a planning and collaborative process and is expected to be completed at the beginning of 2012. Member input will be a high priority in the design of the public policy agenda.
To ensure the input of members in public policy, we have designed a short survey regarding your opinions on public policy. We encourage members to provide feedback on the public policy issues that you care about in the field of early childhood. Thank you for your participation.
Please use this link to complete the survey.
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Melissa Bandy,
IdahoSTARS Program Director
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Melissa Bandy Departs Idaho AEYC
At one point in her life, Melissa Bandy entered college with the goal of becoming a chemical engineer. However, one class in early child development changed the course of her career. Idaho AEYC has been fortunate that she decided to enroll in that early child development course. Her skills, experience, and passion for quality early childcare and education have dramatically benefited Idaho AEYC in its mission of promoting excellence in early child care and education. Serving as the President of the Board of Directors, Melissa stepped in and took a strong role in the organization as co-Executive Director and, later, Interim Executive Director, to support the life's work of the late Karen Mason. Since 2010, Melissa successfully served as the Idaho STARS Statewide Project Director supporting the development and expansion of this collaborative program. Melissa has been recruited by ICF International to serve as an Early Childhood Education Specialist for Region X, which supports early childcare and education in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. Melissa notes that "this was a difficult decision to make, but an exciting opportunity both personally and professionally."
Melissa would like to thank Idaho AEYC's Governing Board for the wonderful and meaningful experience of working. Additionally, Melissa would like to extend her appreciation to the staff of Idaho AEYC who, in her opinion, are critical players in the success of children and families in Idaho.
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 Idaho AEYC Welcomes Kattalina Berriochoa
Beginning her career in quality early child care and education, Kattalina Berriochoa has filled the position of Executive Assistant to support Idaho AEYC in its efforts. She is excited for this opportunity to combine her passion for education and public policy and hopes to positively assist in the future accomplishments of Idaho AEYC.
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NAEYC Accreditation Spotlight
Maggie Beltrami is the Director of Wesleyan Preschool & Kindergarten in Boise, Idaho. As an active Idaho AEYC member, Maggie is currently serving as the Accreditation Committee Chair for the TVAEYC and in that role, serves on the IAEYC Accreditation Committee.
How long has your center been accredited?
Wesleyan has been NAEYC accredited since April 1994.
What are the benefits of national accreditation in your opinion?
NAEYC accreditation provides a gold standard framework for quality for programs to follow. Parents can be assured that NAEYC accredited programs meet stringent criteria for quality in all areas, that their children are receiving the absolute best in education and care, and that accreditation is an ongoing process with regular oversight. From a staff perspective it indicates that the program is invested in continuing education, competitive salary and benefits, and a commitment to staff and children. Programs that are accredited send a clear message to the community that they value children.
What would you tell other members considering national accreditation about the process and the results from successful accreditation?
While the initial NAEYC accreditation process is arduous the process of self-study in invaluable. It allows programs to take a deep look into all aspects of providing quality education and care; developing or fine tuning their mission and vision, expanding and creating important policies and procedures, articulating and implementing developmentally appropriate curricula, and raising the bar of professionalism within the program and in the larger community of early childhood education. NAEYC has tools and resources to support programs in all aspects of the accreditation process.
The results from successful NAEYC accreditation can be seen in the continued success of our program with long wait lists for enrollment, the long term staff and the sense of pride and commitment they feel for the program, and the fact that the majority of inquiring families who are new to Boise sought Wesleyan out because they recognized what being NAEYC accredited means for their children.
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Idaho AEYC Membership Spotlight
Sue Harpold is the Children's Services Manager at Friends of Children & Families Head Start. Sue is currently serving as the Treasure Valley AEYC Affiliate Representative, as well as serve as the IAEYC Membership Committee Chair and IAEYC Affiliate Committee Member.
How long have you been a member? What was your initial reason for pursuing membership in IAEYC?
I originally joined NAEYC in 1983. I was interested in advocacy work for children, and found that AEYC provided many opportunities for advocacy, as well as for networking and professional development. In addition, AEYC kept me informed about local issues affecting children.
In your opinion, what are the benefits of membership in Idaho AEYC?
Reading the quarterly journal Young Children has helped me to grow as a professional, and has kept me informed about best practices in the field. Through AEYC, I've had the opportunity to attend conferences and hear leaders in the field of early childhood, such as Louise Derman Sparks, Lillian Katz, Sylvia Chard and Ellen Galinsky. Additionally, I have been able to meet and learn from many other members of the early childhood community through professional networking opportunities.
Over the years, my AEYC membership has been a wonderful investment in my professional development.
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NAFCC Accreditation
Our apologies, this name was inadvertently omitted from the previous newsletter.
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Mark & Buffy Drewett (Boise/Region 4)
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ISU Early Learning Center (Idaho Falls/Region 7)
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Bacon's Lil Bits (Kimberly/Region 5)
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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?
During 2011...
Professional Development System (PDS) received 1042 applications.
In total, 956 application were approved for PDS.
383 applications were intial applicants into PDS.
573 applicantions received an Anniversary Level Move Incentive.
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Question:
Where do I send my Daycare License Application Fee?
Answer:
All State Daycare License Applications must be made out to your Local Health District. Please do not send any payments to the IdahoSTARS Vendor Specialists when you submit your application. The Health District will contact you after the Vendor Specialists receive your application to explain how and when to make the application fee payment.
Do you have something that is puzzling you? Send your question to Kattalina Berriochoa. One question will be selected for publication each month. Names will not be published.
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Upcoming Events
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Make-it and Take-it Trainings-IdahoSTARS Approved
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Saturday, April 7, 2012
CSI Preschool Lab- 246 Falls Ave. -- 10:00 AM-12:00 PM --Twin Falls, ID
Contact Jennifer Patterson
NAEYC Public Policy Forum
February 28-29, 2012 -- Washington, DC
Strengthening Families Training Institute
March 13-14, 2012 -- Riverside Hotel -- Boise, ID
Eastern Idaho Track Trainings
Saturday, March 17 -- BYUI Clarke Building -- Rexburg, ID
Saturday, March 31 -- Southeast District Health -- Pocatello, ID
Contact Owen Anderson
Week of the Young Child
April 22-28, 2012 -- Please use this link to view events throughout Idaho
NAEYC Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development
Sunday, June 10-14, 2012 -- Indianapolis, IN
Kids Day in the Park
Saturday, July 21st, 2012 -- 10 AM-1 PM -- Coeur d'Alene City Park
Contact Jennifer Ross
NAEYC Annual Conference and Expo
November 7- 10, 2012 - Atlanta, GA
For more information about these events, visit our Website Calendar.
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Thank you for supporting our efforts to promote quality early child care and learning in Idaho.
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Contact Information
| Kattalina Berriochoa, Idaho AEYC Newsletter Editor
208.345.1090
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