Child Care
Training Newsletter 
 September 16, 2009
 
  A Resource for Early Childhood Professionals
Professional Development
Child Care Job Bank
Earn Clock Hours Online
Parent & Family Resource Corner
Useful information and links ready to share with families and parents at your center. Print and post by check in, affix to room doors, place in cubbies or place in parent folders.
New & Specialized Training Classes
Transportation Training Now Available

If you transport children this class is a MUST for you!  State licensing has added a mandatory transportation requirement for any licensed child care center or registered family child care staff that transports children. This two hour class must be completed by December 31, 2009. 

 

Topics covered include supervision of children, unloading and double checking vehicles after unloading, child passenger safety seats and more. 

 

Classes are offered Monday Oct. 19 from 7-9 p.m.  Nov. 16 from 7-9 p.m. There will not be room for walk-ins!  Contact Elizabeth Coen to pre-register at 817-831-2111 ext 143 or Elizabeth@CampFireFW.org.

 
Going Green in Your Center - Recognizing Hidden Hazards 
On August 27, Camp Fire USA partnered with Children's Environmental Health Network (CEHN) to provide training to more than 70 child care providers about the potential environmental hazards items, such as common household cleaners and art supplies, and the impact on children.  
 
As a result of the overwhelming interest the class will be available again on October 8 to any child care provider who would like to attend. This course is $5 and pre-registration is required and includes a course manual, certificate of completion and refreshments.
 
Beyond learning how to identify these chemicals and their effects on children, participants are taught how to identify environment health hazards in and around a facility, methods to properly remove hazards and the local and national resources and contacts that can be of assistance to child care facilities.
 
Check-in begins at 6:30 p.m.  Register with Elizabeth Coen at 817-831-2111ext.143 or Elizabeth@campfirefw.org.
Stay Informed, Stay Healthy this Flu Season
While cooler weather may have many in North Texas thinking of football season, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has another season to prepare for - flu season.  The CDC and other agencies have developed many free materials with child care providers in mind.
These resources allow for internal education of those who provide care and the children in their care. Many resources extend beyond the child care setting to educate families on necessary steps to fight flu this season.
Flu is a serious and contagious disease. Each year in the United States more than 200,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 die from seasonal flu complications.
There is an additional concern that this season could be worse. The new and different virus, called novel or new H1N1, may cause more cases or more severe illnesses than usual.
Below is a list of resources available that make great tools to hand out to parents, to discuss at staff meetings or provide training on or to build learning lessons for children about healthful practices.

Need a flu shot? Find one near you.

Upcoming Camp Fire USA Classes 
Click on a class title to learn more. 

Please note our new fax number 817-806-5150 that delivers your registration directly to our registrar.

Download the registration form for these classes.

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USDA Program Supports Healthy Eating and Better Health 
Offering nutritional choices in a home-based care setting can feel like a daunting task on a good day. Throw into the mix fluctuating food prices and the creativity it takes to keep little taste buds happy and it can feel downright impossible. That is where Camp Fire USA, as a sponsoring agency for the USDA program, steps in and provides licensed or registered to home-based providers some help with meal reimbursements and much more. 
Our program is uniquely designed for the home-based provider and offers a number of enhanced support options beyond reimbursements.  Members of this program also have access to:
  • C K-KIDS Minute Menu- A web-based program with the ability to create, record and submit menus/attendance, create certificates, assist in managing your child care business with financial aid, and many other features. 
  • Direct Deposit- Monthly claim reimbursement deposited directly into your checking or savings account.
  • Quality nutrition and creative training solutions offered annually. 
  • Free financial planner with helpful tips and record keeping charts. 
  • Monthly newsletter with updates and helpful nutritional information. 
  • Assistance with menu planning and information on child care concerns and issues from our staff. 

Find out more about this program and how to become enrolled and begin reaping the benefits for you and the children in your care. Email fcc@CampFireFW.org or call 817-831-2111 ext. 118.

What is Wrong With This Picture?
TrainingFind out and read below to learn more about why this bassinet and other items need to be inspected at your child care facility.
Training Don't forget to register for the Fall Early Childhood Management Institute (ECMI) class begining September 29 in Dallas! Only five class sessions are offered annually. Call Mary Tyler at 817-831-2111 ext. 115 or email ECMI@CampFireFW.org to register.
 Recall This Licensing Change?
 
This summer a number of laws changed that impact child care licensing. One of those highlighted is the Consumer Product Safety Bill that prohibits the use of recalled products in licensed and registered child care centers or child care homes.
 
In addition to not using unsafe or recalled products identified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) child care providers will be responsible for passing this information on to parents and guardians of children in your care.
Tips to comply: 
  • Post information on how to access the recall list through the CPSC website or the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) website. This information should be posted in a publicly accessible and prominent place so parents may learn how to access the information about unsafe children's products.
  • Check the CPSC recall list on a regular basis to see if any children's products in your center or home have been recalled.  If you discover that recalled items are in use at your program you will need to discontinue using these items and ensure these items will no longer be accessible to children. 
  • Certify in writing, on an annual basis, that all the recalls and notices issued by CPSC have been reviewed and that there are no unsafe children's products in use at your center or home.

Camp Fire USA will help you in this effort by providing information about recalls and offering monthly prompts to review all recall information. Additionally, you can join the CPSC e-mail subscription list to be notified directly of recalls. Parents and care providers can obtain recall and general safety information at www.cpsc.gov.