Early Learning Newsletter November 2nd
Each week I will send out an Early Learning Update email. These are meant to be quick updates on any relevant items for the week including resources, Professional Development, new health department info and more. Please see this weeks news and bookmark the Early Learning Portal Page: https://mycatholicschool.org/for-catholic-schools/catholic-identity/early-learning/
Items Covered:
- All: Please complete survey to determine your preferred meeting days/times
- All: First Aid and CPR training options during Covid
- All: Child Care Resources Virtual Professional Development Institute – FREE – 50 classes! November 16th – 21st – register by November 8th
- Licensed: Fingerprinting for background checks and education requirement extension
- Licensed: DCYF Annual Virtual Visits
Please bookmark the Early Learning Portal Page: https://mycatholicschool.org/for-catholic-schools/catholic-identity/early-learning/
Please complete survey to determine your preferred meeting days/times:
Throughout the year we will gather early learning leaders (occasionally and virtually) in small and larger groups to connect, share resources, discuss relevant issues and engage in a variety of Professional Development opportunities. I am hoping that you can fill out the attached survey so I have a list of the preferred meeting times for each of you. Then, as I am scheduling meetings I can make sure that I am scheduling during these times. My hope is that this will create a quicker way to schedule conversations rather than creating back and forth email strings. Please click on the link below and check all that will work for you! This survey is just for the Early Learning Leader, not the rest of your staff team.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HHG8VKC
First Aid and CPR training options during Covid
If you or any of your staff need to recertify your CPR/FA please find online options at the Red Cross at the link below. During the Covid -19 pandemic classes are not taking place in person. For now the online version will satisfy training requirements and are good for one-year. When in-person classes resume for CPR/FA you will complete the in person components of the training.
Child Care Resources Virtual Professional Development Institute
Child Care Resources’ first virtual FREE Professional Development Institute will take place November 16th – 21st and include trainings on best practices in early learning, informational sessions on our programs and the work we support, as well as facilitated conversations to discuss TED talks and articles. REGISTER by November 8th. Over the course of six days, the PD Institute will offer 50 sessions on early learning topics. All will offer STARS Hours! You do not need to attend all sessions and times – pick the classes/times that will work for you. Even if you do not work in a licensed program you can sign up for a MERIT account in order to have a STARS number to register:
Register for the Institute: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/ZZLZxAk/ccrpdinstitute2020
Non Licensed Program staff – Register for MERIT and receive your STARS number: https://apps.dcyf.wa.gov/MERIT/Home/Welcome?ReturnUrl=%2fMERIT%2fWelcome%3fLogout&Logout
Licensed Only – DCYF Updates
DCYF has released two updates on training and preservice requirements in the last few weeks:
The Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families is again requiring fingerprinting for background checks. (These had been suspended since March due to Governor Inslee’s stay home order). Child care professions who submitted background checks between March and September were conditionally approved. You now must complete the fingerprint check by 1/1/21. Those who submit a back check after 10/1/20 are required to complete and pass a fingerprint background check. It is important to note that the staff’s first and last name in MERIT should match the name on their ID. You do not want to use shortened names. If your ID shows a hyphenated last name, make sure MERIT has it hyphenated as well. Questions can be directed to backgroundcheck@dcyf.wa.gov or 1-800-998-3898 (option 4) or 1-866-482-4325 (option 4).
DCYF has extended the timeline until Aug. 1, 2026, for providers to complete the licensing requirement of an initial or short certificate – this was an extension of two years to complete this education requirement.
Licensed Only – DCYF Annual Virtual Visits
Some Licensors have started to reach out to our programs to schedule their annual visits (right now completing these virtually). When your licensor calls to schedule your visit please have the following notes in mind:
Ask for what materials they want to see so you can make sure that you have everything prepared in front of you so you don’t have to rush around to find things as you are virtually with them
Make sure you have a device that can travel with you as they will ask to see different things around your licensed space
Ask how long they expect the visit to last and let them know that ideally you have 1 to 1.5 hours for the visit as you are supporting your teachers and staff to maintain safety protocols and program quality during the pandemic.
Thank you – have a great week!