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.

Items Covered:

• All: Updated Early Learning COVID-19 Guidance from the Department of Health
• All: Early Learning Roundtable Recording: Connections between Early Learning Program and Kindergarten
• Licensed Only: Training Requirements and Inservice Dates Update

Please see this week’s professional development opportunities and news: https://mycatholicschool.org/for-catholic-schools/catholic-identity/early-learning/

 

Updated Early Learning COVID-19 Guidance from the Department of Health
At the start of the Pandemic the Washington Department of Health published a Covid-19 Guidance document for operating Early Learning, Child Care, Summer Day Camp and Youth Development Programs. I have included the document in the weekly updates in the past when revisions were made.  The most recent version came out earlier this week on September 13th and I have included the link to the Guidance document below.  Some of the highlights in this most recent version:

• Updated recommendations for cohorting and physical distancing
• Updated recommendations for symptom monitoring/health screening at home
• General alignment with language for K-12 settings where relevant

Please take 20-30 minutes to read through the information just to refresh and bookmark this page.  I am more than happy to answer any questions about your program’s operation.  You should not see too many changes from past versions of the document and how you have been operating since the start of the pandemic.

Child Care, Youth Development and Day Camps during COVID-19 (wa.gov)

 

Early Learning Roundtable Recording: Connections between Early Learning Program and Kindergarten
Our first Early Learning Roundtable of the new school took place on Thursday, September 16^th. The topic this month was how Early Learning programs interact with each schools Kindergarten teacher/s throughout the year. Please see the link below for a recording of the roundtable.  If you were unable to attend, could you please email me by next Monday how your program interacts with the kindergarten staff at your school.   Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas.  When I receive all the responses, I will put together a document and share with everyone.  Please see recording below:

Link to Recording:  https://vimeo.com/607583588

 

Licensed Only: Training Requirements and Inservice Dates Update

DCYF has published a user friendly document that gives good information for both Existing Staff and New Hires and their training requirement options during COVID-19.  Please see link below and print off or save for your reference.  The document covers CPR/FA, Blood Borne Pathogens, Child Care Basics and more.  Please reach out to me if you have any questions about your staff’s training or onboarding requirements.

COVID-19-el-training.pdf (wa.gov)

As a reminder in the year 2022 the 10 hours of annual in-service (STARS) will be changing to a calendar year instead of a fiscal year.  That means that you and all staff on your team need to have 10 hours of in-service (STARS) completed between July 1^st 2020 – December 31^st 2021.  This was really helpful during the pandemic to have 18 months to complete the 10 hours instead of 12 months.  If you have any questions about STARS in-service hours please let me know and please check with your team to make sure they will get to 10 hours in this 18 month window prior to the end of December!

Thank you and have a wonderful week!