JANUARY 2012

Sunrise/BCCCA Office Closed:  Monday, January 16th in observance of Martin Luther King Day.

Never Too Early, Parts I & II
Thursdays, January 19th & 26th (6-8 pm), Schools Out Children’s Center at 901 Main St., Bennington (former Curves site)
This two-part training offers an introduction to reading and sharing books and conversation with children.  Join us for a journey into the world of children’s literature.  In this lively, interactive workshop, you will learn the importance and joy of sharing picture books and stories with even the youngest children.  Through hands-on exploration of children’s books, receive an introduction to early literacy and related developmental issues.  Explore ways to create a literacy-rich environment, and have an opportunity to share practical ideas with others.  Discover strategies for making books come alive through animated readings, rhymes, and extension activities that encourage language development and communication.  Take home ideas you can put to use immediately in your program, along with a free set of gift books including Sheep Take a Hike, Peekaboo Morning, The Birthday Box, Green Eyes and many others!   Participants are required to attend both sessions in order to receive training credit. CC:  1, 3.   CDA:  2, 8.  AA.  Beyond Fundamentals.  BCCCA.  Priority is given to new providers who have never attended a NTE in the past.  Sponsored by The Vermont Humanities Council and BCCCA.

Fundamentals for Early Childhood Professionals Series
Tuesdays, January 24th – May 1st (6-9 pm), Northshire Day School, 5484 Main St., Manchester Center
This series introduces entry-level professionals working with young children and their families to skills and core knowledge areas including child development, teaching and learning, families and communities, healthy and safe learning environments, and professionalism and program organization. Participants meet the Level I requirement within Vermont’s system of ongoing professional development system for early childhood professionals.  The cost is $50.  To register to attend this series, please contact Jeanie Jenkins at CCV as soon as possible, (802) 447-2361.  This session does not offer college credit and the accuplacer test is not required.

Best Practices in Record Keeping for Family Child Care Providers
Saturday January 28th (9-11 am), The Old First Church Carriage Barn, Monument Circle, Old Bennington.
This workshop will help Family Child Care Providers learn about best practices in record keeping, and how to ease some of the stress of tax time by being prepared and organized. Participants will receive a binder to go home with.  This workshop will be Co-Facilitated by Gerri Barrows and Brenda Schramm.   Gerri Barrows is owner of Discovery Hill, a Licensed Family Child Care Program in New Haven, VT, Starting Points Networks Coordinator and Facilitator,  Mentor with Vermont Birth to Three Project, an observer for NAFCC, and a VCCPA Board Member.  Brenda Schramm is the owner of Chapel Road Preschool and Children's Center, a Registered Family Child Care Program, Starting Points Networks Coordinator and Facilitator, and Mentor with the Vermont Birth to Three Project.
This workshop is being sponsored by BCCCA, The Southshire Starting Points Support Network, and the Vermont Birth to Three Project.  There is no charge for this workshop. Preregistration is required. Please respond to Brenda Schramm at 447-0906 or baschramm@comcast.net if you wish to attend.  CC:  5.  CDA:  5, 6.  AA.

"Starting Points Support Networks:   A Conversation About Starting Points...
Where it Began, and It's Intentions, Where We are Now, and Where We're Going"
Monday, January 30th (6-8 pm), The Old First Church Carriage Barn, Monument Circle, Old Bennington
This evening will be an opportunity to meet with Jan Walker from the Child Development Division, and discuss the great work that has been done, and continues to happen through the Starting Points Support Networks, where we are headed in the future, and an open opportunity to talk about Starting Points from the participant’s perspectives.  Please join us whether you are a Starting Points Network participant or not. Come join the conversation.  Light snacks and beverages will be served.  This evening is being sponsored by the Bennington Cty. Starting Points Support Network.  Please preregister with Brenda Shcramm, 447-0906 or baschramm@comcast.net.

Infant/Child CPR
Monday, January 30rd (6-9 pm), Sunrise Community House, 226 Union St., Bennington
Richard Scheffler of the Bennington Rescue Squad will offer this CPR certification class to early care and education providers.  The $25 registration fee is due prior to the training; checks should be made out to Richard Scheffler and mailed to BCCCA, P.O. Box 829, Bennington, VT 05201 along with your BCCCA registration form.  CC:  4.  CDA:  1.   AA. 

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FEBRUARY 2012

Southshire Starting Points Network Potluck
Wednesday, February 1st (6 pm), Brenda Schramm's Registered Family Child Care Program, 2842 Chapel Road, Bennington
Please join us for an informal potluck supper, a discussion about upcoming Starting Points events, and an evening of networking.  Please bring an item to contribute to our potluck supper, and an idea (for an activity, transition time, or anything else) that you use with the children in your program to share with other early care and education providers. If you wish to join us, please respond to: Brenda Schramm at 447-0906 or baschramm@comcast.net.

Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma (SBS)
Tuesday, February 7th (6-8 pm), The Head Start Cottage, North Bennington
This Shaken Baby Syndrome session is designed for the general public and is wonderful for parents, grandparents, and early care & education providers.  It provides a basic introduction to Shaken Baby Syndrome, the cause, and outcomes of shaking a baby, as well as, why babies cry, and how to console them. This curriculum helps participants to identify stressors and safe ways to manage their frustrations.  It identifies what perpetrators look like, and includes interactive demonstrations and video.  Presented by Prevent Child Abuse Vermont and sponsored by the Southshire Starting Points Support Network.  Preregistration is required by contacting Brenda Schramm at (802) 447-0906 or baschramm@comcast.net.  Please do not register through the BCCCA office.  There is no registration fee.  CC:  1, 4.  CDA: 1, 2, 3, 8.  A.  I.  Priority will be given to Starting Points Support Network participants.

Advanced Never Too Early:  Peaceable Stories
Thursdays February 9th & 16th (6-8 pm), Schools Out Children’s Center at 901 Main St., Bennington (former Curves site)
This early literacy training is open to providers who have previously completed a two-part Never Too Early/Early Birds & Bookworms series; it offers an opportunity to deepen knowledge of early literacy gained from previous trainings, as well as from experience.  This Advanced NTE training will focus on socio-emotional development:  building on the NTE foundation; providers will learn how to use children’s literature to nurture empathy, compassion, cooperative play, and effective communication – emotional literacy – as they nurture early literacy.  Participants will receive a “Peaceable Stories” resource manual developed by the Maine Humanities Council and gift books for their programs including A Little Peace, If Peace Is, Stone Soup, Wangari’s Trees of Peace and many others.  PLEASE NOTE:   this is a repeat session.  This session is for providers who have not attended this Advanced NTE session receiving the above named books.  This will be the final presentation Peaceable Stories in Bennington County. CC:  1, 3.   CDA:  2, 8.  AA.  Beyond Fundamentals.  BCCCA. 

The Child Development Division Community Forum on the VT Child Care Licensing Regulation Revision Project
Monday, February 13th (6-8 pm), Vermont Dept. of Health Community Room - entrance through CCV
The Child Development Division (CDD) of the Vermont Department for Children & Families is embarking on a comprehensive revision of child care licensing regulations. CDD would like to invite you to be a partner on this very important project. CDD wants to engage parents, early care and education providers and communities in meaningful dialogue and consensus building to create regulations that are child‐centered, family friendly and fair to providers.  A series of Community Forums throughout the state will give people an opportunity to hear about the implementation process, discuss “what matters” when it comes to child care licensing and have questions answered by Deputy Commissioner Reeva Murphy and Child Care Licensing Director Sheila Duranleau. These community forums are presented by CDD in partnership local community agencies.  Please let us know you will be attending by contacting Sharron Harrington at (802) 447-6938 or sharron.bccca@comcast.net.

"Baby It's Cold Outside"
Wednesday, February 15th (6-8 pm), The Children's Room at the Bennington Free Library
Warm up your program with book suggestions and activities sure to appeal to babies & toddlers (& preschoolers, too!). Participants will also discuss the challenge of engaging children with books and materials in a multi-age setting.  Presented by Linda Donigan & Chris Poggi, Children's Librarians, Bennington Free Library, in collaboration with the Southshire Starting Points Support Network and The Vermont Birth to Three Project.  Participants will receive a book and materials to use in their programs.  There is no fee for this workshop. Please reserve your space by responding to Brenda Schramm at 447-0906 or baschramm@comcast.net. CC:  1, 3.   CDA:  2, 8.  AA. 

Sunrise/BCCCA Office Closed:  Monday, February 20th in observance of Presidents’ Day.

Autism:  From Red Flag to Diagnosis to Intervention
Thursday, February 23rd (6-8 pm), Mt. Anthony Union Middle School Computer Lab, Room #1228 (please follow signs)
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are impacting more and more children and families every year.  Early detection and treatment is critical for positive outcomes for children with this diagnosis.  Recent research has identified a variety of effective practices.  This session will give participants information about red flags, the referral process and strategies to support children with ASD and other communication challenges.  Rachel Blumenthal and Jennifer Clarkson-Smith have more than 25 years experience working with children with special needs and consulting with early childhood educators.  They recently took a course entitled “ASD:  Assessment and Intervention” where they collaborated to produce a resource document summarizing best practices in the treatment of children and families impacted by ASD.  CC:  1, 2, 3; CDA:  2, 4, 8; A; AA.  BCCCA.  PLEASE NOTE:  This is a repeat of the session presented at BCCCA’s Annual Conference on 11/5/11.  Please do not register for this session if you attended it at the conference.

Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid
Monday, February 27th (6-9 pm), Sunrise Community House, 226 Union St., Bennington
This class is intended for those involved in child care that have a duty to respond to a first aid emergency because of job responsibilities or regulatory requirements such as child care workers, teachers, foster care workers, camp counselors, youth organizations, and coaches for children's sports organizations.  It teaches how to manage illness and injuries in a child in the first few minutes until professional help arrives.  Topics include First Aid Basics, Medical Emergencies, Injury Emergencies and Environmental Emergencies.  The $25 registration fee is due prior to the training; checks should be made out to Richard Scheffler and mailed to BCCCA, P.O. Box 829, Bennington, VT 05201 along with your BCCCA registration form.  3 hours training credit.  CC:  4.  CDA:  1.  AA.

MARCH 2012

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Thursday, March 1st (6-8 pm), The Old First Church Carriage Barn, Monument Circle, Old Bennington
Statistically, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) occurs at a much higher rate in child care than expected.  During this session, participants will learn the definition of SIDS and gain an understanding of some situations and events related to a greater incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in child care settings.  We will explore the potential causes of SIDS, how to reduce the risk of SIDS, and ways to educate parents about these things.  We will discuss common myths about SIDS, and learn about resources available to child care providers.  Elise Anton will facilitate this informative session.  CC:  1, 2, 4.  CDA: 1, 2, 4. A. I. BCCCA

 Sunrise/BCCCA Office Closed:  Tuesday, March 6th.  All agency staff retreat.

Registered Family Child Care Home Orientation
Monday, March 12th (6-8 pm), Sunrise Community Room, 226 Union Street, Benn.
If you are a home child care provider, or are considering offering child care in your home, this informative session is for you!   Newly registered providers are required to attend an Orientation Session within 90 days of their registration. CC: 5.  CDA 5.  AA.  BCCCA.  There is no registration fee for this session.  Please indicate on the registration form that you will be attending, but do not include a registration fee for this session. (No fee for registration.) 

Early Childhood Day at the Legislature
Wednesday, March 14th at the Capitol Plaza Hotel and the Vermont State House
The 2012 Vermont Legislative Session will begin on Tuesday, January 3rd. The Kids Are Priority One Coalition’s leadership team has begun planning for the 18th Early Childhood Day at the Legislature on Wednesday, March 14th.  Mark your calendars to join hundreds of early childhood professionals, child care providers, parents, employers and legislators to discuss the needs of Vermont’s children and families and advance early care, health and education policies.  For more information, contact Kelly Ault, Organizing Director and ECDL Coordinator, Kids Are Priority One Coalition at kault1@earthlink.net or (802) 272-0795.

Southern Vermont Educators Symposium
Friday, March 16th
Maple Street School will be hosting the third annual Southern Vermont Educators Symposium in Manchester.  For more information, please contact Joy Stewart at jstewart@maplestreetschool.com.

Southshire Starting Points Support Network Tour of Spaces
Monday, March 19th (6-8 pm)
Please join us for a tour of early care and education spaces!  We will visit a variety of Family Child Care and Licensed Program spaces. This will be part one of a two part event - the second will be a workshop on inside space arrangement which will be offered during the next quarter (April-June). Please watch for details on part two in the next newsletter.  We will have snacks and beverages at the end of the evening. There is no fee to participate.  If you wish to reserve a space, please respond to: Brenda Schramm at 447-0906 or baschramm@comcast.net.  Once you preregister, an itinerary and directions will be sent to you closer to the date of the event.

Infant/Child CPR
Monday, March 19th (6-9 pm), Sunrise Community House, 226 Union St., Bennington
Richard Scheffler of the Bennington Rescue Squad will offer this CPR certification class to early care and education providers.  The $25 registration fee is due prior to the training; checks should be made out to Richard Scheffler and mailed to BCCCA, P.O. Box 829, Bennington, VT 05201 along with your BCCCA registration form.  CC 4.  CDA:  1.   AA. 

The Influence of Culture on Caregiving
Wednesdays, March 21st & 28th (6-9 pm), Old First Church Carriage Barn, Monument Circle, Old Bennington
As the early care and education field becomes increasingly diverse, the ability to collaborate effectively with parents and children from different backgrounds is increasingly critical to providing quality services.  This series offers child care professionals the opportunity to explore how one’s culture influences routines, caregiving style, and parenting choices.  Participant will also learn and practice an approach (“cultural reciprocity”) for resolving culturally based dilemmas with families.  CC:  2,  CDA:  2, 3, 4.  A.  AA.  BCCCA. 

 

APRIL 2012

An Introduction to Caring for Children & Families Experiencing High Stress:
Basic Specialized Care Service Training
Monday & Wednesday, April 2nd and 4th (6-9 pm), Sunrise Community Room, 226 Union Street, Bennington
This session is designed for providers who care for children under the category of Specialized Child Care and meets the Child Development Division’s licensing requirements for providers who care for families/children who are receiving funding for “Specialized Care.”  Providers need to attend this training prior to providing Specialized Child Care.  Mandated reporting, child development & the impact of abuse and neglect on children’s development, and resources and support systems will be discussed.  It is strongly suggested that every provider attend, especially those providers new to the field.  Six training hours can be used toward licensing credit for providers not identified as Specialized Care.  It is required that providers offering Protective Service Child Care, Family Support Child Care and Care for Children with Special Needs attend this series one time.  CC:  1, 2, 3.  CDA:  2, 3, 4, 6.  B.  AA.  BCCCA.

Annual BCCCA Family Fair!
Saturday, April 7th (10 am - 2 pm)
If you would like to join the planning committee or host a booth this year, please contact Jackie Myers BCCCA Board President and Co-Chairwoman of the fair at Lilpeeps1@hotmail.com or (802) 688-9570.  Please help us spread the word and share the news with the families in your care!  We’ll be sending out a flyer with complete information closer to the date.