News

April 13, 2023

Anxiety Disorder Fact Sheets for Educators and Childcare Providers

Anxiety disorders cause people to feel frightened, distressed, or uneasy during situations in which most people would not feel that way. Left untreated, anxiety disorders can make it hard for students to get schoolwork done or study. It may affect their relationships with peers and teachers, too. In some cases, students with anxiety disorders miss a lot of school days. Or they may avoid school altogether.

Nemours KidsHealth has compiled common anxiety disorder facts sheets that affect children.

Anxiety Disorder Fact Sheets

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). With GAD, children have many worries and worry much of the time. They may also have physical symptoms, like headaches, stomachaches, muscle tension, or tiredness.
Phobias. A phobia is an intense, unrealistic fear of a specific thing. Some kids have a phobia of dogs. Others have a phobia of spiders or snakes. A child with a phobia will go to great lengths to avoid the thing they fear.
Social anxiety. Kids and teens with social phobia have an intense fear of being judged. It affects them in social or other situations. They will avoid situations where they may have to meet new people or perform.
Selective mutism. Some students are too fearful to talk at all in certain situations. Kids and teens with selective mutism are able to talk, and talk well. But they are too fearful to talk in some situations outside their home or with people other than friends.
Panic disorder. Some students have panic attacks, a sudden and intense episode of fear. They can include physical symptoms like a pounding heart, shortness of breath, or dizziness. Panic attacks can happen unexpectedly.
Separation anxiety. It’s normal for babies and very young children to have some separation anxiety when they are apart from a parent or caregiver. But when separation anxiety lasts beyond the early school age years, students may have trouble coming to school.

Educators and child care providers can also access the Anxiety Disorder Fact Sheet information in Spanish.

News

April 12, 2023

BabyTalks Series: Supporting Infant and Toddler Peer Relationships

Children are born with the amazing ability to form strong bonds with their caregivers, but how do we help infants and toddlers prepare for peer relationships?

Join the Office of Head Start and their National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning for this webinar, and learn how infants’ and toddlers’ experience with others shapes their understanding of themselves and their relationships with peers.

This webinar will have English and Spanish captioning.

Webinar Details

Thursday, April 20 | 3 – 4 p.m.

Virtual

Learn More

In this webinar, Beth Zack, Ph.D., and Marley Jarvis, Ph.D., from the National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning will present research on how children build peer relationships.

Attendees will discover the importance of creating spaces where children feel like they belong and how this helps children understand themselves and others, as well as explore strategies and resources that help infants and toddlers build a strong foundation for a lifetime of healthy peer relationships.

To learn more, visit the “Supporting Infant and Toddler Peer Relationships” registration page.

News

April 11, 2023

PA Department of Health Gauging Interest in Free Cleansing Device

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) is currently evaluating air and surface cleaning devices and asking small businesses, nonprofits, child care providers, and similar organizations to express their interest in receiving such a device free of charge.

About DOH Cleansing Devices

These cleaning devices can eliminate viruses, bacteria, mold, and other pathogens from air and surfaces simultaneously. Free standing or wall-mounted, they utilize a standard outlet for power.

If funding is approved, DOH will purchase and distribute the devices, and two years of operational supplies, to interested Pennsylvania businesses and organizations at no cost to them.

Express Interest and Apply for a Device

All individuals interested in receiving a device must complete an application. NOTE: Completing an application does not guarantee a device.

At the moment, the application will only gauge interest in receiving a device. Should funding get approved, DOH will evaluate completed applications and award devices. DOH will award devices on a first come, first served basis, dependent upon:

the amount of available funding,
foot traffic at applicant facilities,
square footage of applicant facilities,
and COVID-19 risk.

Additionally, DOH will prioritize applicants with facilities in underserved communities.

Learn More

To learn more, visit the Pennsylvania Key website.

News

April 6, 2023

Child Care Career Openings in Pittsburgh

Are you looking for open child care positions? Early learning programs in the Greater Pittsburgh Area are hiring! See featured jobs for this week.

Child Care Positions in Pittsburgh

Group Supervisor, Infant Room

The Group Supervisor ensures the coordination of quality programs for all age groups. This individual will plan and execute the creative curriculum, use OUNCE and ASQ assessments, observe and evaluate child progress, and communicate with parents daily, scheduling conferences when needed.

More information is available online.

Interested individuals should apply at www.ywcapgh.org.

Infant & Preschool Teachers

Southminster Child Care Center is looking for energetic and caring individuals to join their team of exceptional teachers. They are hiring full- and part- time teachers in their infant and preschool classrooms. Paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, and health insurance assistance are a few of the benefits associated with these positions.

Interested individuals should email childcare@spchurch.org.

Preschool Teacher-Assistant

TLC for Kids is seeking a Preschool Teacher-Assistant to care for and educate 2, 3, 4 and 5 year-old children in a preschool setting.

More information is available online.

Interested individuals should apply at app.joinhomebase.com/loc/tlc-for-kids/job/preschool-assistant-teacher.

Lead Preschool Teacher

Little Rubies Learning Academy is seeking a full-time Lead Preschool Teacher to encourage the healthy intellectual and psychological growth of the children in our facilities. The Lead Preschool Teacher will teach and supervise children, while also motivating them to use their mental capacities and exercise their imagination.

More information is available online.

Interested individuals should apply at www.littlerubies.com/careers/.

Submit a Job

Trying Together highlights employer-submitted jobs on our website, social media, and in our newsletter.

Submit a Job: To make it into next week’s post, submit the Child Care Provider Job Post Submission Form.

All jobs submitted after Tuesday each week will be published in the following week’s news post. Publication dates may vary due to state and federal holidays. Unrelated jobs will not be included.

For questions, contact Heidi Winkler at heidi@tryingtogether.org.

Other Jobs in Early Childhood

ECE HIRE

Visit the ECE Hire website to view early childhood education job listings and helpful tips on interviewing, resumes, and more.

SUBMIT A JOB TO PACCA

Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) offers a Job Board for its members to post jobs for free and sends out submitted jobs via their Facebook page and e-newsletter. PACCA members can submit jobs online after signing into their membership account. For questions, contact Maureen Murphy at maureen.murphy@pacca.org.

Receive Jobs in Your Inbox

To receive the latest job opportunities, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook.

News

March 29, 2023

NAEYC Issues Call for Papers on Identity and Early Childhood Education

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) recently issued a Call for Papers for the fall 2023 issue of their online journal, “Voices of Practitioners.”

Themed, “Reflecting on Our Own Identities in Early Childhood Education,” NAEYC seeks stories that explore how early childhood professionals’ reflections on their own identities (specifically social identities) impact their work with young children.

Paper proposals are due by Friday, April 7.

About Voices of Practitioners

“Voices of Practitioners: Teacher Research in Early Childhood Education” is an online, peer-reviewed journal in which teachers provide a critical perspective on their roles in children’s development and learning. Published by NAEYC, it disseminates early childhood teachers’ systematic study of an aspect of their own classroom practice.

Call for Papers

Social Identities and Early Childhood Education

The concept of identity is complex and shaped by individual characteristics; family dynamics; historical factors; and social, cultural, and political contexts. Social identity refers to the group categories that each society creates and defines. These categories include race, family structure, language, gender, religion, and economic class.

Reflecting on how these identities intersect and influence practice can help early childhood educators understand and challenge how systems of oppression and privilege operate in early childhood settings.

Considerations for Writing About Social Identity

NAEYC is interested in receiving submissions that explore a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:

how your social identities have informed your understanding of the children and families you work with
how your social identities have influenced your teaching practices and classroom dynamics
the role of self-reflection and professional development in understanding and addressing how your social identities impact your teaching

Submission Guidelines

Who can submit a paper proposal?

teachers and administrators at any stage in their career working with young children aged birth to 8 years
early childhood educators with various backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives
teacher educators, particularly those working with associate degree students

What should paper proposals include?

Proposals should be 500-750 words in length and should include the following features:

an idea for a personal narrative essay that discusses identity and practice, relative to the broader issues of equity and social justice
a statement of the challenge or opportunity for reform the paper intends to address
a brief contextual overview of the submitter’s program (e.g., geography, the population of children and families served, etc.)
a key anecdote or descriptive narrative that captures the heart of the submitter’s message
bullet points of two to three lessons the submitter has learned from their experience and their reflections about it

How do interested educators submit?

Interested educators should email their completed proposal to editorial@naeyc.org.
Please indicate in the subject line that it is a submission for “Voices of Practitioners” Fall 2023.
Proposals are due by April 7.

Learn More

To learn more, read the full submission guidelines or visit the NAEYC “Voices of Practitioners” webpage.

News

March 27, 2023

Learn the Secrets Recruiters Use to Find Staff Online

With the ongoing staffing crisis, many child care providers are struggling to find and hire qualified child care professionals to work in their child care facilities. Despite challenges facing the industry, adjustments to hiring practices and processes may help providers find the staff they need.

If you’re struggling to staff a child care facility, join Early Childhood Investigations Webinars and Brightwheel for this webinar presented by Lauren Small and Virginia Marsh, and learn strategies to enhance online recruitment efforts and uncover more qualified applicants.

Session Details

Wednesday, April 19 | 2 – 3:30 p.m.

Virtual

Learn More

Attendees will learn:

marketing strategies
tips for creating job ads and career pages
tips for attracting qualified candidates
how search engine algorithms work

Can’t participate in the webinar at the appointed time? Don’t worry. It will be recorded. To view the recording, simply register for the event and you will receive an email with a link to the recording when it is ready to be viewed.

You can earn .2 CEUs for this webinar. They cost $15 from the University of Oklahoma when you apply.

To learn more, visit the Early Childhood Investigations website.

News

Advocate with Confidence

Join the Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) for this two-part webinar series on unlocking the mysteries of advocacy and winning investments in early childhood care and education.

Webinar Details

Session 1: Nuts and Bolts

In this session, workshop leaders will discuss milestones in the PA budget process and timeline, working within a larger strategy, and approaching your “target.” Join to learn about identifying, researching, and approaching your legislators.

Thursday, March 30 | 1 – 2:30 p.m.

Virtual via Zoom

Session 2: Scheduled a Meeting. Now What?

In this session, workshop leaders will review messaging recommendations, explain the Early Learning PA (ELPA) “ask” for early childhood care and education, and share adaptations of ELPA’s talking points for your use.

Thursday, April 6 | 1 – 2:30 p.m.

Virtual via Zoom

Learn More

An optional, third session will be offered on Thursday, April 27 from 1 to 2 p.m. This session is designed to help you to reflect and process your advocacy experiences. Join to get suggestions on advancing your advocacy.

To learn more, visit the Advocate with Confidence page on the PACCA website.

News

March 23, 2023

Child Care Career Openings in Pittsburgh

Are you looking for open child care positions? Early learning programs in the Greater Pittsburgh Area are hiring! See featured jobs for this week.

Child Care Positions in Pittsburgh

Head Teacher

The University Child Development Center is seeking a full-time preschool Head Teacher to provide developmentally appropriate care for the children in the classroom. The Head Teacher’s responsibilities include supervision, assessment, curricular planning, and support of our laboratory school experience. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least one year of experience working with children between the ages of six weeks and five years of age.

More information is available online.

Interested individuals should apply at join.pitt.edu.

Assistant Teachers

The University Child Development Center is seeking part-time and full-time Assistant Teachers for infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms. Responsibilities include supervision and supporting developmentally appropriate experiences for all children. Candidates must have at least 15 credits in a related field (early childhood, child development, etc.) and one year of experience with children.

More information is available online.

Interested individuals should apply at join.pitt.edu.

Summer Day Camp Counselor

The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh is seeking a Summer Day Camp Counselor. Responsibilities include planning, executing, and organizing summer activities in art, sports, drama, music, and other various areas. Applicants must be familiar with behavioral characteristics and skill sets specific to school age children, able to plan programs accordingly, and capable of adapting activities for group size and skill level.

More information is available online.

Interested individuals should apply at ymcaofpittsburgh.campbrainstaff.com.

Assistant Director

Carriage House Children’s Center is seeking an Assistant Director responsible for managing the day-to-day running of the Center. Through a respectful, constructive and energetic style, guided by the objectives of the organization, the Assistant Director will ensure the Center’s compliance with administrative aspects related to licensing regulations, accreditation and certification processes, personnel files, teacher professional development, human resource functions, and Center communications.

Interested individuals should email their resume to Sharon Amick at chcc@carriagehouse.org.

Child Care Providers – Assistant Group Supervisors

Early Bird Childcare is seeking professional and knowledgeable Child Care Providers who have a love and passion for working with children, and are creative, energetic, and self-motivated team players dedicated to ensuring the well-being of each and every child in their care. All Childcare Providers must be flexible and dependable, with at least two years of experience working in a child care center, or in a before- or after-school program setting.

Interested individuals should call 412-315-5679 or email their resume to earlybirdchildcare20@yahoo.com.

Kindergarten Co-Teacher

The Carriage House Children’s Center is seeking a Kindergarten Co-Teacher. Candidates must have a B.A. in Elementary and Early Childhood Education with a PA certification to teach Pre-K through 4th grade.

Interested individuals should email their resume Debbie Welch at chcc@carriagehouse.org.

Infant Room Teacher

Little Owls Learning Center is seeking a compassionate caregiver to take care of their littlest owlets. Applicants must be reliable, have experience in childcare, and be a team player.

Interested individuals should email their resume to littleowlslearningcenterllc@gmail.com.

Infant and Toddler Room Teacher/Assistant Teacher

Rainbows End Child Academy is seeking an Infant and Toddler Room Teacher/Assistant Teacher. The person in this role will create and implement lessons that will meet the needs of every child, maintain a safe, nurturing environment where children can play and learn, and partner and communicate with parents through a shared desire to provide the best care and education for their children.

Interested individuals should email their resume to rainbow2705@aol.com.

Submit a Job

Trying Together highlights employer-submitted jobs on our website, social media, and in our newsletter.

Submit a Job: To make it into next week’s post, submit the Child Care Provider Job Post Submission Form.

All jobs submitted after Tuesday each week will be published in the following week’s news post. Publication dates may vary due to state and federal holidays. Unrelated jobs will not be included.

For questions, contact Heidi Winkler at heidi@tryingtogether.org.

Other Jobs in Early Childhood

ECE HIRE

Visit the ECE Hire website to view early childhood education job listings and helpful tips on interviewing, resumes, and more.

SUBMIT A JOB TO PACCA

Receive Jobs in Your Inbox

To receive the latest job opportunities, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook.

News

March 22, 2023

OCDEL Ends Option for Director Instructor PQAS

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development & Early Learning (OCDEL) recently ended the option for individuals to apply for the Director Instructor (DI) Pennsylvania Quality Assurance System (PQAS).

Effective March 21, applications for DI PQAS will no longer be accepted or processed, and the DI PQAS will no longer be available as an option for individuals to provide training to child care staff. Additionally, individuals holding a DI PQAS will no longer have access to train child care staff, as trainings will be made obsolete on April 28.

Learn More

Directors may pursue a PQAS application and create their own content in alignment with competencies for which they are approved based on expertise and/or education. Visit PQAS Applications – The Pennsylvania Key for information on applying to become a Professional Development Instructor.

For child care staff seeking professional development in material similar to the outdated modules, OCDEL is supplying course content to replace the outdated modules within the PD Registry. All content in the PD Registry is offered by approved Professional Development PQAS Instructors in order to count for various professional development requirements.

To learn more, visit the Pennsylvania Key website.

News

March 21, 2023

Supporting Our Workforce: Child Care in Westmoreland County

The Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce will host this half-day summit to discuss the current state of child care for working families in Westmoreland County.

Panel discussions will highlight the current challenges facing the child care sector and the implications for working families trying to find and afford care; the impact of limited child care options on area businesses; and potential solutions to increase the availability of high-quality care and stabilize the child care sector.

Breakfast will be provided.

Event Details

Thursday, April 20 | 8 – 11 a.m.

Westmoreland Community College
145 Pavilion Lane
Youngwood, PA 15697

Learn More

This event is being held in partnership with:

To learn more, visit the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce website or view the event flyer.