News

April 29, 2020

The Basics of Starting a Child Care Business

Are you a current or aspiring child care director? Join Marnie Forestieri, Founder and CEO of Young Innovators, on May 13 for her webinar, “The Basics of Starting a Child Care Business.”

About

This webinar is ideal for current and aspiring child care directors and entrepreneurs, featuring practical and approachable guidance through all facets of starting a child care center. Participants will learn how to:

    • decode the economics of the child care business;
    • write a comprehensive business plan;
    • conduct a market analysis;
    • prepare a thorough financial plan;
    • plan the company’s organization, strategy, and implementation; and
    • apply for financing.

This webinar will be of particular interest to pre-k teachers, directors, and aspiring child care entrepreneurs. Time for questions will be provided.

Registration

To register and learn more, visit the event webpage.

News

April 7, 2020

Attending to Risks for Abuse and Neglect During COVID-19 Pandemic

Families caring for young children during this time with little outside social support or respite can be at risk for an increase in harsh disciplinary practices, abuse, or neglect. If you are an early learning professional, join Zero to Three on April 29 for their webinar, “Attending to Risks of Abuse and Neglect During COVID-19 Pandemic Response: Early Childhood Educators.”

About

Recent protocols around social distancing and sheltering in place have created substantial changes in family lifestyles and professional practice. For some families, staying home together has had positive impacts on their quality of time together, strengthening relationships. For many families, this social isolation is also coupled with anxiety around health concerns and financial security.

Objectives

During this webinar, early childhood educators will learn the following:

    • how to assess and address risks and signs of abuse and neglect in an early childhood education setting while simultaneously adjusting protocols specific to COVID-19 in these settings;
    • how to maintain relationships through virtual contacts when programs are closed and assess risk through virtual interactions;
    • the importance of reflective practice for early childhood educators who are often facing many of their own individual and family challenges during this time; and
    • about resources specific to early childhood education.

Register

To register, visit the event webpage.

News

February 3, 2020

Learning to Listen: Conversations for Change

Join Brazelton Touchpoints Center for the Learning to Listen webinar series as they celebrate Dr. Brazelton’s enduring legacy by learning from other masterful communicators about what children and parents have taught them through the power of listening.

Available Times & Topics

The series includes three webinars:

  • Learning with Parents: Children on the Autism Spectrum and the Arts | April 15, 2020 at 3 p.m.
  • Marriage Equality and Same-Sex Parenting from the Frontlines | June 3, 2020 at 3 p.m.

Visit the event page to register and learn more.

About T. Berry Brazelton, MD

T. Berry Brazelton, MD (1918 – 2018) foresaw the many new challenges facing families today, including the interference of social media and digital technology with family relationships and child development, and their polarizing effects on public debate. Brazelton was a master of the kind of observation and listening so desperately needed today, and helped generations of parents and professionals around the world to learn to listen to babies, children, and to each other.

News

August 9, 2019

Power to the Profession Task Force Seeks Feedback

The Power to the Profession (P2P) National Task Force recently shared their next decision cycle draft, encouraging review and response. These Decision Cycles address the resources, infrastructure, and accountability structures needed across states and systems to support a prepared, diverse, well-compensated early childhood education profession. The draft is available in English and Spanish.

About the Task Force

The Power to the Profession (P2P) Task Force, in collaboration with thousands of educators, individual stakeholders, and partner organizations, is working toward a bold and audacious vision for a unified early childhood education profession. This profession will have clear roles and responsibilities, professional cohesion, and commensurate compensation. This will ensure every child, beginning at birth, has the opportunity to benefit from high-quality early childhood education, delivered by an effective, diverse, well-prepared, and well-compensated workforce.

Read the Decision Cycles 7+8 Discussion Draft.

Provide Your Feedback

Feedback will be accepted through September 13, 2019, and should be submitted via the online survey. Additional written comments can be submitted via email at p2p@naeyc.org.

More Information

For questions, review the updated P2P Frequently Asked Questions. Community members are also invited to sign up for Virtual Office Hours to ask questions, give feedback, or explore how you can build on your work to advance the early childhood education profession.

*Information provided by the P2P Task Force

News

August 2, 2019

#WeArePPS Event

This August, Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) will be hosting its annual back to school event, #WeArePPS.

About

Every year, the district welcomes thousands of families through this event that is designed to help equip them with the resources necessary to achieve a healthy start to the 2019-20 school year. #WeArePPS is open to all current PPS students and will include a parent resource fair. This event is in alignment with the district’s mission to serve students and schools and create effective family and community partnerships in every school.

More Information

For more information or questions, call the PPS Parent Hotline at 412.529.HELP (412.529.4357) or email parenthotline@pghschools.org. The hotline operates Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

News

August 1, 2019

5th Annual Back to School Giveaway

Join Pennsylvania State Representative Ed Gainey on Saturday, August 17 at Destiny International Ministry for the 5th Annual Back to School Giveaway!

About

Pittsburgh students should start the 2019 school year off right! Students in grades K through 5 who stop by on August 17 will receive a backpack and school supplies. In addition, families will enjoy helpful information on state programs for kids, safety information, food, and music.

Students must be present to receive a backpack. All are welcome.

Questions

For questions, contact 412.665.5502.

Donate Supplies

If you or your business is interested in donating supplies, backpacks, or food, contact Representative Gainey’s office at 412.665.5502.

Share this flyer with your network.

News

July 9, 2019

Back-to-School Bash

Join the Latino Community Center on August 24 for their Back to School Bash at PNC Park!

About

The Back-to-School Bash is a great opportunity for both parents and providers! For parents, celebrate the day with your children and enjoy live music, activities, and food while learning about programs available in your region! For providers, enjoy the day while connecting with the Latino community!

Activities

The event will feature:

  • a book bag and school supply giveaway,
  • children’s activities,
  • a DJ,
  • a meet and greet with the Pirates,
  • a taco bar,
  • and more!

Learn More

To learn more and ask questions, email Emily Blair at eblair@latinocommunitycenter.org.

Interested in hosting a table at the event? Click here to register. 

News

May 9, 2019

Historic Increases for Early Learning & Development Programs

The House Appropriations Committee recently approved the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education spending bill for FY2020, which outlines funding for early care and learning programs critical to babies’ development. The first three years are a time in development unmatched by any other later point in life. But the recently released State of Babies Yearbook: 2019 reveals troubling early warning signs that too many young children face conditions that place their development – and our future – at risk.

About the Bill

The bill includes historic increases to key early learning and development programs that can help to reverse this path we have set for our future, including:

    • An increase of $2.4 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant;
    • $525 million increase in the set-aside for the expansion of Early Head Start, including through EHS-Child Care Partnerships;
    • Doubling of the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Grant Program, to a total of $10 million; and
    • An increase of $21.3 million for Part C Early Intervention.

By laying the foundation today for 12 million infants and toddlers living in the U.S., we are investing in our society’s future.

Learn More

To learn more, see Zero to Three’s full statement.

*Information provided by Zero to Three

News

April 5, 2019

Learning to Listen: Webinar Series

Join Brazelton Touchpoints Center for the Learning to Listen webinar series, as they celebrate Dr. Brazelton’s enduring legacy by learning from other masterful communicators about what children and parents have taught them through the power of listening.

Available Times & Topics

The series includes three webinars:

  • May 21, 2019, 2:00 PM: Listen With More than Our Ears: Helping Children through Simple, Ordinary Interactions
  • Jun 4, 2019, 12:00 PM: Topic Name Not Listed

To register for these webinars, visit their registration page.

About T. Berry Brazelton, MD

T. Berry Brazelton, MD (1918 – 2018) foresaw the many new challenges facing families today, including the interference of social media and digital technology with family relationships and child development, and their polarizing effects on public debate. Brazelton was a master of the kind of observation and listening so desperately needed today, and helped generations of parents and professionals around the world to learn to listen to babies, children and to each other.

News

January 4, 2019

Coats and Car Seats: Keeping Your Child Warm

Winter means keeping kids warm, but did you know that babies and young children should NOT wear puffy coats or snowsuits when in their car seat?

What Happens?

As demonstrated by the video below, coats or snowsuits can compress under the harness of a car seat, sometimes up to four inches. When this happens, the compression can cause the straps of your child’s car seat to not fit properly, creating a dangerous situation. This situation can also happen with sleeping bags for babies, creating an unsafe ride for your baby.

Recommendations

If you’re looking for ways to keep your baby or young child warm while in a car seat, consider incorporating the following recommendations:

  • Dress your baby or young child in snug layers, like onesies and leggings. Add long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat, shoes, and socks. You can even include a jacket.
  • For babies, use covers specifically for car seats that are designed to give warmth. These covers should be approved by the car-seat manufacturer for your specific car seat.
  • For older babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners, after securing them in the car seat, turn their coat around and put it on backward (arms through the armholes) so the coat is on top of the harness, or use a blanket in the car.

*Information provided by the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL)