We hope that the words you’ll hear in this video will help you whenever you are working with a young child using behaviors that challenge you. These words may not resolve the situation, but they are wise words we encourage you to reflect on.
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT FUNDS-COHORT (QIF-C) GRANT FOR LICENSED PROGRAMS
APPLICATIONS DUE DECEMBER 15, 2023
QIF-C FUNDS CAN BE USED TO PURCHASE MATERIALS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR CHILDCARE PROGRAM
Eligibility Requirements and Expectations:
1. Programs must be working towards/maintaining* an ExceleRate™ Illinois Silver or Gold Circle of Quality.
*“working towards/maintaining” ExceleRate™ Illinois = program administrator must have at a minimum completed the appropriate “Orientation to ExceleRate™ IL” training or currently hold an ExceleRate™ IL Circle of Quality
2. The same administrative staff member must attend and participate in three cohort meetings to be held virtually starting in February 2024.
3. Attendee must have completed “An Introduction to the Environment Rating Scales”. If needed, this in-person training is being offered on 1/27/23. Call our office for further information and to register.
4. Complete a self-assessment using the appropriate Environment Rating Scale (FCCERS-R, ITERS-R, ECERS-3, SACERS-U).
5. Meet with a CCR&R Quality/Infant Toddler Specialist four (4) times.
6. Develop a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan to support requested items.
The Quality Improvement Funds application can be found at https://ccrs.illinois.edu/files/2023/08/QI-Funds-FY24-Guidelines-Application-FINAL-TW-BE.pdf. Be sure to complete and return pages 5-7, the supplemental application C on page 10, and include all supporting documentation. Applications will be accepted by email to ccrs@illinois.edu, mail, or delivering to the Child Care Resource Service office at 905 S. Goodwin, 314 Bevier Hall, Urbana, IL 61801.
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE DECEMBER 15, 2023
Acceptance or denial notifications will be emailed to all applicants NO LATER THAN 1/12/2024. Further details will be included in this email.
THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE IN THE REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS – 75% OF FUNDS WILL BE ALLOCATED UPON CCRS APPROVAL OF ITEMS
If you have questions, please contact Tina Wiegel, Jenny Garinger, or Kathy Martin at 217-333-3252, option 3.
BRAIN-BUILDING THROUGH PLAY
From infancy on, play is an important part of a child’s life. For babies and toddlers, simple, playful interactions with adults help develop sturdy brain architecture, the foundations of lifelong health, and the building blocks of resilience. Through games and playful activities, children can practice and strengthen important executive function skills that will help them throughout their lives, including learning to focus their attention, strengthening their working memory, and developing basic self-control. The following handout series, developed with support from the LEGO Foundation, provides suggestions for games and play-based activities based on a child’s age. The activities for younger children are designed for adults to engage in with children. Activities for later ages allow the adults to step back, enabling children’s independence to blossom as they transition to playing more often with peers.
This link will take you a page that includes various handouts for different games that are appropriate for children of different ages. https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/brainbuildingthroughplay/
From: Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University <developingchild@harvard.edu>
THE TOOTH PROJECT
When early childhood professionals are attuned to the interests of the children in their classroom, interesting topics of study can be discovered. Check out the latest project example at Illinois Early Learning Project, The Teeth Project | Illinois Early Learning Project Learning Project, which took place at St. George’s Episcopal School, an independent school in New Orleans. In this project, one student’s visit to the dentist sparked an interest in dental health and trips to the dentist. At the end of the study, some children were so excited about the topic that they added dental floss to their holiday wish list!
Plants brighten a room and beautify your yard. But some indoor and outdoor plants can be toxic. To prevent plant poisoning:
- Keep all houseplants out of children’s reach.
- Know the names of all your plants, both indoors and outdoors. Consult a nursery or florist to identify unknown plants.
- Teach children to never put mushrooms, berries or any part of a plant in their mouths.
- See the Illinois Poison Center’s lists of toxic plants: mild/moderately toxic and highly toxic.
Access their free online poison prevention education training, educational materials and presentation tools.