Child Care Providers » Blog

 
Your Voice Matters - Parents: Meet your Legislator
Take this great opportunity to discuss the importance of strengthening families.… Read More

Training Update February 17 2012
 … Read More

From the desk of Pam Ward
Weekly Update -February 10, 2012
Snyder’s Budget Proposal
Thursday morning, Governor Snyder presented his budget proposal for the 2013 fiscal year, which begins October 1, 2012. The overall theme was the need for the State to support programs and policies that assist with the recovery of our economy, including his support of a P-20… Read More

From the Desk of Pam Ward
Weekly Update – February 3, 2012
Autism Training
Judith Coucouvanis, MA, PMHCNS-BC, a nurse practitioner at the University of Michigan Medical Center, author and national trainer, presented “Focus on Autism: Do’s and Don’ts for Parents of Young Children”.  Close to 100 people attended, including parents, child care providers and other early childhood educators.
In… Read More

Why update your profile?
Each time a prospective parent searches for licensed providers in your area, your profile is your best advertising tool.
The client will enter the child’s age and any other relevant information into CONNECT and a search is performed based on the information you have in your profile. If you aren’t updating openings etc., you may be… Read More

The Cadillac Area Early Childhood Conference will be held Saturday, April 21st from 8:30am – 12:45pm.This year’s conference features Dan Hodgins. Dan’s topics will be “Creating the Thinking Child” and “Celebrating the Active Child”. Click on the link below for details and conference registration.
Cadillac Area Spring Conference registation form 2012… Read More

From the Desk of Pam Ward
Weekly Update, January 20, 2012
 
State Regional Resource Center Meeting
I went to Lansing this week to meet with Program Directors from all 10 Regional Resource Centers. The topic was implementation and support for Great Start to Quality. Directors shared successes and challenges, and received additional guidance from ECIC.
 
Great Start to… Read More

From the Desk of Pam Ward
Weekly Update – January 20, 2012
 
RFP Released
As many of you know Child Care Connections works on a contract basis with ECIC. The Request for Proposals has now been issued for the new contract which begins April 1st, 2012. We look forward to completing the RFP because it gives us an opportunity… Read More

From the Desk of Pam Ward
Weekly Update – January 13, 2012
Early Childhood Investment Corporation gives away 3,500 free cribs to increase infant safety in early learning and care facilities across the state
More than 900 licensed child care providers had the opportunity to trade in old cribs for new federally-approved cribs as part of a free crib exchange… Read More

From the Desk of Pam Ward
Weekly Update, January 6, 2012
 
Meeting with TCAPS staff
I met with Jame McCall, Jill Murphy and Sanders Frye this week to discuss the training needs of TCAPS child care staff. We appreciate the opportunity to brainstorm and to receive feedback from programs regarding the challenges they are facing. This awareness assists us… Read More

From the desk of Pam Ward
Weekly Update, December 22nd 2011
As the year draws to a close, on behalf of everyone at Child Care Connections,  Happy Holidays.
Congress Agrees on FY12 Spending Bill
From Michigan’s Children
With federal agencies facing the threat of shutdown, Congress has reached a $1 trillion spending agreement.  Included in the spending bill are:

$2.3… Read More

From the Desk of Pam Ward
Weekly Update, December 16, 2011
How do we know we are making a difference?
We received this message from one of our area child care providers. This is one way that we know we are doing good work.
“Hey Candice,
I just wanted to take a minute and share how our training is helping… Read More

From the Desk of Pam Ward…..
Weekly Update December 9, 2011
Great Start to Quality Sessions
Our staff has started to host sessions for providers to learn about and complete the self assessment survey as part of the Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System.  Feedback from the providers has been very positive.
Great Start to Quality Self Assessment Survey Tutorials… Read More

December 2, 2011
News from the Office of Great Start
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan has chosen Susan Broman to lead the new Office of Great Start.
“Susan is the type of leader we need to establish and build this pivotal office,” Flanagan said. “Quality early childhood development is the foundation  for successful learning and opportunity in every… Read More

Weekly Update November 18, 2011 
 
Great Progress on a Great Start
The following link is An Update on Michigan’s Progress in Meeting the Needs of Young  Children Great Progress on a Great Start from Michigan’s Children. I strongly encourage you to take the time to read this valuable report.
Curriculum Review Advisory Committee
The mission of this committee is… Read More

 
 
                                                    
Business Expo TC
Child Care Connections shared a booth with our Great Start partners, the Traverse Bay/Manistee GS Collaborative and the Parent Coalition. There were approximately 140  businesses showcased to more than 1,100 attendees. We had wonderful opportunities to talk about the Great Start System. At times we enjoyed sharing information about the Collaborative and Parent Coalition… Read More

Great Start to Quality!
 
We are receiving training on the process for the new Quality Rating system, Great Start to Quality. As this system is rolled out our work plan will reflect the supports and activities that we will be providing to Early Learning and Development Programs which includes centers and home based child care providers.
 
Migrant Head… Read More

Child and Adult Care Food Program
 
Sandy Pahl, Julie Forrester and I traveled down to Lansing for a Food Program meeting with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) CACFP Staff. These meetings are quarterly they give us a chance to connect face to face with the other 5 sponsors in Michigan and MDE staff, as well as gaining valuable… Read More

Charlevoix-Emmet Great Start Collaborative Meeting
 
Susan Chowen our Child Care Specialist located in the Char-Em ISD Boyne City office and I attended the Char-Em Great Start Collaborative meeting this week. Maureen Hollocker, the new GS coordinator and Mandy Peterson, Parent Liaison, shared information about the activities they have been involved with in the communities. The Collaborative has several committees… Read More