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Fostering the health and well-being of the next generation...
The mission of the Preschool Enrichment Team is to promote the future prosperity of our neighborhoods and communities by supporting the healthy development of young children so they become effective, contributing citizens and leaders.
Research shows that the early years really matter because early experiences play an important role in shaping the fundamental architecture of children's developing brains. When we help children build sturdy foundations, we increase their chances for future growth and success. When early childhood and after school educators have the professional education and skills they need to provide high quality environments and experiences, they can promote the healthy development of all children.
The Preschool Enrichment Team supports a skilled early childhood and out of school time workforce by providing training and consultation on core competencies, academic and career advancement support, NAEYC Accreditation and the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). It also assists parents and caregivers in their search for high quality child care.
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What's New
Educator and Provider Support (EPS) Grant
The Preschool Enrichment Team is the lead agency in western MA for the Educator and Provider Support (EPS) grant from the MA Department of Early Education and Care. The purpose of this grant is to build a system of support and education that will help educators increase their knowledge and skills to promote the healthy development and brain architecture of all our young children. The core areas of EPS are: educator and provider planning, coaching and mentoring, and competency development.
We want your feedback about our training opportunities! Tell us why you will or will not register, and what you like or do not like about our training calendar schedule and topics. Any feedback appreciated! Please click on the link below.
Click here to give us your feedback
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CDA Information Session
A CDA informational session will be held at: Shriners Hospital in Springfield on Wednesday, June 6, 2012 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
The session will cover a variety of topics including basic information on how to become teacher certified, developing your resource file, cost of the course, the attendance policy and applying for your CDA. You will be able to meet the instructor, past students, look at a Resource File and answer any other questions you may have about obtaining your CDA credential.
Please complete accompanying registration. Attendance to an information session is required to sign up for the course.
Please click here to find out more information about the CDA and the CDA Information Session.
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Massachusetts Early Education and Care Collaboration Assessment for All EEC Program Settings
The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) in partnership with the Head Start State Collaboration Office (HSSCO) is inviting early education and care providers in selected communities to participate in the FY12 Collaboration Needs Assessment Survey. This brief survey will assist the Department in identifying best practices, fostering greater cooperation, collaboration, coordination and transition to elementary schools and alignment with K-12 education around comprehensive services for children, pregnant women and families and support EEC s mixed delivery system for all children in the Commonwealth.
As a valuable part of this work, EEC encourages early education and care programs which includes child care centers, family child care educators, public preschool programs, kindergarten, Head Start and Early Head Start programs to participate in this survey which will provide an integrated response that reflects the diverse field of the early education programs in Massachusetts. Please visit the following link www.surveymonkey.com to share your input through this quick, confidential survey. This survey will be open for responses until Friday, June 8, 2012
If you have any questions regarding this survey please contact Jennifer Amaya-Thompson at jennifer.amaya-thompson@state.ma.us
Thank you in advance for your participation,
Best Regard,
Sherri Killins
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Important Notice to Child Care Providers, Especially Those Serving Infants and Toddlers:
Subject to the availability of funds, the Department of Early Education and Care is considering an increase in the infant toddler rate. Should this occur, only child care providers in Massachusetts who are participating by April 13, 2012, in the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) by having completed and submitted to final their on-line QRIS Program Manager application at least at a level 2 will be eligible to receive an increase in the infant toddler rate.
All providers must be registered in QRIS by August 31, 2012, to ensure future funding. If you have not already done so, register today!
The QRIS Program Manager (QPM) may be accessed through EEC's Single Sign-In application, along with all of EEC's online applications, at Online Applications for Authorized Users - Executive Office of Education " Mass.Gov
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Early Childhood Education: Springfield Tackles a Benchmark
The old industrial city of Springfield, Massachusetts, has a long history with the written word. Dr. Seuss, whose rhymes made learning to read fun, was born here. This is the birthplace, too, of Merriam-Webster Inc., the famed dictionary company. Yet for many Springfield children, learning to read is a challenge. Sixty percent of the city's third graders read below grade level, according to the 2011 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS), thus missing a critical benchmark that strongly predicts later success.
Click on the link below to continue reading.
Communities & Banking - "Springfield Tackles a Benchmark" |
If you would like to start receiving our newsletters/training calendars by email, please be sure to include your full name, address and phone number and program type (Family Child Care, Group Child Care etc.) Click Here
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Annual Conference
Our 32nd Annual Early Childhood Conference was a success with over 300 participants in attendance. Thank you to everyone for your continuous support! |
Early Childhood Educators (ECE) Scholarship
The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) and the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) are pleased to announce the release of the 2012-2013 Early Childhood Educators (ECE) Scholarship application.
How Do I Apply
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Brain Building In Progress |  | |
When you understand the sequence and process by which brains are built, it s easy to understand why it s wiser to start every child out strong. Trying to change behavior or build new skills on a weak foundation requires more work and is less effective than providing brain building interactions and environments early in life.
A public-private early childhood education communications initiative called, "Brain Building in Progress" developed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and United Way was recently launched. Its purpose is to raise the public's awareness of the importance of early years to the development of young children. Brain Building in Progress will highlight the need to provide the Commonwealth's youngest residents with high quality and enriching experiences to ensure healthy brain development. For more information please click on the link where you will find resources for parents, teachers, community leaders, and the business community.
www.brainbuildinginprogress.org
Department of Early Education & Care (EEC) |
New Initiatives
Family Child Care Literacy Project
The first year of the Family Child Care Literacy Project (FCCLP) has been completed. It was implemented as a joint endeavor of the Preschool Enrichment Team, the Family Child Care Project and the Springfield City Library. The second year is underway.
For more information about the Family Child Care Literacy Project please contact Cindy Hutcheson at 413.736.3900 Ext 105 or chutcheson@preschoolenrichmentteam.org
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