PELC Newsletter September, 2023

The Panhandle Early Learning Connection is a resource for those in early childcare and education to find quality, up to date and professional training. The goal is to build a strong, effective and cohesive workforce in early childhood for the panhandle. The Panhandle Early Learning Connection is partnered with the Nebraska Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services and is funded in part by a federal grant. The group collaborates to deliver quality training in the panhandle to all who work with all children from birth-8 years.

Nora Robinson

nrobinson@esu13.org

308-254-4677

Words of Wisdom from 'Pete the Cat'

Written by: Eric Litwin, James Dean, Kimberly Dean

1. "No matter what you step in, keep walking and singing your song..."

Pete the Cat and His New White Shoes

What a great lesson to learn...we know things will happen that are out of our control. What if we could help our little ones know that: even if we don't like it, even if it upsets or hurts us, even if it changes our plans, we can keep on going. Teaching 'grit' is hard. Not giving up is hard. Adjusting is hard. But, life is easier if we learn that we can adapt and change and still 'keep on walking and singing!'

2. "Trying something new might be fun!"

Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party

Trying something new is scary! And, it doesn't always turn out the way we plan...but, IT MIGHT! Or, it might be better than we ever even thought! Helping little ones feel safe and confident enough to try something new can create a lifetime of adventure! Learning to try, whether it works out or not, is a life skill worth the risk.

3. "Not everyone is the same. But, being kind is always cool!"

Pete the Cat and the Lost Tooth

Imagine a world where kindness was the way of life...where differences were appreciated and accepted. Welcome to the world of preschool and kindergarten! Where, before the world starts intruding and 'teaching', children are children. Some run fast, some slow. Some can read, some can't. Some are tall, some are short. Some can eat anything, others have to be careful. Some have braces on their legs, some have wheelchairs, and some walk without support. Before they 'learn' about differences, differences are just part of life-and are accepted. We need to learn from children!

4. "Just remember to look for the good in every day."

Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses

Wouldn't it be great if we could put on a pair of magic sunglasses that let us see the greatness in everything and everyone around us? Maybe, just maybe, we can help children learn to 'see' the good in the ordinary. To see the best in others. To look for positive instead of negative. What a gift that would be!

"The best way to make children good is to make them happy." Oscar Wilde

Here is the link for the NECPRS website: https://necprs.ne.gov/

Please go to the website and check your account for any new/changed information!

Many of you have 2 (or more!) accounts, or a work email address rather than your own address! Also, check for spelling of your name!

With a NECPRS account you can...

Build your professional record.

Organize credentials and certificates.

Discover relevant local trainings.

Manage your program and employees.

Join Step Up to Quality.

**There is online training available on the NECPRS calendar.**

“If you make the world better for kids, you make it better for everyone." Kid President

The Introduction to Nebraska’s Core Competencies course is now available on Canvas!

https://www.education.ne.gov/oec/online-training-opportunities/

Use the link above to sign up and take a 1-hour introduction to the Core Competencies!

The Nebraska Core Competencies for Early Childhood Professionals has been revised and is available at: https://cdn.education.ne.gov//oec/core-competencies/

The purpose of the core competencies are:

-to define what adults who work with birth-5 years need to know in order to provide quality care and education

-provide part of the foundation for the state's development system

-define the levels of competencies for the development system for birth to 5 years

-provide those who work with birth to five to evaluate their progress through the levels with training, education and self-assessment

“Every child is a different kind of flower, and altogether make this world a beautiful garden."

Anonymous

https://www.nechildcarereferral.org/

This website can help working parents find child care...your child care! Parents can look for providers using criteria that range from the type of child care, ages of children, geographical information, subsidy and much more.

The site is also a great resource for providers to keep up with state changes or to get information from the state of Nebraska. Links to resources are available, as well as an FAQ section.

Go to the link above and join the network to update the information on your site.

"It is not attention that the child is seeking, but love." Sigmond Freud

The Early Learning Guidelines are part of Nebraska's licensing requirements for childcare providers. The ELG's cover 7 domains: Social Emotional, Health & Physical, Approaches to Learning, Mathematics, Language & Literacy, Science and Creative Arts. Each training provides 6 professional development hours.

Next grant cycle will offer both in-person and online sessions for the ELG's. Please look carefully when you are registering so you know which format you are registering for.

To register for an Early Learning Guideline training, go to:

https://forms.gle/jpmrSe3iUrmwE7qr9

Please Note: Pay attention when registering! Some trainings are virtual, and some are in-person! All are in Mountain Standard Time!!

Please see attached flyer for trainings!

"Time spent playing with children is never time wasted." Dawn Lantero

Safe With You is another license required training for childcare providers in Nebraska. This training needs to be done every 5 years-so, check your documentation to be sure you are current!

Safe With You will be offered monthly, with some sessions in-person and some online. Please be aware of the format when you are registering for sessions!

To register for a Safe With You training, go to:

https://forms.gle/Y7WLSU5xNR2SePLa6

Please Note: Pay attention when registering! Some trainings are virtual, and some are in-person! All are in Mountain Standard Time!!

Please see attached flyer for trainings!

"Spending time with children is more important than spending money on children." Whatsapp

Getting Down to Business is a license required training for family home providers. This is a 4 part training and will be offered on these dates for the coming grant cycle:

Saturday, November 13: Module 1: The Business of Child Care

Saturday, November 20: Module 2: Child Development and Learning

Saturday, March 12: Module 3: Procedures in Family Homes

Saturday, March 19: Module 4: Relationships in Family Care

To Register for Getting Down to Business, go to:

https://forms.gle/XiNsbXGJtkhTsa998

Please see attached flyer for more information!

You may register for one session if you are missing just one session!

"You have a lifetime to work, but children are only young once." Polish Proverb

The Management Training Program is a state required training for center directors. It is an 8-part series and attendance is required at all 8 sessions. This training will occur on the second Friday of the month beginning in September. Sessions run from 9:00-3:00. The location for these sessions will be decided after registration is complete.

Friday, September 15, 2023

Friday, October 20, 2023

Friday, November 17, 2023

Friday, December 15, 2023

Friday, January 19, 2024

Friday, February 9, 2024

Friday, March 15 2024

Friday, April 15, 2024 (9:00-12:00)

To register for Management Training Program, go to:

https://forms.gle/Ey9p4wwPBSz5W57a6

Please Note: This is an in-person training!

“Children will listen to you after they feel listened to." Dr. James Nelson

The Nebraska Early Learning Library houses thousands of books, DVDs, CDs, scientific journals, assessments, and curriculum materials that address subjects such as early childhood care and education, child development, parents and families, children with special needs, arts and curriculum support and more. The library is open to the public, including child care providers, early childhood educators, child care directors, elementary school teachers, trainers, parents, early childhood administrators, early childhood experts, and anyone else who impacts the lives of children and their families

Visit:

http://bit.ly/NELLibrary

"Play is the work of the child." Maria Montessori

Early Childhood Professional Development

Nebraska Extension has a mountain of training available! Visit the site below to find all of it!

Click Here:

https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/early-childhood-education-professional-development-programs/?fbclid=IwAR1VajLkpw-77VqW0JgSJ8dihFrCk086nrMQqAtq1hoiBx2q1bTcvH7RVWc

"Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression." Haim Ginott

The Launch Nebraska website provides tools, actions, opportunities and resources to support the complex planning and preparation needed by Nebraska school systems as they work to restart schools and support students as they transition back to school buildings.

A section for Early Childhood Guidance and Considerations for returning to District-Operated Early Childhood programs is now live on the site.

"The greatest legacy we can leave our children is happy memories." Og Mandino

The Child Development Associate Credential - CDA - is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education and is a key stepping stone on the path of career advancement in early childhood. The CDA credential meets Head Start, Early Head Start and Rule 11 requirements. There will be a series offered in the Panhandle over the next school year!

The CDA sessions will be on the third Friday of the month beginning in September. The location will be set after registration so we can find the most centrally located place.

To register for the CDA certificate, go to:

https://forms.gle/iEqmL25M2oZWMN538

Please Note: This is an in-person training.

Please see attached flyer for more information!

"Children don't say, "I had a hard day, can we talk?" They say, "Will you play with me?"

Lawrence Cohen

The NeMTSS Panhandle team, the Professional Development Department of ESU 13 and the Panhandle Early Learning Connections Coordinator/NDE are working together to provide the Pyramid Model Training for early childhood educators in the Panhandle.

Based on modules produced by the Center on the Social Emotional Foundation for Early Learning(CSEFEL), this training was developed by Dr. Jen Gerdes with support from Rooted in Relationships at Nebraska Children and Families Foundation and the Nebraska Department of Education-Offices of Early Childhood and Special Education, in partnership with the Nebraska Pyramid Leadership Team. The Pyramid Model has proven to reduce the number of challenging behaviors in the classroom and promote a learning community committed to responsible, respectful and safe expectations. The Panhandle partners of NeMTSS, ESU 13 Professional Development, and Panhandle Early Learning Connections are working together to bring quality social emotional and behavior training to those who teach preschool, kindergarten, first and second grade.

We will be finishing Cohort 3 of the Pyramid Module training over the first semester of the 2023-24 school next year.

Cohort 4 of Pyramid Training will begin in January 2024. The first 3 modules will be done over second semester, with the last 3 the following year.

Watch for information coming your way in the Fall!

"Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them." Lady Bird Johnson

Kristen RB Peterson is the retired founder of a magical place called Butterfly Hill Nature Preschool. In her quest to create a place full of play, learning, nature, emotions, and yes moments, Kristen discovered that play based learning is a MUST for all early childhood environments and is an advocate for play in early childhood. She is not just a teacher and life long learner...

She has four children, loves donuts, reading everything and traveling to new places.

Now a podcaster, keynote speaker, and online entrepreneur, Kristen uses her

experience and B.A in Education with an emphasis in ECE to help early childhood

educators find play, settle in, and enjoy the journey through training and digital courses.

To register:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/western-nebraska-early-childhood-conference-tickets-699651545607?aff=oddtdtcreator

Check out the flyer for more information!

Please note attached flyers:

Western Nebraska Early Childhood Conference

Child Development Associate Credential - CDA

Early Learning Guidelines - ELG

Getting Down to Business - GDTB

Management Training Program - MTP

Safe With You - SWY

NDE Online Training

Executive Function Series

Business Training Series - BTS

Healthy Routines

Special Care Training

FCCERS-3

ITERS-3

ECERS-3

DHHS Fingerprinting

Whole Body Classroom

This publication was made possible by Grant Number 93.575 Child Care and Development Block Grant from the Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.