April - June 2014 - the Early Learning Coalition of Brevard

2014 Annual Provider Conference was a Success!!!
Point 2 Ponder
"If a child is to keep alive his
inborn sense of wonder, he
Coalition Connection
needs the companionship of
at least one adult who can
share it, rediscovering with
Quarterly Newsletter presented by the Early Learning Coalition of Brevard County to promote quality services,
him the joy, excitement, and
professional development and awareness within the child care and early childhood education community.
mystery of the world."
April - June 2014
--Rachel Carlson
almost come to a close! I have heard that closely as well. In addition to funding, we
many of you have experienced amazing are
Congratulations to Rachel McCarthy
Calvary
wi nner
of
Coalition
Greetings Providers!
On
day
Lillian
two
Hubler
of
the
conference,
delivered
an
Mrs.
Challenge!!!
Chapel
th e
(Merritt
Provider
Conference
February 21st and 22nd!!!
The
2014
conference
are designed to bring children out of
was
their emotional brains and into
their
another logical brains in a fun and educating
success! The theme this year was Play, way. Participants had a blast!
year
with
your
other
little changes that will impact our work. I will
Trivia
Connection
your commitment to the critically
mission
of
providing
evolves during the legislative session. If
early you ever any questions, please don’t
childhood education to the children of hesitate to give me a call or email
Brevard.
( 321.637.1800 ext. 2010 or
As the school year is winding down, the
If you are unsure which eligibility
eye on the future. A big part of that proc- Provider Meeting on April 9th. There is
you do?
happening in Tallahassee related to early
specialist is assigned to you, what do
Assume
ess is keeping close tabs on all that is lots of information to share and I will be
able to provide you updated
Learning. There is lots to watch! We are information at that time.
you
do
not
have
an
thrilled that Florida’s House of Represen-
eligibility specialist assigned to you.
tatives is interested in increasing fund- Thanks again for all you do!
Early Learning Experiences, We had two informative workshops are just a portion
B) Pick your own eligibility specialist.
Readiness and VPK programs. Additional
from Time to Sign, Inc., and Ms. Mimi provider conference. If you didn't make
C) Both A and B
support professional development, child
D) Call ELC and ask which eligibility
quality
the Stage for Success through Quality Outstanding Keynotes and a variety of
dynamic
speakers,
Mrs.
Lillian
Hubler of
Graham from Florida State University.
On
Friday,
Ms.
Graham
discussed
what
ELC
offered
at
this
year’s
it this year, we hope to see you in 2015!!!
the
importance of the first five years of a
child’s life. She emphasized the parts of
-Mariel Hicks,
Administrative Coordinator
the brain that shape impulse control
kindergarten
success.
Impulse
can
control
predict
is
assigned
to
your
[email protected].
of which are impacted by relationships
stress.
center.
The winner will be announced in the
in
next edition of our newsletter.
academic
Submission deadline is June 30, 2014.
Fun ideas to try during National
Week!!
1. Tickle children's taste buds with a
Crunchy Hawaiian Chicken Wrap from the
Recipes for Healthy Kids: Cookbook for
Homes.
2 .Encourage children to try new foods
by reading The Two-Bite Club in English or
Spanish.
early
childhood
programs.
Sky Beard, Executive Director
Senate budget has less dollars allocated
Provider Services Update
Happy Spring! For those of
Selena McNeely (321- 637-
and support of these
us in the Early Childhood
1800 ext. 2026 or
programs! Please do not
Education World, that also
[email protected])
forget to check the ELC
website calendar often for
the application process and
professional development
Provider Conference behind
to schedule your appoint-
workshops and trainings.
us, the Provider Services
ment. As the school year
As always, if there is
Team is fully focused on
comes to an end, the
something you would like to
preparations to make this
Provider Services Team
see added to our training
Agreement Application
would like to wish you a
calendar, please do not
Season as smooth and
successful summer. We
hesitate to contact me at
4. Engage parents by sharing Nibbles for
effortless as possible.
have heard the buzz
637.1800 ext 2063 or
Please be sure to contact
regarding some wonderful
[email protected]
5. Check out other resources on the Team
your Provider Relations
summer programs that are
Coordinator, Karen Heinly
being offered around the
Services Administrator
(637.1800 ext. 2005 or
county and would like to
[email protected]) or
continue our partnership
Jennifer Shields
Wellness Tips for Young Children: Provider
Handbook for the CACFP (page Produce
Placemats from Grow It, Try It, Like It!
(Book 1 –The Basics, page 29.)65.)
Health newsletters.
Nutrition Web site at: http://
www.teamnutrition.usda.gov
participating in the Federal Child
Nutrition programs may request free
print copies of Team Nutrition materials
at http://tn.ntis.gov.
8:00am-12:00pm
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Space Coast Convention Center
301 Tucker Lane Cocoa, FL 32926
Upcoming VPK Round-Ups
April 10, 9am-5pm
Palm Bay Christian Preschool
May 6, 9am-5pm
Season. With a successful
While supplies last, child care entities
Provider Appreciation Day!!!
7400 N Wickham Rd, Melbourne
director and teacher
"movement parade" from Nutrition and
Teaching Strategies
GOLD Pilot Program Participants:
Suntree United Methodist Church
further details regarding
3. Act out different animals or plan a
Department of Health,
2555 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera
April 24, 9am-5pm
The
means Happy VPK and School if you are in need of
April 9th
10:00am- 12:00pm OR 1:30pm-3:30pm
344 Emerson Dr. NW, Palm Bay
Readiness Agreement
Try This!
Child and Adult Care Food Program
dollars are also proposed by the House to
Assessment and incentivizing high
Please submit entries to:
and vital skills for school success, both
and
specialist
ing for direct services in both the School
Mandatory Provider Meeting
Checkpoint Three is April 29th!
[email protected]).
Early Learning Coalition already has its I look forward to seeing you all at the
A)
Learning, and Brain Development: Setting
legislative
important
Janua r y-Ma rc h
innovative
on sign language and other techniques that
this
tracking
learners. I continue to be inspired by continue to send updates as that process
You to all of the providers who attended to communicate with their kids through
year’s
successes
also
Island),
ELC would like to extend a special Thank presentation that showed attendees how
this
Dates to Remember
I can’t believe another school year has to early learning so we are watching that
Trivia Challenge
of
Welcome–
Jenifer Shields, Provider
East Coast Christian Academy
670 N Courtney Pkwy, Merritt Island
May 20, 9am-5pm
Calvary Chapel West Melbourne
2955 Minton Rd, W Melbourne
June 10, 9am-5pm
Rockledge Christian School
2175 S Fiske Blvd, Rockledge
June 19, 9am-5pm
Odyssey Charter School
Jr./Sr. High Campus
1350 Wyoming Dr. SE, Palm Bay
Got Books...
Ann’s Biz Quiz
About Naptime?
Remember, if an employee is injured at work and you are not exempt from workers’
comp laws due to employee size, you must report the injury to your worker’s comp
carrier. An employee who has a work-related injury has up to 30 days to report it to
the employer. Even if you do not think an injury is covered, an employer must still
The Napping House
The Truth about Child Care Centers, OSHA, ADA, and Workers’
-Audrey Wood
Comp
file the First Report of Injury or Illness (your carrier will supply you with this form)
with your insurance carrier for determination of responsibility within 7 days of
your first knowledge of the accident/injury.
Questions and answers for employers: http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/WC/
Employer/faq.htm#6
Just in case you’ve received some misinformation about child care centers having to keep OSHA
records, I want to make sure you have the right information.
Sesame
OSHA??? OSHA stands for the federal agency Occupational Safety & Health Administration. This
agency is under the U.S. Department of Labor and was created to ensure safe working conditions
for men & women by setting standards and providing training and compliance assistance. Most
employers who have 10 or more employees are subject to OSHA rules and reporting. But child care
facilities are exempt, which means they are not required to keep OSHA injury and illness records
Beginnings: It’s
Stay safe! But when accidents do happen… remember to follow the rules to avoid
further, possibly more costly issues, like fines, stop-work orders, and law suits.
Naptime Little
One
-Elizabeth
-Ann Beecham, HR Director
Verdick
unless they are asked in writing to do so by OSHA, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), or a state
agency operating under the authority of OSHA or the BLS. All employers, including those who are
exempt, must report to OSHA any workplace incident that results in a fatality or the hospitalization of three or more employees. Bottom line: under normal circumstances, unless one of those
agencies specifically instructs you to do otherwise, a child care center doesn’t have to keep
OSHA logs, report to OSHA, or be subject to OSHA inspections. Remember, we are discussing
-Laura Krauss
make sure you are in compliance with the requirements in ELC Agreements and/or mandated by
licensing (DCF). Be looking for more to come from the state on this subject.
Next, ADA stands for the Americans with Disabilities Act which prohibits discrimination and en-
gov-
ernment services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation. The provisions of the Act cover employers with fifteen or more employees. For those who fall under this
category, here is a link for a booklet that explains in very simple terms what is required of
Louie & Lilly’s
Nap Time
-David Scott
students: http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/smallbusiness/smallbusprimer2010.pdf.
For questions and answers regarding how the ADA applies to employment practices (like making
www.ada.gov/q%26aeng02.htm. Remember, these only apply to you if you have 15 or more
employees; the law does not make a distinction between full- and part time employees. Finally,
recently changes were made in the Florida statutes that govern child care to include a mandate
Naptime
-Elizabeth
Verdick
that all child care providers who are not exempt under the law must cover their employees
under workers’ compensation insurance. Even though this is a new law specifically aimed at the
child care industry, the law has always stated: “An employer in the non-construction industry,
who employs four (4) or more part or full-time employees, must obtain workers' compensation
often,
eligibility
specialists
get The beginning of the year has been an
calls from providers asking if they are exciting one for Brevard Zoo as it
going to be reimbursed for absences, etc. celebrated its 20th birthday in March 2014.
Unfortunately, the eligibility person is
In honor of this major milestone, the Zoo
generally not able to answer the question
has expanded Expedition Africa by opening
and the provider is directed to call their
assigned
reimbursement
specialist a new exhibit featuring Meerkats. These
precocious
instead.
and
entertaining
mammals
represent a thoroughly different kind of
All providers are “assigned” an eligibility antelope
specialist
who
can
answer
questions guests
with
a
won’t
very
soon
unique
forget.
nose
The
that
Africa
regarding missing certificates, dates of expansion also includes a brand new
care, and level of care. They are also African Rock Python exhibit. Here are
“assigned” a reimbursement specialist who
some fun ideas to bring the excitement at
can answer their financial questions.
the Zoo to your classroom:

coverage. Corporate officers are considered employees, unless they elect to exempt themselves
from the coverage requirements the law. Sole proprietors and partners in the non-construction
Quite
This can be frustrating for the provider- animal than what has ever been housed at
the extra step, loss of valuable time, and
the Zoo. Making the exhibit even more
disappointment that they cannot get an
exciting, the Meerkats are joined in their
immediate answer.
new habitat by a Dik-Dik, which is a tiny
small businesses under ADA in regards to public access and service to disabled customers or
accommodations for injured employees) see the first section “Employment” at this link: http://
Absences?
Much...…
employees and workplace safety, not children. Where children’s health and safety is concerned,
sures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, state and local
Will I Get Reimbursed for
I Love You as
Meet the Meerkat by
Read a book:
Darrin P Lunde, Meerkat Mail by Emily
If you are unsure which specialists are
industry are not considered to be employees unless they elect to be an employee.” You can find
Stop Snoring,
assigned to you, please call and we’ll make
Gravett; Rain by Manya Stojic; This is
sure you have direct contact information
the Tree by Miriam Moss
at this link: http://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/wc/employer/coverage.htm#.UyCyZbR6r-o.
-Zachariah
for your assigned reimbursement and/or
more information about workers’ comp and download the posters required for Florida employers
Bernard!
OHora
Eligibility Specialist
-Jonathan Allen
Make
a
meerkat:
meerkat
- Grace Doughtie,
“I’m Not Sleepy!”

eligibility specialist.
puppet
Create
like
a
the
example shown.

Active Play: A big box can
quickly
become
burrow!
a
meerkat
Cut holes in the top and let
your mob (a group of meerkats) play.
Meerkats
live
in
groups
of
two
or
three families with adults. taking turn
as lookouts.