Our team at Child Care Aware of Northwest Washington is wishing you holidays filled with fun and laughter. May you have a happy, safe and prosperous new year.
Our team at Child Care Aware of Northwest Washington is wishing you holidays filled with fun and laughter. May you have a happy, safe and prosperous new year.
Child Care Aware of NW Washington is thrilled to welcome Delenee Brugman to our team as the Early Achievers Lead in Mt. Vernon, serving Island and Skagit Counties. Delenee brings an outstanding mix of business and management skills, as well as a passion for children and learning.
Ten years ago, Delenee left a successful real estate career to earn her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Her journey to Child Care Aware included working as an English Language arts tutor, as a kindergarten aid, an after-school program teacher, and as a co-founder of a preschool in a rural farm community.
As an Early Achievers Lead, Delenee supervises five Early Achievers coaches who work from our Mt. Vernon office. Altogether, our Mt.Vernon team provides free coaching and consultation to 103 child care providers located from Whidbey Island to Marblemount. “We ultimately empower our youngest learners to reach their full potential, and we do it through supportive relationships amongst people with the same heart and with the same goal.”
If you are a new or aspiring child care provider in Island, Skagit, San Juan, Snohomish, or Whatcom County, we are here to support you. Reach out to learn more about Early Achievers and how it benefits child care programs, children, and families.
Washington’s child care system is in crisis. There is not enough high-quality care available to meet demand. Care that is available is often so expensive it is out of reach for many working families. Kids are arriving at kindergarten unprepared for school. Providers often earn so little they rely on public assistance.
Your voice and experience matter! By investing in high-quality, affordable child care, we can increase access and provide more children with the opportunity to attend high-quality programs that prepare them for school and beyond.
Join child care providers and other early learning professionals to learn more about the legislative process and how you can make yourself heard in Olympia. Learn effective ways to share your experience as a small business owner, child care employee, or concerned resident. Participants are strongly encouraged to share their stories.
Please RSVP so we can arrange for enough seating:
December 13, 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Everett
December 17, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Lynnwood
Child Care Aware of NW Washington seeks a full-time Early Achievers Coach to work from our Bellingham office. To view the full job announcement and to apply, please click here to visit the Opportunity Council Employment page.
Pay range is $20.11 to $25.13 per hour. Application period closes at 4 p.m. on November 14, 2018.
Early Achievers Coaches provide resources and support to child care programs enrolled in Early Achievers. Coaches focus on program enrollment, self-assessment, training, understanding of policies and procedures, meeting quality standards, preparation for a successful site evaluation/rating, and ongoing post-rating coaching services.
We are fun, supportive team devoted to children and early learning. Join us!
Join Kat Kayser and Sarah Birch for a new training about how to incorporate nutrition and exercise into early learning programs. Participate in hands-on activities and learn best practices for adult-led activities and meaningful meal times that you can immediately apply to your child care program.
This is a fun, interactive class! Kat and Sarah will raffle free prizes at the end of the training.
Registration open now, but spots are limited. Join us!
Visit the event page here to register in advance for the training.
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) recently announced important news for Early Achievers participants:
Needs-Based GrantsThe Needs-Based Grant applications for the 2018-2019 fiscal year are now open. Eligibility requirements have not changed from prior years. Early Achievers participants are eligible if they are either participating in Level 2 activities or have been rated Level 2, and they are either: 1) Enrolled in the Tier 1 food program, or 2) Live within a school district that serves at least 20% children from families with low incomes.
Providers can submit their applications either online via the new WA Compass Provider Portal or on a paper application. Paper applications will only be accepted through the end of this year, however. Family home child care providers need to get a signature from their Child Care Aware of Washington Early Achievers coach prior to submitting their applications. Full details can be found online at https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/early-learning-providers/early-achievers/pre-rating
Electronic Time & AttendanceThe electronic time and attendance milestone for subsidy providers has been extended to November 1, 2018. There are additional deadlines. Please read all the details on DCYF’s website here https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/early-learning-providers/electronic-attendance-system to make sure you are up-to-speed on this important effort.
Accreditation PointsDCYF has added the National Accreditation Commission (NAC) and AdvancED to the list of recognized accrediting bodies within Early Achievers. As of September 16, 2018 (cohort 6), providers with current accreditation from either of these organizations will be eligible to receive the five accreditation points in Early Achievers and an Area of Specialization. Full details can be found online at https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/ea/AccreditationFAQ2018.pdf.
Please contact your Early Achievers Coach with questions. Thanks!