Who's Caring for the Kids?

Illinois directors...be on the look out for a large white envelope arriving in your mailbox soon. The McCormick Tribune Foundation is sponsoring a 2008 update of Who's Caring for the Kids? The initial report was published in 2001 as a joint effort by the McCormick Tribune Center for Early Childhood Leadership and the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA). This report helped set the stage for many innovations in Illinois, including the development of Gateways to Opportunity, Preschool for All, and other educational opportunities for early childhood professionals like you.

Your Who's Caring for the Kids? packet contains a survey for you to complete as well as questionnaires to distribute to your teachers. Our plan is to combine information from all surveys to present the current picture of the early childhood workforce in Illinois. The 2008 report will be shared with policymakers, leaders of state agencies, and practitioners. It will be available online in September.

Because you count...make sure you're counted!

Online Discussion with Karen Stephens
Program Communication Strategies: Reaching Out to Families and the Community
February 18-23, 2008

Join early childhood professionals from across the country for a week-long online discussion with Karen Stephens. Ms. Stephens has been in the early childhood field since 1975 and is now director of Illinois State University Child Care Center as well as a child development instructor for ISU’s Family and Consumer Sciences Department. Her parent advice columns on a wide variety of topics, titled Parenting Exchange Library, are available online at www.childcareexchange.com. Beginning Monday, February 18 participants can go here to join the discussion.

Family Child Care Institute: Program Quality Evaluation
National-Louis University, Wheeling Campus Annex (Map and Directions)
February 29 – March 1 and May 17, 2008

This institute provides an introduction to program evaluation, stressing the importance of ongoing assessment to improve quality and practices. Participants will be introduced to the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-Revised (FCCERS-R) to assess the learning environment, the Business Administration Scale (BAS) to assess the quality of business practices, and other measures to assess parent satisfaction and community responsiveness.  In addition, participants will learn about the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) Quality Standards for Accreditation and how to begin the self-study process for accreditation. This training will be conducted over three days with the first two days meeting at National-Louis University in Wheeling, IL from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The final day will be held in conjunction with Leadership Connections at the Westin Chicago North Shore from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Enrollment is limited so reserve your spot today! For more information, download a brochure or contact Debra Trude-Suter at (800) 443-5522, ext. 5056.

Full-Day Technology Workshops

The Center is offering two full-day technology workshops this spring. The registration fee of $45 will be waived for the first 15 early childhood administrators who sign up. Funding is provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). To register, download a brochure and complete the registration form or contact Debra Trude-Suter at (800) 443-5522, ext. 5056 or debra.trudesuter@nl.edu.

Learning the Essentials of Web Design
Black Hawk College Outreach Center, Quad Cities (Map and Directions)
Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Begin the process of creating a Web presence for your program. Learn the basics of HTML, Web authoring tools, graphics, and design principles that you can immediately put to use. This full-day, interactive workshop will be held at the Black Hawk College Outreach Center from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A lunch break will be provided.

Exploring the World of Digital Photography
John A. Logan College, Carterville, IL (Map and Directions)
Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Bring the world of digital photography to your center. Learn about pixels and image sizes; capturing, storing, and sharing images; editing images; and displaying your images in marketing and promotional materials. This full-day, interactive workshop will be held at John A. Logan College in Room F111 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A lunch break will be provided. Participants may receive undergraduate credit for attending the workshop.

Leadership Connections – Hurry, Early Bird Registration Ends February 1!
The Westin Chicago North Shore (Map and Directions)
May 15-17, 2008

Join us at the luxurious Westin Chicago North Shore for this highly acclaimed professional development opportunity especially designed for center directors, lead teachers and supervisors, trainers and consultants, technical assistance specialists, and family child care providers. Three stimulating days of training, exhibits, networking, and fun! Meet and learn from national experts in leadership and program management. Total conference package is only $375 before February 1, 2008.

This includes:

• Thursday: Opening Luncheon and Keynote, Public Policy Forum, Networking Reception, Spotlight on Best Practices, and Pamper Yourself Activities
• Friday: Continental Breakfast, Skill-Building Clinics, Box Lunch, Marketplace, Meet the Authors, and Afternoon Ice Cream Treat
• Saturday: Continental Breakfast, Seminars, and Closing Luncheon and Keynote
• Plus: Executive Portfolio, Yellow Pages of Professional Resources, and LOTS of Raffle Prizes and Gifts

There is also a full day of preconference activities offered on Wednesday, May 14, 2008.

• Getting Ready for the PAS: This workshop provides an overview of the Program Administration Scale and a requirement for those seeking to apply for start levels three and four of the Illinois Quality Counts: Quality Rating System. Pre-registration required, $15. To register, contact Terese Amidei at (847) 640-9590 or tamidei@childrenshomeandaid.org.
• Chicago Children's Museum Tour and Documentation Workshop: Explore the Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier and enjoy a workshop on documentation. Box lunch and evening dessert reception included. Space is limited and pre-registration required, $70.
• Belmont-Cragin/Gertrude B. Nielsen Child Care and Learning Center Tour: Explore the Reggio inspired Belmon-Cragin Center in Chicago then tour the premiere Gertrude B. Nielsen Child Care and Learning Center in Northbrook. Box lunch and evening dessert reception included. Space is limited and pre-registration required, $70.

Participants can now register online. For more information including sponsorship opportunities, download a conference brochure or contact Donna Jonas at (800) 443-5522, ext.5058 or donna.jonas@nl.edu.