Early Learning Day of Action - June 5th

States are in the process of adopting 2013 – 2014 budgets with one key component being hit the hardest that is early childhood education.  When you hear and read the words early childhood education it is referring children ages 0-8 years.  One way to bring awareness to the importance of early learning is looking into different activities to involve your community in for “Early learning day of action” that will be held June 5^th.  The purpose is to generate as many press-worthy attention activities that will start and continue the conversation on early learning and the impact toward being productive citizens of the future.  Such events can be visiting child care centers and preschool programs to make parents aware of their role to inform other people, set up press conferences sharing key points to education, rallies, and others that will bring awareness to business community with community at-large.

Here are some key talking points you can share.

1.      The President’s plan calls for significant new investments in early learning.  It will (a) expand high-quality prekindergarten to all four-year-olds, starting with children from low- and moderate-income families, through state-federal partnerships, (b) expand high-quality early learning opportunities for children from birth through age three by increasing investments in Early Head Start and child care programs that meet high standards and (c) expand voluntary home visiting programs that support parents with young children.

2.      The research is clear – the first years of a child’s life are critical for their development.  Children who have high-quality prekindergarten experiences are more likely to do well in school and find better jobs.

3.      Too many children are left behind before they even start kindergarten.  Without the chance for a high-quality early childhood experience, hundreds of thousands of children come to kindergarten behind their peers.

4.      All parents deserve the chance to send their children to a high-quality prekindergarten program.  

An investment in early childhood education is crucial for all our children, our families and our nation.  It is time to invest in our children from the start and ensure everyone understand the goal of “Early Learning Day of Action” to keep it going after June 5^th.  Let your voice be heard!

Advocate for education: Let your voice be heard NC Senate budget

The legislators for the state of North Carolina are in the process for planning the 2013 – 2014 budget and the component for this article is the area of early childhood education (ECE).  Presently, the Senate budget is out for review and urgency to contact district and sponsors to have your voice heard how the suggested budget is going to affect children and their families. 

Here are some of the highlighted components relating to Education and Early Childhood Education.

1.       K-3 teacher assistants will be eliminated (-$142 M);

2.      Classroom teacher allocation slashed (-286 M);

3.      Additional cuts to instructional support staff, supplies and buses;

4.      Eliminate the maximum class size requirement

5.      The DCDEE budget transfers 2,500 NC Pre-K slots ($12.4M) for FY 14 and 5,000 NC Pre-K slots ($24.9 M) in FY15 to the Child Care Subsidy program.  Special provisions require that all Child Care Subsidy dollars must be administered by local department of social services (DSS) agencies, which means Smart Start would no longer have the ability to use Child Care Subsidies to boost quality and serve different children. 

North Carolina has been a state given recognition nationally and internationally for innovative programs for early childhood education (birth to grade 3).  Viewing these proposed budget cuts one must wonder will our children be prepared for the job market of the 21^st century. 

As you start your advocacy work, if this issue is one you support remember you must be truly passionate about it due to you may have to stand alone and articulate key points.  Advocacy starts with knowledge and learning everything you can and share with everybody because these are all our children. Conduct an online search for other advocacy groups that have your same passion, join the group(s) and stay involved.  Remember, having a support system will reenergize you for the cause when you feel like nothing is working or you are not being heard.  It is important to get information out through meetings, seminars, fliers and rallies for others to understand why they to need to contact district and state representatives.  Write letters to the newspaper and legislators (www.ncleg.org) to know what and why support or not support proposed bills before voting.   

These children cannot vote so they are depending on us to do what is best for them on this issue of education and others.  Advocate and let your voice be heard on their behalf.

Frday May 10 - Provider Appreciation Day

It is the time of year to say “thank you” to the child care providers, teachers, and other educators of young children everywhere providing a solid foundation for life-long success on Provider Appreciation Day.  This is only way day to recognize the tireless efforts of providers who work with children and their families members ensuring they receive high-quality learning environments and seek out needed resources.

If you are looking for some ideas to show your appreciation check out the list below.

1.      Have the child bring the teachers flowers and a hand-made card,

2.      Provide the teaching staff and others with continental breakfast such as muffins and beverages,

3.      Parents write hand-written notes of your appreciation to teachers and/or other staff,

4.      Purchase gift cards (local mall, theater pass, spa),

5.      Parents volunteer in classroom,

6.      Give goody basket (fruit, cookies),

7.      Gift certificate to book supply store (Barnes and Nobles, ABC Bookstore), and

8.      Bottle of favorite perfume.

As you think about the teacher’s personality the appreciation gift will be more meaningful to him or her.  Remember, it can be as simple as saying “thank you for all you do”.  The day is important to everyone who provides care to young children to know we see what they do on a day-to-day basis if they do not think so due to our eyes are upon them.