Early Learning Coalition Updates
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October 2011
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Race to the Top Recap
Florida has submitted an application for a chance at the Race for the Top Early Learning Challenge, a state-level competitive grant program to improve early learning and development. The purpose of this competition is to challenge states to develop models for transforming early learning systems to improve the experiences of children, families and professionals through data-based quality improvement. For children, this opportunity will allow Florida to increase the numbers of children learning in high quality settings, increase the overall quality of early learning programs, and coordinate comprehensive services for children across state agencies.
We will continue to keep you up to date as new information develops regard the Race of the Top grant. |
Florida Approves 4 Year Old Standards
The Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards for Four-Year-Olds (2011) were formally adopted by the State Board of Education on October 18, 2011. These Standards create a common framework and language for providers of VPK Education Programs as well as School Readiness Programs serving four-year-olds.
Based on collaboration with a state Panel of Experts, national and state expert reviewers, and public input from citizens across the state, the Standards for Four-Year-Olds reflect the latest research on child development and developmentally appropriate practices for four-year-old children. All standards and benchmarks are organized in five domains:
- Physical Development
- Approaches to Learning
- Social and Emotional Development
- Language, Communication, and Emergent Literacy
- Cognitive Development and General Knowledge
Benchmarks are available in two domains: the domains of Language, Communication, and Emergent Literacy, and the Mathematical Thinking portion of Cognitive Development and General Knowledge, further explaining what Florida's children should know and be able to do at the end of the prekindergarten experience.
To ensure all teachers of four-year-olds effectively utilize the Standards for Four-Year-Olds, training has been developed. This training is based on the most current early childhood research and is appropriate for all instructors and directors of programs serving four-year-olds. The training is titled Standards for Four-Year-Olds. Registration for this instructor-led course is available online.
The Standards for Four-Year-Olds will be available for purchase in late 2011.
An electronic version of the entire Standards for Four-Year-Olds document is available below:
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WANTED: Center and Faith-based Provider Representatives on the Coalition's Board of Directors
The Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County, Inc. is in search of its next Center and Faith-based Provider Representatives. The Board of Directors brings together representatives from the child care industry, private sector, childhood education professionals and community and government leaders to ensure consistent quality in early childhood education programs.
This is your opportunity to impact the future of the child care community in Pinellas County.
Do you meet the qualifications? You must:
- be a Center or Faith-based Provider
- have a current School Readiness or VPK Agreement;
- be available to attend/participate in the Board of Directors and Committee meetings;
- Board of Directors meetings are held bimonthly on the second Thursday of the month at 4 p.m. in Clearwater.
- Program Development Committee meetings are typically held bimonthly on the fourth Tuesday at 4 p.m. in Clearwater.
- Provider Support Committee meetings are held bimonthly on the third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. or Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in Clearwater.
- Serve as an ambassador for the child care provider community.
- Share provider feedback with the Board of Directors
- Promote Board initiatives with providers
Review the full Board of Directors membership description.
If you meet the qualifications and would like to be on our Board of Directors, we encourage you to submit an application.
Please submit your complete application to:
Janet Chapman, Executive Director
Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County, Inc.
5735 Rio Vista Drive
Clearwater, FL 33760
All Applications must be submitted by November 30. |
VPK Change Process
Throughout the year, there are changes to VPK programs and staff. All new programs and program/staff changes must be approved by the Coalition prior to implementation in the classroom. All changes should be submitted on the VPK Change Request Form along with any required backup documents such as education credentials or background screenings. Simply revising the original VPK10 or 11 is no longer accepted (according to state rule). Please be advised that the Coalition requires 10 business days to process a complete new provider application and 5 business days to process complete change requests. The procedure for submitting changes has been revised.
While we make every effort to work with the providers, it is not typically feasible for us to process a change "immediately". In the event that you have a teacher change that was unexpected, be sure to utilize an approved substitute until the formal change request can be processed. Failure to have an approved instructor/substitute or assistant in the class can result in a loss of funding. We would like to avoid that scenario as much as you would. Let's work together to ensure we are all in compliance.
VPK Change Form Instructions
VPK Change Request Form
VPK Compliance Policy |
Professional Development Survey
The Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas provides many training opportunities to practitioners in the early childhood community throughout the year. Periodically, we survey providers to ensure that the trainings are meeting their needs.
Please take a few moments to complete the 2011 Training Survey by December 2, 2011. A summary of the results will be shared at a later date. Thank you for your participation!
Complete the Survey Now! |
STEP UP Scholarships
Would you like to earn your A. S. degree in Early Childhood? Are you due to renew your CDA or CDA/E? College courses aren't cheap, that's why the Early Learning Coalition offers the STEP UP Scholarship program. Formal education can take your professional development to a new level.
A STEP UP scholarship provides assistance to directors, child care center teachers and family child care home providers who are renewing their CDA or CDA/E (now the FCCPC), obtaining or renewing their director credential, or continuing the A. S. degree in Early Childhood Education.
The application for STEP UP Scholarships will be available at the Coalition's website on November 1. |
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