Childcare Workers are Essential to Essential Workers
Many thanks have been expressed to the essential and emergency personnel that are working hard to keep us safe and healthy during the COVID-19 Pandemic. And many thanks should be given. I have noticed though, that childcare workers have not
It’s Okay to Do Nothing
It seems as though we are all trying to cram our days with activities. Activities for our children, home improvement projects, meditation, exercise, trying new recipes, keeping in touch with family members remotely, reading our entire book list—you get the
Census Day April 1, 2020- No Fooling!
April 1, 2020 is being observed nationwide as Census Day. By this date, every home should have received an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. Many of our partners provided workshops and information sessions to their communities about the
Celebrate International SEL Day
Tomorrow, Friday March 27, 2020 is International SEL Day! Join SEL4CT on their Facebook page where they will be virtually celebrating this special day! Are you making time for mindfulness? Are you working to communicate clearly, setting healthy expectations and boundaries, maintaining a routine, practicing self-compassion, figuring out your technology
Pritzker Children’s Initiative: COVID-19 Resources
Below you can find a variety of resources to keep you up-to-date on COVID-19. All content is courtesy of Pritzker Children's Initiative. Please click the colored type to read more. Policy and Advocacy Families First Coronavirus Response Act Earlier this week, the House
COVID-19 Helpful Hints
Useful Information for Parents and Providers Regarding the COVID-19 Virus If there is a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, local public health officials may decide to temporarily close schools and childcare centers to help slow the spread of the virus. Schools
Talking to Children About COVID-19
There's a lot of news coverage about the outbreak of COVID-19 and it can be overwhelming for parents and frightening to kids. The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages parents and others who work closely with children to filter information and talk
Top 10 Indoor Activities for Toddlers
Get out the cardboard boxes and create! Let the imaginations flow. A box can be anything: a train, ramps for cars, an airplane, a house. Tape up the doorway and throw some newspapers (or cotton balls!) at it to see if you can
Activities to Keep Little Ones Busy
Sometimes the best thing for kids to do during times of worry and stress is to keep their minds and bodies active. Teachers may need support in gathering materials for students to take home in the event of school closures
Indoor Activities for School-Age Children
Art Unfortunately, there isn’t always a lot of time in the day for art and creativity. Indoor recess is the perfect opportunity to break out the art supplies. Fun Centers Most of the time centers are tied to academics. Indoor recess is a
Children’s Books on Hand Washing and Germs
Sometimes kids learn best when they can relate to a situation—books are the best vehicle for kids learning about difficult situation and being able to empathize with the story’s characters. Offering these books to children may help them contextualize the
West Hartford Great by 8
On February 24, 2020 West Hartford’s Great by 8, led by Amy Yarbrough, a program of the Bridge Family Center held its monthly Collaborative meeting. Their special guest was Catherine Marx with Census2020. The Census is given every ten years and
Southington Healthy Family Funfest!
On Sunday February 23, 2020 the Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington took part in the 11th Annual Southington Healthy Family Funfest, which took place at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville. This local community festival focuses on all aspects of
Keep Calm, Keep Learning
The LEARN Regional Education Service Center (RESC) in Old Lyme hosted a symposium on February 7, 2020 entitled Keep Calm, Keep Learning: helping our youngest students stay in control and in school. The focus of the day was centered on
Stamford Annual Community Convening
On February 7, 2020 Stamford Cradle to Career held its Annual Community Convening at UCONN’s Stamford Campus. It was a morning full of learning, sharing, and community action. It is evident that Stamford supports its Cradle to Career initiatives as the
RFP Questions & Answers #3
Please see the attached list of questions and answers related to the “Strengthening Local Early Childhood Collaboration Request for Proposals” issued on January 15, 2020. This is a cumulative document, and includes all of the previous questions as well. Please
Secrets of Baby Behavior
On January 15, 2020 a group of parents, parent educators, early childhood teachers, and home daycare providers gathered together to learn about baby behavior and breastfeeding. The workshop was sponsored by Middletown’s School Readiness Council, led by Dawn Dubay, and
Happy New Year!
On Thursday January 9, 2020 we jumped into 2020 by hosting our 3rd professional development Webinar! Our own Michelle Doucette Cunningham, Executive Director of the Connecticut After School Network facilitated a very helpful and informative interactive learning session about grant
RFP Questions & Answers #2
Please see the attached list of questions and answers related to the “Strengthening Local Early Childhood Collaboration Request for Proposals” issued on January 15, 2020. This is a cumulative document, and includes all of the previous questions as well. Please
RFP Questions & Answers #1
Please see the attached list of questions and answers related to the "Strengthening Local Early Childhood Collaboration Request for Proposals" issued on January 15, 2020. Please check back here, on the Connecticut Children's Collective website, regularly as other questions will be
Funding Opportunity: Strengthening Local Early Childhood Collaboration
The CT Early Childhood Funder Collaborative (CT ECFC), a project of CT Council for Philanthropy is accepting proposals from existing local early childhood collaboratives (such as STRIVE/Cradle to Career Coalitions, School Readiness Councils, former Discovery Early Childhood Collaboratives, DCF/Head Start
Making the Case
Here is a short video designed to show how the Connecticut Children’s Collective can help to build capacity and maintain sustainability for our Local Partners. Please share it far and wide! When you are a little fish in a big pond,
The Collective Kick-Off Meeting!
We were so pleased to welcome OEC Commissioner Beth Bye to the Connecticut Children’s Collective’s big kick-off quarterly meeting held on December 12, 2019. It was a day of celebration as we unveiled our logo, website, brochures, and other swag
The Polar Express!
On Wednesday December 11, 2019 the Bristol Early Childhood Alliance, in collaboration with the Bristol Public Library, School Readiness “Bristol Babies Bridge to Literacy” committee members, Scouts BSA Troop 1425, the United Way of West Central Connecticut, and the Bristol
US Census 2020: A Visit to New Haven’s Early Childhood Council
On December 4, 2019 along with Director Dr. Michelle Baker, a group of devoted and caring folks gathered for the NHECC’s monthly council meeting, representing many different facets of services provided to children and families. Two representatives from the United
Hamden’s Partnership for Young Children Annual Meeting
By Barbara Vita — Hamden’s Partnership for Young Children held its Annual Meeting on November 18, 2019. It was very well attended by representatives and elected officials from the school and city, as well as highly valued members of the Partnership.
A Community Conversation
By Barbara Vita — The Alliance for Bloomfield’s Children hosted a Community Conversation which featured Senator Doug McCrory on Thursday November 14, 2019. Senator McCrory is the Senate Chairman of the legislature’s Education Committee. He was invited, along with State Representative Bobby
Cradle to Career Regional Conference
On November 13, 2019 Bridgeport Prospers hosted the first Cradle to Career Regional Conference in Connecticut. The conference was a huge success! Jennifer Blatz, President and CEO of StriveTogether made the keynote address. StriveTogether is a national movement with a clear
Westbrook Early Childhood Forum
By Barbara Vita — On Thursday November 7, 2019 I was asked to present at the Westbrook Early Childhood Forum held at Daisy Ingraham School in Westbrook. The forum was shaped through the hard work and diligent efforts of Alyssa Lindquist,
A Day of Everyday Heroes
On Saturday November 2, 2019 the Connecticut After School Network held its Annual After School Fall Conference. The theme this year was Everyday Heroes: Empower, Engage, Enrich. The day started with Deputy Director Cheryl Sharp of the Connecticut Commission on Human