Programs and Services designed to STRENGTHEN the early childhood workforce
Technical Assistance
Starting a New Child Care Home
If you are thinking of opening a child care program there are many resources available to help with your planning. Starting a new business of any kind should be a thoughtful process in order to be successful. Working to provide a high quality care and education program for children and families in our community requires compliance with many laws and requirements in order to ensure children’s safety, health and general well-being, as well as your sustainability as a business owner.
The NC Division of Child Development and Early Learning (DCDEE) is the licensing and regulatory agency for child care programs, whether they are faith-based or located in homes or centers. DCDEE provides a free packet of comprehensive information for potential providers and regularly schedules Pre-Licensing Workshops across the state.
Additional resources for potential providers can be found on their website. Locally, Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) offers potential providers start-up technical assistance and guidance in conjunction with the support from DCDEE. Contact Lee Marshall, CCR&R Coordinator, for an initial overview of child care needs in Watauga County, basic licensing requirements, and answers to your initial questions about entering into a rewarding career as an early educator.
Additional resources to consult:
The Division of Child Development and Early Education
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
www.nutritionnc.com
Self Help Credit Union – www.self-help.org
NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center –
www.healthychildcarenc.org
If you are thinking of opening a child care program there are many resources available to help with your planning. Starting a new business of any kind should be a thoughtful process in order to be successful. Working to provide a high quality care and education program for children and families in our community requires compliance with many laws and requirements in order to ensure children’s safety, health and general well-being, as well as your sustainability as a business owner.
The NC Division of Child Development and Early Learning (DCDEE) is the licensing and regulatory agency for child care programs, whether they are faith-based or located in homes or centers. DCDEE provides a free packet of comprehensive information for potential providers and regularly schedules Pre-Licensing Workshops across the state.
Additional resources for potential providers can be found on their website. Locally, Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) offers potential providers start-up technical assistance and guidance in conjunction with the support from DCDEE. Contact Lee Marshall, CCR&R Coordinator, for an initial overview of child care needs in Watauga County, basic licensing requirements, and answers to your initial questions about entering into a rewarding career as an early educator.
Additional resources to consult:
The Division of Child Development and Early Education
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
www.nutritionnc.com
Self Help Credit Union – www.self-help.org
NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center –
www.healthychildcarenc.org
Quality Enhancement
If you are interested in increasing your star level (quality) or participating in child care enhancement programs, please contact the Child Care Resource and Referral staff at the Children’s Council. The staff of the CCR&R offers assistance with:
• On-siteTechnical Assistance
• Educational Support
• Observations using the Environmental Rating Scales
• Workshops andTrainings
The CCR&R provides assistance to licensed child care centers and family child care homes to increase the quality of care. Technical assistance helps providers increase their star rated license by providing training on the Environment Rating Scales as well as on-site technical assistance.
Revised Rated License
Regional Specialist
• On-siteTechnical Assistance
• Educational Support
• Observations using the Environmental Rating Scales
• Workshops andTrainings
The CCR&R provides assistance to licensed child care centers and family child care homes to increase the quality of care. Technical assistance helps providers increase their star rated license by providing training on the Environment Rating Scales as well as on-site technical assistance.
Revised Rated License
Regional Specialist
Professional Development
The Child Care Resource and Referral offers assistance to promote increased education to early child care professionals. Assistance is given in professional development planning as well as a textbook lending library for child care providers in Early Childhood Education coursework.
Research shows that training is the key to providing care and education and that is what is best for young children. Training that makes a difference, however, cannot be just any training. Quality training is delivered by trainers who understand children, the business of child care, and use resources that reflect current early childhood research. At the CCR&R, our goal is to bring such trainings to you. To view our trainings go to the calendar. To register for one of our trainings, download registration form here.
Research shows that training is the key to providing care and education and that is what is best for young children. Training that makes a difference, however, cannot be just any training. Quality training is delivered by trainers who understand children, the business of child care, and use resources that reflect current early childhood research. At the CCR&R, our goal is to bring such trainings to you. To view our trainings go to the calendar. To register for one of our trainings, download registration form here.
Salary Supplementation for Early Childhood Teachers
The Children's Council of Watauga County partners with the Child Care WAGE$ Project to fund education-based salary supplements to low paid teachers and directors working with children between the ages of birth-5. The project is designed to provide preschool children more stable relationships with better educated teachers by rewarding teacher education and continuity of care. The Child Care WAGE$ Project is offered throughout North Carolina as a funding collaboration between local Smart Start Partnerships and the Division of Child Development.
You and your staff may be eligible to receive a salary supplement from WAGE$ if you are currently earning at or below $13.00 per hour, work with children between the ages of birth-5 at least 10 hours per week in a licensed child care program, and have some formal child care credential or education beyond a high school diploma.
For more detailed information:
Visit the Child Care WAGE$ website or call 919- 967-3272.
You and your staff may be eligible to receive a salary supplement from WAGE$ if you are currently earning at or below $13.00 per hour, work with children between the ages of birth-5 at least 10 hours per week in a licensed child care program, and have some formal child care credential or education beyond a high school diploma.
For more detailed information:
Visit the Child Care WAGE$ website or call 919- 967-3272.
