May 86 min read

Ivy Learning Resource & Referral Newsletter | May 2024

Showing GRATITUDE for those who INSPIRE US!

May is Provider Appreciation Month and the team at Ivy Learning wants to THANK YOU for all that you do for the children and families in your care. You are an inspiration and an encourager of children and families all while providing high-quality early learning experiences which translates to SUPERSTARS

And there’s more. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human development, these early experiences with high-quality positive caregiving can affect kids for life. “Children who receive high-quality early education are less likely to fail future grades and more likely to graduate high school and go to college.”

Benefits for Children

Research has shown that high-quality care and learning offer many long-lasting benefits for the children. Here are a few:

Better Emotionally Adjusted

A study with the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that children who attended a child care program fewer emotional and behavioral issues. They also found these benefits lasted until the kids were into middle school.

Improved Social Skills

In child care, children to interact with their peers and caregivers. They connect and learn critical social skills and also learn how to express themselves. Through play, they learn about cooperation, conflict resolution, and how to make friends – skills that will benefit them for life.

Better Math and Reading Scores

Children who attend a high quality childcare program have stronger reading and math skills going into kindergarten and are better prepared for school.

More Likely to Get A College Degree

Researchers in the FPG Child Development Institute found that young children enrolled in high-quality early learning programs are four times more likely to earn a college degree and attend higher education much longer than their peers.

What Benefits do Parents Receive?

Child care and early learning programs not only benefit the children that attend them but also their parents and families. Parents can benefit from many social, psychological, and financial rewards. Here are some benefits for parents you may not have considered:

Fewer illnesses when your child enters school

Although colds and sniffles are no fun for little ones, the germs and colds they are exposed to will benefit them and you in the future. Research has shown that kids who attended child care programs as babies have fewer earaches and sicknesses once they reach school.

Friendships between other parents

Many parents find a new network of support through other parents, and these small quick interactions at pick-up and drop-off can grow into lasting meaningful friendships. Even a brief interaction in the morning can connect you to the support of a community of parents working and caring for their kids.

Peace of Mind

Knowing that you don’t need to worry about the quality of care your child is receiving

All in all, high quality early childhood experiences are AMAZING! Thank you for all you do!

UPDATES!

Have you done your semi-annual update yet? Twice yearly (January-June and July-December), Oklahoma Child Care Resource & Referral agencies are required to gather information from early care and education programs throughout our region to update our system. This is the best way to keep things like your hours, rates, educational accomplishments and other facets current so parents have the latest information when searching for child care. And a great way for parents in the area to know you! We will contact you in person, by phone or email to request the information, and we would appreciate your responses! Even text us the words, "No Changes" and we will make sure it is recorded in the database. You can also complete an update form by visiting our website. Click the link below.

Click Here for Ivy Learning website

Storm Damage? Let us know

As we are currently in a very stormy Spring season, we would like to encourage everyone to take a minute to look over your emergency preparedness plan and make any updates necessary to keep everyone safe. It is also important to check your emergency medical supplies and make sure they are also fully stocked and ready to go. It is best to be prepared and not scared.

With many recent storms and tornadoes, if you have experienced damage and need assistance, please send the following information to jboomer@ivylearning.org. 1-Your Program Name, 2-Program address, 3-Damage, 4-Can you operate?, 5-Immediate Needs, 6-Long-term Needs.

If your home or center has received damage from any of the recent storms, please let us know! There may be resources we can connect you with to help with recovery. For future reference, you can contact us anytime you have any kind of damage from natural disasters, and we will see if we can connect you to any resources.

Pyramid Model Resource Collection: Addressing Exclusionary Discipline Practices

Did you know? The National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations Resource Collection provides resources for states, communities and early childhood programs aimed at preventing exclusionary practices. The resources, predominantly found on the NCPMI website, https://challengingbehavior.org has information about exclusionary practices related to prevention, policies, data tools, equity and impact. Formats include guides, tip sheets, fact sheets, webinars, and video.

Find the resources you need and read the full article here:

Link to Article

North Central Region Corner

Hello North Central Providers,

We are thankful for the emphasis and priority you all place on Outdoor Play!

Outdoor Play and Safety for children in Early Care and Education

Being active and playing outdoors are an important part of childhood. Playing outside can have many benefits for children’s healthy development and can help them develop healthy bodies and healthy minds. Outdoor time provides opportunities for children in early care and education (ECE) programs to enjoy the outdoors, but spending time outside can also introduce illness and injury, dangers associated with water, and exposure to the sun and heat. ECE providers can help to keep children safe while they learn and stay active outside.

Read some of the benefits of play and some safety tips on the CDC website article here.

Northeast Region Corner

Hello Northeast Providers,

May 10th is Child Care Provider Appreciation Day!

Northeast region Resource and Referral team wants to say "Thank you" for making a difference in the lives of children every day. "Thank you" for strengthening communities. "Thank you" for your compassionate hearts and investing in our children. Giving children a brighter future is the most important job! Less than one-third of children in America have a parent that can be a stay-at-home parent. Childcare providers are a partner in raising America's children. You as a provider are essential. Happy Provider Appreciation Day!

And CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF THE OUTDOOR PLAYGROUND GRANTS!

Jean Parker, FCCH Tahlequah was one recipient. Jean expressed her gratitude, " We are so very thankful for this grant to enhance our outdoor classroom. As we all know, children learn, best outdoors in natural environments and we can't wait for our friends to see this improvement of our outdoor space. What a blessing this is to our program, and the families we serve, we are all so excited!"

--The Book Corner

*Infant Toddler Me and My Mom* by Alison Ritchie (Author), Alison Edgson (Illustrator) Little Bear's mom is simply wonderful! She can string together the longest daisy chain, make the loudest echoes in a cave, and balance three apples on her nose. But the best thing she does in all the world is love her little cub! This book is a part of a series of family books by the author such as: Me and My Mom, Me and My Dad, Me and My Grandpa, Me and My Grandma.
Don't Touch that Flower! by Alice Hemming (author) and Nicola Slater ( illustrator)"Hello brand new day. Hello sunshine! Hello lovely leaves. Nice to see you back." Spring is here and today a flower has sprung to life. But when Squirrel becomes too protective of it, Bird shows Squirrel the right way to let flowers blossom and grow. Pick up Don't Touch That Flower if you are looking for: A classic read for ages 4 and up Picture books that are ideal for your classroom, homeschool curriculum, and more! Seasonal and educational stories about the changing seasons
National Geographic Kids Everything Weather: Facts, Photos, and Fun that will blow you away By Kathy Furgang Weather can be wild, freaky, and fascinating! Powerful twisters roar through homes; earthquakes shatter whole cities; hurricanes fly through towns. How does it all happen and how do we know what we do? All you need to know about weather and all of its wildness will be found in the pages of this colorful, energetic, and accessible book. Kids will also learn about real-life encounters with wild weather from National Geographic tornado chaser, Tim Samaras, featured in "Explorer's Corners" throughout the book. Packed with fun facts and amazing photographs, this book gives kids an in-depth look at these amazing natural phenomena. To purchase an Amazon, click here

Events and Trainings

See upcoming events here!

Thrive Meeting North Central in Ponca City, June 1st, 10:00am-2:00pm with the topic: with training by Tracy Hinton and Jan Boomer. Please email thinton@ivylearning.org for more information.

Thrive Meeting Northeast in Tahlequah, Saturday May 18th, 10:00 am-2:00 pm with speaker Ashley Boomer. Email rsierra@ivylearning.org for more information.

May 23rd – Transitions, Routines, and Schedules from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm at the Lincoln County DHS office

Be looking for the information in your email. We have several more FREE Conscious Discipline training events happening over the next several months, and we need YOUR help in getting the word out! Please email jboomer@ivylearning.org for more information.

Virtual Training Series on Tues/Thurs evenings in May
2 different Saturday in-person Training Events in June
2 different 2-day, in-person Training Events in June
One 2-day, in-person Training Event in July
Weeklong Conscious Discipline Academy in August

Events and Trainings

Ivy Learning is here to serve you!

Ivy Learning Child Care Resource & Referral serves the North Central and Northeast Regions of Oklahoma, which includes 19 counties. For more information and to contact your regional representative, expand the section below.

North Central Region: Kay, Lincoln, Logan, Noble, Nowata, Osage, Pawnee, Payne & Washington Counties

Northeast Region: Adair, Cherokee, Craig, Delaware, Mayes, McIntosh, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Ottawa & Sequoyah Counties

Request Technical Assistance from our Resource and Referral Specialists

Ivy Learning Child Care Resource and Referral can provide technical assistance to childcare providers. Technical Assistance services help providers improve or enhance the quality of childcare through structured and intentional services which supports the development of specific skills and practices. As a result, providers will be able to implement knowledge about quality in their individual care giving situations.

Request Technical Assistance