WAEYC Blog

Early Learning Plan

2010-07-22T13:14:00.000-07:00

The Department of Early Learning, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Thrive by Five Washington are nearing adoption of the statewide Early Learning Plan. Public input on the draft plan closed on June 18th and is currently being considered. WAEYC provided input on the professional development and child care licensing strategies. The plan includes many important strategies, some of which can and will be implemented immediately. Others will require more planning time or funding. A 3-year action plan, available here, prioritizes strategies that can be implemented in the coming three years. One of the 3-year strategies - implement comprehensive professional development and compensation system – aligns with WAEYC’s vision. Another strategy - align prekindergarten and K-3 instructional and programmatic practices – is directly related to an action in WAEYC’s 3-year strategic plan.

WAEYC's 1st Annual Spanish Conference

2010-06-30T13:39:00.000-07:00

The 2010 WAEYC’s 1st Annual Conference for Spanish Speaking Early Childhood Professionals “Cultivating Today; Harvesting Tomorrow” in Yakima was a success!

We are recharged and returning to our important work of supporting the care and education of young children and their families. Over 60 participants attended workshop sessions, gathered new ideas and materials from presenters and exhibitors.

Overall, the message we got is that events like this one don’t happen often and that more quality training in Spanish is very much needed and appreciated.

Georgina Stagi from WAEYC welcoming participants.

Thanks to all attendees. Although many of you drove hours to be there, you were never tired to fully participate in your workshops or give us a smile.

Thanks to our wonderful presenters, Maria Zanotti, Celina Garza, Maria Vera, Linda Reyes Songer, Uby Creek, Marina Sanchez and Yadira Galvan. Your support, dedication and commitment were amazing!

Uby Creek's session "Math Here, Math There, Math Everywhere."

Marina Sanchez's session "A Fun Day on a Rainy Day."

Linda Reyes Songer's session "Strengthening Multiethnic Families and Communities."

Maria Vera's Keynote "Cultivating Knowledge;Harvesting Success."

Thanks to our Volunteers, Elana Bell and Ana Cecilia Arana. Your quick learning and hard work made everything run smoothly.

Our Volunteers, Elana Bell and Ana Cecilia Arana getting breakfast ready.

Thank you to the different organizations that hosted a resource table. We couldn’t take valuable information to the Spanish speaking community without your partnership.

Lydia DeLeon and Lori Hernandez from Yakima Department of Early Learning.

Thanks to our vendors, you worked hard to be there and made your valuable materials available in Spanish.

Vicky Stearns and her Barefoot Books Exhibition.

Presenter Yadira Galvan (on right) and collaborators at Discovery Toys Exhibition.

WAEYC sincerely thanks V-me and KCTS 9, who helped sponsor this conference. Without you, this conference would not have been possible!

We are already planning our 2nd Conference for 2011. We are paying close attention to the comments you provided on the evaluation forms and will work even harder to make our second conference better!

Continue to check the website for information including the call for proposals, resources and exhibitors. We are working to develop email contacts for all participants and to communicate future conference information through email rather than paper. If you have not provided your email through previous conference registration, send it to Georgina Stagi.

See you next year!

Initiatives Impacting Children and Families

2010-06-21T13:56:00.000-07:00

On the ballet this fall, there likely will be several state initiatives that affect programs children and families count on. Initiatives are laws proposed by non-legislators - either individuals or groups of individuals.

I-1098: Middle-class tax cuts, job creation, and dedicated education and health care funding. Impact: Funding raised would be eligible to be used for education programs, including early learning, and health coverage for children and families.

I-1053: Requiring 2/3 majority vote to raise revenue in the state legislature. Impact: Severely restrict the government's ability to raise new revenue to increase spending on various programs that impact children and families in Washington.

I-1106 and 1107: Eliminate new revenues gained from extending the sales tax to candy, end the temporary sales tax on all ("some in 1107) bottled water, end the temporary excise tax on carbonated beverages and beer (1007 would keep beer tax), and reduce the tax rates for certain food processors. Impact: Repeal new revenues identified and passed during 2010 legislative session, and result in budget gap due to loss of projected revenues.

Click here to read about Children's Alliance's position on these initiatives and how they will affect kids.

Job Openings

2010-06-18T12:19:00.000-07:00

Seeking employment?

Click here to check out the new postings on the WAEYC Job Site page.

Have an open position? Advertise on the WAEYC website!

Cost is $30 for a 30-day posting of any lenght. To place an ad, email WAEYC or call (253) 854-2565 x10.

Upcoming Conferences

2010-06-09T10:50:00.000-07:00

WAEYC Conference for Spanish Speaking Early Childhood Professionals June 26 in Yakima.

WSTC Head Start/ECEAP/EHS Summer Institute June 28-30 at Central Washington University.

Washington Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference, October 14-16 in Spokane.

The Bridge From School to Afterschool and Back October 18-19 in Vancouver, WA.

Now Accepting Governing Board Nominations

2010-06-08T14:04:00.000-07:00

WAEYC is now seeking candidates for Treasurer and Member-At-Large. For more information and to apply, click here.

Quarterly Meetings with State Agencies

2010-06-07T09:30:00.000-07:00

Join other providers, advocates and leaders from the Governor’s Office, the Department of Early Learning, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and other state agencies at the next Quarterly Meeting on June 22nd from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at the Department of Early Learning in Lacey. The purpose of these meetings is to share and discuss policy and budget matters of interest.

Click here for the agenda with meeting topics and DEL's address.

2010 Legislative Session

2010-06-02T11:37:00.000-07:00

We were successful in protecting many of our state's current investments in early learning. And we made policy strides! Governor Gregoire signed into law a number of bills related to early learning programs and services.
Click here for more information.

Child Care Subsidy Changes

2010-06-01T14:11:00.000-07:00

A new state law changes Working Connections Child Care eligibility from six months or less to 12 months for families with a child enrolled in Head Start, Early Head Start or ECEAP. To align with the new law, the Department of Early Learning will implement new rules in August.

Click here to see the proposed rules, give input and find the location of public hearings.

2010 Conference Keynote Speakers

2010-05-28T14:11:00.000-07:00

Each fall WAEYC's Annual Conference, Looking Through The Kaleidoscope, offers nationally known keynoters. This year's keynote speakers are:

Thursday, October 14

(Pending)

Resercher, co-author, and internationally renowned expert on infant and child development, Dr. Andrew Meltzoff, who is the Job and Gertrud Tamaki Endowed Chair and the Co-Director of the University of Washington's Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences (I-LABS). His discoveries about infant imitation have revolutionized our understanding of early cognition, personality, and brain development.

Friday, October 15

Author, lecturer, and researcher Micahel Gurian, who is also a New York Times bestselling author of twenty five books in twenty one languages and co-founder of the Gurian Institute. His work spans neurobiology, brain science, and the ways in which boys and girls learn.

Saturday, October 16

Children's author, recording artist, and bilingual educator José-Luis Orozco, who helps Spanish language, Latin American culture and musical heritage come alive for children and adults through books and music.

Trainer and Educator Conference

2010-05-25T10:12:00.001-07:00

The 3rd Annual Trainer and Education Conference held on May 17-19, 2010 in Chelan was a SUCCESS! Thank you to the board and the 70+ who attended! Stay tuned for pictures and some of the testimonials we received.

Cultivating Today; Harvesting Tomorrow

2010-05-25T09:57:00.000-07:00

Registration is now open for WAEYC's 1st Annual Conference for Spanish Speaking Early Child Care Professionals, to be held on June 26, 2010 in Yakima, Washington.

The conference is offered to all those working with and on behalf of young children and their families.

Keynote Speaker:

María Vera
Connections Consulting, NAEYC Member

“Cultivating Knowledge, Harvesting Success”

This address will reference research and facts about the importance of surrounding children with love and care in a nurturing environment while encouraging participants to implement positive learning experiences that enhance brain development during those first years of life. Maria will also strengthen or increase participants’ knowledge about guiding children in a positive way based on developmental appropriate practices, individual needs and cultural background. Participants will leave this session with the understanding that by providing positive guidance and experiences today, they are helping children to live happy, successful, and responsible lives tomorrow as adults who are able to function as members of a productive society.

Maria is a leader, advocate and teacher in the area of fam-ily support specializing in building protective factors in Latino fami-lies. Maria was recognized by Family Support America for her work engag-ing and empowering Latino families. Governor Gregoire appointed Maria to serve on Washington Learns and the Early Learning Advisory Council.

Click here to register. Postmark/Fax your registration by June 18 to ensure you get lunch. Mail it to: WAEYC, 841 N Central Ave, Suite 206, Kent, WA 98032. If paying with a credit card, you may fax your registration to (253) 813-3646.

Any questions, please contact us at (253) 854-2565 x27 or email Georgina.

I-1077/1098: Dedicated Funding & Tax Cuts

2010-05-21T12:29:00.000-07:00

Initiative 1077 (which may become Initiative 1098) has been filed to appear on the November 2010 ballot. If passed by voters, the measure will lower taxes for most Washington residents by lowering property taxes and exempting small businesses from the business and occupation tax.

I-1077 would raise new revenue dedicated to education and health services by adding an income tax on the wealthiest 3% of households. The new revenue will be dedicated to the Education Legacy Trust Fund for K-12 class-size reductions, extended learning opportunities, pre-kindergarten, and expanding access to higher education.

To learn more, go to YES on I-1077 and NO on I-1077.

Early Learning and Secondary Education Act

2010-05-18T08:40:00.000-07:00

The reauthorization of the federal Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA) provides a unique occasion to transform our educational system. ESEA should be updated to acknowledge the importance of high-quality developmental support and learning experiences for all young children, beginning at birth and continuing through the early grades. Click here to see NAEYC’s ESEA reauthorization recommendations.

Hear about the U.S. Department of Education’s ESEA reauthorization priorities and other early learning topics on Wednesday, May 26th from 10:30-11:30 AM. The Washington State Association of Head Start & ECEAP invites you to join a call with Dr. Jacqueline Jones Senior Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

To participate, call (605) 477-2100 and enter 217829#.
Please call in 5 minutes early; there will likely be a very big turnout for this call.

Spanish Conference

2010-05-17T14:13:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce our 1st Annual Conference for Spanish Speaking Early Childhood Professionals!

Cultivating Today; Harvesting Tomorrow
This one-day conference is for all those who care for young children. You will earn STARS credits.

When? Saturday, June 26, 2010

Where? City of Yakima
A. C. Davis High School
212 S 6th Ave, Yakima WA 98902

To register: Email Georgina or call (253) 854-2565 x27

Click here for the Resource Fair and Exhibitor Applications.

We hope to see you in Yakima!

Growing Connections

2010-05-13T15:37:00.000-07:00

WAEYC is excited to introduce Growing Connections: A Learning and Sharing Exchange.

Enhancing learning and sharing between early learning professionals across the state, and engaging each other in conversations that inform our steps forward and give us practical resources for today.

When: Thursday, May 20, 2010 * 6:30 -7:30 pm * Webinar

Topic: Washington State Early Learning Plan . . . And You

Washington is gaining momentum as it creates a plan to help ensure that all children start life with a solid foundation for success, based on strong families and a world-class early learning system. Your voice will help Washington take the next steps forward!

Join Department of Early Learning Director Bette Hyde and President & CEO of Thrive by Five Washington Nina Auerbach to learn where Washington is heading and how Washington’s early learning plan —a plan to help ensure school readiness and coordinate the various systems that touch children in their earliest years —will impact you, your community, and those you serve. Don’t miss this unique occasion to increase your understanding and share your thoughts directly with some of the plan’s architects.

Registration Info: Click here to register. Registration is limited. Must be a current WAEYC member or join.

Welcome WAEYC Members!

2010-05-13T12:21:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the WAEYC blog!

We're launching this blog in conjunction with a new WAEYC Facebook page. We created these tools to reach out to our members and encourage your feedback.

On this blog, we'll share the stories of what our staff and partners are doing around the state for early childhood education professionals. This blog is a place for WAEYC members to connect, network, share information and learn from others in the early childhood education field. Please feel free to comment on any message.

Is there a topic you wish to discuss? Then contact WAEYC to become a guest blogger!

Want to connect with other early childhood education professionals? Check out WAEYC’s Early Learning Forums in the sidebar. These sites provide an easy way to network with your colleagues.

Thank you for stopping by! We hope you'll join us on this early learning adventure!