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Early Childhood Education/Teachers woman at computer

Higher education for directors, teachers and family child care home providers is a very high priority for the Partnership!


A major goal of the Cabarrus Partnership for Children is to improve the quality of early education, so that children receive education and child care that is healthy, safe, meets their social, physical and intellectual developmental needs and prepares them to enter school able to succeed.

Improving teacher education is a key strategy in meeting that goal!

Early Childhood Education Enrollment Changes at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

Effective fall 2009 Rowan Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) will implement changes to the prerequisites for their programs of study. These changes are extremely important and do impact you.

(Stanly Community College will implement these changes fall 2010- further information to come at a later date.)

ALL NEW AND RETURNING students must have taken the placement test (Compass or Asset) and have the SCORES for Reading and Writing BEFORE he/she will be allowed to register for classes Fall 2009.

Students can take these tests twice within a one year time period. If your scores indicate that you need any remedial courses (RED 080, ENG 080, RED 090, and/or END 090) you MUST complete these developmental courses BEFORE you can enroll.

  1. If your scores indicate that you need RED 080 and/or ENG 080, you MUST complete these courses before you can enroll in EDU 100 level courses.
  2. If your scores indicate that you need RED 090 and/or ENG 090, you MUST complete these courses before you can enroll in EDU 200 level courses.

This new policy applies to EVERYONE at RCCC, no matter if you are a new student or a returning student; almost done with your degree or just starting.

 

Smart Start Professional Development Incentivewoman at computer

PDI program is designed to provide incentives to child care providers and directors who are continuing their education and stay employed at the same center for at least 6 months. Incentives are rewarded twice a year to teachers and directors who work in Cabarrus County child care centers or child care homes and meet all the eligibility requirements.

Professional Development Incentive (PDI) due dates:

Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Dates
  • 1st Quarter: September  11, 2009
  • 2nd Quarter:  December 11, 2009 or January 11, 2010
  • 3rd Quarter: March 12, 2010
  • 4th Quarter: June 18, 2010

 

Qualifications for PDI Program

New Applicants: In order to be eligible your first time applying, you have to have completed coursework in the last 6 (six) months with a grade of C or higher. Plus the qualifications below.

  • Applicant must earn below $14.60 per hour if they are a teacher, assistant teacher, aide, or floater.  Assistant directors and directors must earn below $19.00 per hour.
  • The applicant must have at least six (6) semester hours of college credit in ECE/CD above the credential level. EDU 111 or 112 can NOT be counted toward the 6 semester hours.
  • Applicant must have received a grade of a “C” or better to obtain credit for the class in the program.
  • Applicant must work directly with children under the age of 5. Applicants must be employed by the center at least 30 hours per week to qualify for the full incentive amount.  Applicants who are employed at least 15-29 hours per week will qualify for half of the annual incentive.  This time in the center must be spent directly working with children and your time must be verified by someone in a higher supervisory position than the applicant (ie: director, board chair, pastor)

PDI Information?

Application Instruction

  • FY 2009-2010 PDI Application Packet- Download Here - Download Adobe Acrobat Filepdficon
  • Family Child Care Home Providers: Payment Verification packet (Make sure to include this with your application.) - Download Adobe Acrobat File pdficon
  • One-Time Bonus Application- Need to call Limary Mullinax to set up an appointment.

Smart Start Higher Education Advising

If you need any information about the Professional Development Incentive or information about going to school, contact Limary Mullinax at the Cabarrus Partnership for Children.

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Project

Comprehensive scholarships help pay the cost of tuition, books and travel, may insure paid release time, require compensation incentives and encourage retention for child care providers working on a credential or degree in early childhood education or child development. For more information and/or application, contact Limary Mullinax at the Cabarrus Partnership for Children

These are activities that assist our teachers and directors:

Smart Start Training and Technical Assistance

CCRI Early Childhood Specialists provide technical assistance to all regulated centers who request assistance; provide support to 3-4-5 star centers due for license renewal on quality maintenance; assist centers to improve their star ratings. CCRI also offers workshops for teachers monthly. Call Christina Castile at 704-786-1023 or e-mail ccastile@childcareresourcesinc.org

Smart Start Mobile Resource Van

Teachers are eligible to borrow books and educational materials for their own professional development and for their classrooms. The van visits centers and community sites on a regular monthly schedule. A copy is inside this newsletter.

Smart Start Child Care Health Consultants

Child Care Health Consultants are specially trained public health nurses from the Cabarrus Health Alliance who visit all of our child care centers, family child care homes and More at Four classrooms. They provide a variety of health services and teach workshops regularly at centers and the Partnership. The training calendar for July, August and September is inside this newsletter. They also teach the state’s required Infant/Toddler Safe Sleep Curriculum and can assist with policies and procedures for infant care, medications, emergency care, chronic health illnesses, etc.

Call Anita Sweeney at 704-920-1133

e-mail: amsweeney@cabarrushealth.org

Child Care Resources Inc. Regional ActivitiesBoy building with blocks at Logan

Child Care Resources Inc. has four additional activities available to assist Cabarrus early childhood programs funded by the Division of Child Development’s Region 7 grant:

  • Infant/Toddler Specialist – contact Julie Clinkscale at 704-376-6697
  • Behavior Specialists – contact Debbie Johnson or Erin Bracy at CCRI, 704-376-6697
  • School-Age Specialist – contact Michelle Inhofer at 704-376-6697
  • Cabarrus Early Childhood Specialist – contact Devonya Govan at 704-786-1023 or at dgovan@childcareresourcesinc.org

Smart Start Inclusion Specialists

Inclusion Specialists with Thompson's Child and Family Focus provide screenings; support to teachers and families; technical assistance to teachers and directors; professional development; and inclusion services to support children with challenging behaviors;  as well as children with special needs enrolled with typically developing children. Call Christine Wilson at (704) 817-1610 or email at cwilson@thompsoncff.org

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