Purpose
These activities will focus on increasing quality, availability, and access to excellent early learning programs. Communities are encouraged to develop strategies for this activity that can be included in their local C4K or other early childhood initiative work plans.
Two opportunities for early childhood funds:
1- Multi-year funding for long term projects
2- One-time funding of $32,800 for large-scale projects
Project One Goal
Develop Social-Emotional Curriculum that is children’s book-based and provide it free of charge to the area’s early childhood professionals.
One of the requirements of Step up to Quality is a curriculum that meets the needs of the social-emotional development of children. This curriculum is typically very expensive or requires a large amount of prep work. By developing a curriculum that is children book-based allows centers and homes to integrate this important piece to any curriculum they are currently working with.
This curriculum will be given to licensed providers free of charge and data collection will happen either in the center-based quarterly meeting or in the home provider meeting monthly Sept-May, in the form of verbal feedback. If providers do not attend the meetings, a survey can be sent to them for feedback. The curriculum will be a two-year curriculum, given to providers in 6-month increments.
If you are interested in this FREE curriculum, please fill out the form here:
Social Emotional Curriculum Application
Project Two Goal
Encourage participation in Step Up to Quality with the step up to Quality kits.
Participants will be encouraged to participate in Step up to Quality with Quality kits. Each kit will contain materials that will support the requirements of the next Step Up to Quality rating. Step Up to Quality Kits include board books, shirts, dolls, bassinet, blocks and play people, bookshelf, and a celebration when complete!
Interested in taking part in the Step Up to Quality Kits? Please contact Wendy Gwennap, Early Childhood Community Coordinator at 402-303-2136 or eccc@unitedwayscne.org
Project Three Goal
Use funds to help train more early childhood educators
Please contact the Early Childhood Community Coordinator if you are interested in help with licensing, funds, or resources to begin the process to become a licensed child care professional.