You can find the first two blogs here, and here.

In this third blog of our Virtual Coaching series, the focus is on how leaders can build a virtual coaching system that is both responsive to early childhood educator’s and stakeholder needs, as well as sustainable in the long term. When implementing any new system there may be other elements of the day-to-day organization that need to change. Those changes are best implemented and sustained when they are supported by senior leadership and have buy-in from all involved. This includes funders, early childhood educators, coaches, supervisors, and technology staff that may be impacted as virtual coaching is put into practice. To build and promote a successful virtual coaching model some business policies and practices may also need to be re-examined, e.g., use of virtual platforms, confidentiality, equipment usage, staff time, and compensation. Updating these policies and practices can lead to successful planning and implementation, and ultimately result in the sustainability of the new program.

While the path to passing the Build Back Better (BBB) Act has come with its fair share of challenges and setbacks, there is still momentum in Congress to pass the investments in affordable, high-quality child care and mixed-delivery preschool.  

Child Care Aware® of America  welcomes three new members to its Board of Directors who will assume their positions in January 2022.     

What are small acts of courage for child care? Why are they important and who can make a difference?  

 An advocate from Child Care Aware® of America’s network is a child care provider and single mother whose small acts of courage are creating a better future for her own children and countless others in her community. After leaving an abusive relationship, she was a single mother raising three children on her own, when she applied for child care subsidies so she could go back to work. She spent over a year on the waitlist for a subsidy before she finally received the financial assistance she needed. With the help of this subsidy, she returned to work and to school, where she earned a director credential in early childhood education. Now, she is the owner of a family child care home, works as a registered nurse on weekends and is a passionate advocate for high-quality child care – all while raising her three children. 

During the holiday season, donate to Child Care Aware® of America as your small act of courage for child care. Your tax-deductible gift is an investment in our nation’s future – our children. 

Small acts of courage add up. With support from generous donors like you, CCAoA makes a real difference for our nation’s children. We do so by empowering and supporting the adults in their lives – their parents, child care providers and child care system leaders. These caregivers are essential to children’s healthy development and to ensuring child care is a place where all children are safe, loved and excited to learn and play with one another. 

This holiday season, your donation will support CCAoA’s efforts to: 

Elevate the voices of families and child care advocates. 

• • Last year, our advocate network sent approximately 56,000 messages to lawmakers about the importance of child care. 
  • CCAoA spearheads a network of families, child care providers, system leaders and other advocates to secure transformational investments in child care, including $39 billion in relief funding as part of the American Rescue Plan Act passed in March 2021. We are on the cusp of Congress passing the Build Back Better Act, which includes a groundbreaking $400 billion for child care and early learning. 

Support the courageous heroes and workers at the front lines of our national security and economy. 

• • CCAoA helps parents and caregivers find the care they need to return to and remain in our nation’s workforce. In 2020, we made over 500,000 connections between community members and high-quality child care resources and solutions. 
  • Last year, CCAoA directly assisted approximately 30,000 military heroes and other families in accessing high-quality child care. 

Advance quality care practices by building the knowledge and skills of child care and early learning professionals. 

• • In 2020, CCAoA’s trainings and webinars impacted over 50,000 participants on topics such as child health and safety and emergency preparedness. 

A groundswell of small acts can create the turbulence necessary for systemic change. Make your small act of courage today by donating to CCAoA in this powerful moment for child care to help us ensure accessible, affordable and high-quality child care for every child.  

Remember, as winter approaches, it can bring with it additional hazards. Child care providers can take steps to keep children safe from winter hazards such as extreme cold, snow, ice and the use of holiday decorations.