Arlington, VA – January 30, 2018 – Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA), National Association for Family Child Care, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), National Head Start Association (NHSA), the Afterschool Alliance, Teachstone and National Indian Child Care Association (NICCA) would like to congratulate family child care provider Tammy Oveson of Learn ‘n Play Preschool in Waite Park, Minnesota. She has been selected as Provider of the Month for January 2018.
The Provider of the Month campaign was launched in conjunction with Provider Appreciation Day on May 8, 2015 to honor outstanding child care providers and early childhood educators who exemplify what it means to be a quality care provider for children.
Tammy Oveson and her assistant, Karla, offer a highly individualized learning environment, based on their frequent observations and recordings of each child’s development. Oveson uses that information to write lesson plans and make modifications to the environment as needed to ensure that each child is getting exactly what they need from the program.
She began her career as a licensed family child care provider 29 years ago, after the birth of her second child. At the start, she recruited families by posting a note at the local grocery store. Today there are 12 children in her program who range in age from 20 months to five years. The preschool is nationally accredited by the National Association for Family Child Care and has the highest possible rating in the Parent Aware program, Minnesota's early childhood program rating scale.
Oveson encourages parents to participate in the program at whatever level they’re comfortable. Some come in to read to the children, or lead art or cooking projects. There are two get-togethers during the year—at Christmas and in the summer—where parents can visit with one another, share food, and participate in a variety of activities with their children.
During any school day, parents can check the LifeCubby app to see how their child is doing. Tammy Oveson and Karla post updates throughout the day, including photos and information about each child’s meals and snacks, diaper changes, and naps. Parents are also sent an email at the end of the day with detailed information about their child.
Oveson earned her bachelor’s degree in child development in 2008 and her master’s degree in early childhood education in 2010. She is also a trainer, a member of the governing board of Child Care Aware® of Minnesota, and a professional development specialist for the Council for Professional Development.
We’re so grateful to exemplary providers like Tammy Oveson, who is adding significant value to her community in central Minnesota.
Congratulations to Tammy Oveson! You can find out more about her program on her website, http://www.learnplaypreschool.com/.
Nominate an Outstanding Provider
Do you know an outstanding provider or early childhood educator who is deserving of the Provider of the Month award? Visit www.providerappreciationday.org for details on how to nominate them, and help Child Care Aware® of America and partner organizations honor those providers that go above and beyond every day!
About Child Care Aware of America
Child Care Aware of America is our nation’s leading voice for child care. CCAoA works with state and local Child Care Resource and Referral agencies (CCR&Rs) and other community partners to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. CCAoA leads projects that increase the quality and availability of child care, offer comprehensive training to child care professionals, undertake research, and advocate for child care policies that improve the lives of children and families. To learn more, visit usa.childcareware.org. Follow them on Twitter @USAChildCare and on Facebook at facebook.com/usachildcare.
National Association for the Education of Young Children
NAEYC's mission is to promote high-quality early learning for all children, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research. NAEYC advances a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and supports all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children. Learn more at www.naeyc.org.
National Association for Family Child Care
The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) is dedicated to promoting quality child care by strengthening the profession of family child care. NAFCC accomplishes this mission by strengthening state and local associations as the primary support system for individual family child care providers, promoting a professional accreditation program which recognizes and encourages quality child care for children, representing family child care providers by advocating for their needs and collaborating with other organizations, and promoting the diversity of the family child care profession. Learn more at www.nafcc.org.
National Head Start Association
The National Head Start Association (NHSA) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization committed to the belief that every child, regardless of circumstances at birth, has the ability to succeed in life. The opportunities offered by Head Start lead to healthier, empowered children and families, and stronger, more vibrant communities. NHSA is the voice for more than 1 million children, 200,000 staff and 1,600 Head Start grantees in the United States. For more information about NHSA, visit www.nhsa.org.
National Indian Child Care Association
The mission of National Indian Child Care Association is to unify tribes and tribal organizations to promote high quality culturally relevant child care and development. National Indian Child Care Association will provide leadership, support, and communication on behalf of Native American children, families, and communities. To learn more about NICCA, visit www.nicca.us or follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/nicca.us.
The Afterschool Alliance
The Afterschool Alliance works to ensure that all youth have access to affordable, quality afterschool programs. The mission of NAFCC includes increasing public and private investment in quality afterschool program initiatives at the national, state and local levels.
Teachstone
If you improve how teachers connect with students, children achieve more—now and for the rest of their lives. That’s the promise of CLASS. Teachstone delivers on that promise by bringing CLASS observations and professional development solutions to organizations everywhere.
