Arlington, VA – Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), National Head Start Association (NHSA), National Indian Child Care Association (NICCA), National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), Teachstone, and the Afterschool Alliance would like to congratulate Joy Phelps and the staff at the Hampton University Child Development Center in Hampton, Virginia. They have been named Provider of the Month for June 2017.
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.
The staff at the Hampton University Child Development Center is proud to focus on helping children build a strong educational foundation. They facilitate interactions in ways that not only promote this development and learning but also fosters social competence, supports their learning through play, creates rich environments, and forges strong home–school connections.
Phelps began her career more than 24 years ago at the age of 12 when she volunteered at a Head Start Program in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Later, she became a mentor and babysitter for her cousins and soon realized she had a passion for working with children. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she had the opportunity to work for a preschool program in Camp Pendleton, California at the Browne Child Development Center. She went on to earn a master’s degree in education with a concentration in early childhood education research.
She is an advocate for early childhood education and a strong leader in guiding directors/administrators, teachers, caregivers, parents, families, and the community on best practices and education for young children.
Phelps and the staff at the Hampton University Child Development Center have come up with fun and interactive ways for the children to learn and develop fine motor skills, reading, writing, listening, math, and so much more. In the center’s writing skills area, for example, the staff provide writing instruments, various kinds of paper, and the ability to create and publish their own books!
The Hampton University Child Development Center, which serves ages 2 ½ to 5, recently won the 2017 Best of Hampton Award in the child care category.
We’re so grateful to exemplary providers like Joy Phelps and her staff—they’re adding significant value to the development and overall health and well-being of the children in their care, and bringing added resources to this suburban community.
Congratulations to Joy Phelps and the staff at the Hampton University Child Development Center! You can find out more about the Hampton University Child Development Center via their website.
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!
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.
