It’s September! And as you may know, each September is recognized as National Preparedness Month. Preparedness Month promotes family and community disaster planning now, during the month, and throughout the year. 

Child Care Aware^® of America is pleased to award 11 Child Care Resource & Referral member agencies COVID-19 Quick Response Grants.  The grants were made possible through generous financial support from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP).  Funds received from CDP will allow CCAoA to rapidly support CCR&Rs by offering subgrants for the purchase of supplies or enhanced services supports for childcare providers in areas of the U.S. in need and to provide direct aid to those geographic areas entering phased recovery. 

When states ordered that K-12 schools close and colleges shuttered their campuses – steps taken to slow the spread of COVID-19 — technology stepped up. Students in communities across the country are continuing their learning virtually, in the relative safety and comfort of their homes.   

But what about our youngest learners? It’s just as important that toddlers and preschoolers keep learning, and that they maintain schedules and routines. With so many early care and education (ECE) programs temporarily (we hope) closing, it’s been difficult for both parents and their young children. There’s now an alternative for those families – a Pop-up Early Learning Program developed by an Atlanta-based school. 

Child Care Aware^® of America's (CCAoA) biennial event, Symposium, takes place this spring. Join CCAoA on May 3-6, 2020 near Arlington, Virginia as we bring together individuals from across the country to discuss research, policy and practices related to the early child care and education community. This year’s four-day event offers the opportunity to connect with thought leaders, Congressional staff and early education professionals to work towards quality and affordable child care.

This year, we’re also introducing our new pre-conference event for Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies!  

July is the hottest time of year for much of the United States, according to the Weather Channel. With relative humidity and actual air temperature both peaking during the later summer months, the end of summer can be especially hazardous to children playing outside. Rather than just sweating it out and complaining about the heat, it’s critical to learn how to keep parents, child care providers and children safe when playing outside this summer. 

Early childhood professionals, researchers and policymakers are talking about childhood trauma. Traumatic events that children experience include abuse or neglect, divorce, or the incarceration of a parent. These experiences, known as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), are common, often occur together and can impact long-term health outcomes such as heart disease, diabetes and even cancer.