national provider appreciation day
TRANSCRIPT
May/June • 2020
New Providers
February 2020
Julie Glanz,
Woodbury
Andrea Segraves,
Hugo
March 2020
Laura Rahn,
Stillwater
Provider Milestones
5 Years Hollie Bennett
Briana Burt
10 Years Melody Bonneson
Constance Hill
15 Years Colleen Heine
25 Years Ildie Schwartz
Wendy Weberg
National Provider Appreciation Day
National Provider Day, also known as National Child Care Provider Day, is annually celebrated on the Friday before Mother’s Day. It is a special day set aside to recognize child care providers, teachers, and other educators of young children everywhere. Child care providers deserve a big “Thank you” for their dedication, commitment, and compassion. This year National Provider Appreciation Day is Friday, May 8!
Thank you for all you do for the children and the families you serve. You have an important job in building the future of our country. You may not hear the words often enough, but Thank You and you are appreciated!
Coronavirus Disease Update
These are unprecedented times and news is changing at a fast pace. Please keep yourself current with resources and updates that may affect child care licensing on our website: www.co.washington.mn.us/coronavirusupdates-childcareproviders.
Licenses that were expiring April 1, May 1, or June 1 will automatically be extended for 90 days. Although licensors are working remotely at times to observe social distancing, we are still working. If you need anything or have questions, don’t hesitate to ask. Other important contact information that may be helpful in the current situation:
Minnesota Department of Heath Hotline: 651-201-3920 (7 a.m.-7 p.m.) Minnesota Department of Human Services Hotline: 1-888-234-1268 (7 a.m.-7 p.m.) Email for COVID-19 health related questions: [email protected]
As you know, we have had to cancel all of our fingerprint clinics for the time being. This has been happening state-wide and DHS understands currently licensed providers are not going to be able to get an enhanced background study at this time. DHS is suspending the roll out of the enhanced background study right now. They are working on a plan for when the peace time state of emergency ends. We will update you when we hear the plans and how Washington County is going to provide opportunities for fingerprinting.
If you have a new household member or employee, we are able to run a temporary back-ground study that would not include fingerprints. Contact your licensor if you have a new person who needs a background study:
The person can reside or care for children immediately after submitting the background study, you do not have to wait for a clearance letter.
The cost of the new background studies is $20; this is the minimal amount allowed to charge.
When the peace time emergency is over, a new enhanced background study will be needed.
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Provider Highlight
This month we are not choosing an individual to highlight. Instead we want to share all the creative, loving, and educational ideas that providers have been practicing during this pandemic. Licensors are truly amazed at your resourcefulness. We are sure that there are many more great things happening out there, but these are just some of the ones we have heard about. Keep up the amazing work!
Hosting weekly Zoom circle time with the children not currently in care
One provider dressed up as the Easter Bunny and visited her child care children
Preschool curriculum sent home with families who are not currently in care
Delivered Easter Baskets to all kids in her program
Taking extra webinar classes since so many are available at this time
Researching new curriculum and preschool themes Sending Scholastic books home with the children Mailing coloring sheets to children at home and coloring
together on Facetime Facetiming kids so they stay in contact Child care program made cards to send to a local nursing
home Child care program used chalk to color happy pictures for
neighbors Painting rocks with child care and decorated trees around
a local park Picked up garbage together on Earth Day Helping school age children with their daily lessons
Homemade Mask Donations
Calling all volunteers! Washington County is working with community partners to help coordinate the creation and donation of homemade masks. These homemade masks will be donated to help protect healthcare professionals and those in long-term care. This initiative was inspired by Stillwater Cares, a grassroots effort that has delivered more than 5,000 masks to
local hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and elder-care facilities. Washington County is proud to support and expand this effort across the county. While a homemade cloth mask or face covering can prevent your germs from infecting others, wearing a mask does not protect you from others who may spread the virus. Continue following social distancing recommendations. Washington County is facilitating the pickup and drop-off of supplies,
kits, and finished masks. Whether or not you have sewing skills, there are ways that everyone can help! We ask that all volunteers complete your tasks within 48 hours of picking up supplies so we can quickly provide masks to those who need them most. Please do not participate if you feel unwell, have any symptoms of COVID-19, or have been in contact with someone with symptoms. We are looking for volunteers to donate materials, assemble kits, and sew masks. Interested in helping in some capacity? Call 430-6990 or email [email protected].
Caring & Sharing
Rule Reminders
PETS More time at home due to the stay-at-home order and thinking this is a good time to get a new pet? Minnesota child care rules limit the animals that providers can keep while operating a family daycare for the health and safety of the children. Any deviation from the approved list would require a variance. Certain animals such as reptiles and amphibians are not allowed because of the possibility of salmonella. If you are ever considering an animal not on this list, please contact your licensor before purchase. 9502.0435, subp. 12; All pets housed within the residence shall be maintained in good health and limited to dogs, cats, fish, guinea pigs, gerbils, rabbits, hamsters, rats, mice, and birds; if the birds are clear of chlamydia psittaci. The provider shall ensure:
A. parents are notified prior to admission of the presence of pets in the residence;
B. children handle animals only with supervision; C. rabies shots and tags are current for all dogs and cats; D. pet cages are located and cleaned away from any food
preparation, storage, or serving areas; E. play areas are free of animal excrement not confined to
pet cages; F. parents of a child whose skin is broken by an animal bite
or scratch, are notified of the injury on the day the injury occurs.
POOLS Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.14, subdivision 10, addresses the use of wading pools in family child care. A portable wading pool may have maximum depth of 24 inches and must be capable of being manually emptied and moved. Providers must have parental or legal guardian consent for each child to use a wading pool. The written consent must include a statement that the parent or legal guardian has received the information related to the risks of disease transmission as well as other health risks associated with the use of portable wading pools. Providers who wish to use a swimming pool for child care children must notify their licensor before children use the pool each year so the licensor can visit to ensure that all safety requirements are met. Providers who use a swimming pool must follow Minnesota Statutes 245A.14, subd. 11. Constant supervision of children in any type of water is essential. Pools at a child care residence should be kept inaccessible to children except during periods of supervised use. Parental Consent forms for the use of swimming and wading pools can be found on the county website at: www.co.washington.mn.us/3121/Forms.
May/June • 2020 Page 3
Learning for Kids
With museums and parks closed due to COVID-19, many of these institutions have started virtual field trips and learning experiences. Here are some to check out with the kids:
MetKids: This site from New York City’s Museum of Metropolitan Art lets kids explore the famous museum with an interactive map. Behind-the-scenes videos
feature kids like them and they travel in a time machine to explore thousands of years of art. www.metmuseum.org/art/online-features/metkids
Monterey Bay Aquarium: A great live animal site is the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California. They have cameras where you can watch the ocean, sea otters, sharks, birds, or coral reefs.
www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams San Diego Zoo: Take a peek into various zoo exhibits
with live cameras from the San Diego Zoo. You can view
live action on pandas, penguins, elephants, and more! https://kids.sandiegozoo.org/videos Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History:
Washington DC’s National Museum of Natural History offers a peek at treasures with an online virtual tour of the entire grounds. Some highlights include the Hall of Mammals and Dinosaurs Hall.
https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour Take a Virtual Walk on Mars: Thanks for NASA’s Curiosity rover, you can explore the surface of Mars in a
360-degree view while learning about space exploration. https://accessmars.withgoogle.com
Visit Yellowstone National Park: Yellowstone National Park is huge. Take a virtual tour to see the geysers,
waterfalls, animals, and other geological sites at this great park. www.nps.gov/yell/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtours.htm
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Caring & Sharing
Turn Recycled Materials into Green Fun and Games
Reduce, reuse, recycle. We hear this a lot when it comes to our households, but creating toys and games from recycled materials is a great way to give discarded items a second life. Craft time also improves a child’s motor and cognitive skills, as they tap into their imagination and create with their hands. Here are a few ideas to get started. Water wall: Gather plastic bottles, food containers, and twist ties. Cut off the bottoms of the containers to form tubes and poke holes through the plastic for the ties. Toward the top of a chain link fence, tie on the first container. Continue to attach containers to the fence so when children pour water into the tubes, it will trickle down through the water wall. Place tubs at the bottom to recycle the water. Homemade instruments: Save empty tissue boxes and toilet paper or paper towel rolls. Wrap rubber bands lengthwise around the tissue box, and tape a cardboard roll to the top to create a guitar. Round out the band’s instruments with a coffee can, milk gallon drum, or tambourine made from adding dried beans to a jar with a tight-fitting lid. At-home grocery store: Save empty boxes and bottles from food items to set up a grocery store. Ask the child to make your shopping list. Use an old tissue box as a cash box, and cut strips of newspaper to make paper money to pay for the food. Paper mâché: Paper mâché is an ideal use for old newspaper, and this activity will span four or five days. On day one, tear the newspapers into strips. On day two, set out shoe boxes or aluminum cans, and create a paste solution of flour and water. Help the children dip strips of
paper into the paste and cover the boxes or cans. On day three or four, after the boxes are dry, lay out supplies for children to paint their masterpieces. After drying overnight, they’ll be ready to take home.
These links also have great craft ideas for recycling household items into toys and games:
Rethink Recycling Education.com FaveCrafts.com Parents.com For more information about how to encourage and support a child’s development, or refer a child, visit helpmegrowmn.org.
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Ways to Cope with Stress
The outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 may be stressful for many people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Ways to cope with stress:
Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting. Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well balanced meals.
Exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep. Avoid alcohol and drugs. Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy. Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about
your concerns and how you are feeling.
Source: www.CDC.gov
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Caring & Sharing
Training
DISCLAIMER: In preparation of this newsletter, every effort has been made to offer the most current, correct, and clearly expressed information possible. Nevertheless, inadvertent errors in information may occur. For training information, please check the sponsor listing to be certain of all the details related to the training.
SPONSORED BY:
Washington County Community Services
Registration is required as class sizes are limited! You will NOT receive a certificate of completion if you miss 15 minutes or more of training.
Registration: 651-430-8307 or [email protected] To register online, visit: www.co.washington.mn.us/2998/Training CARS (Children & Restraint Systems) Training Prior to transporting children under the age of 9, providers must satisfactorily complete a 3-hour training on the proper use/installation of child restraint systems. KCF: VII.B
Date/Time: Mon., June 15 • 6:00-9:00 p.m. Fee: $30.00/3 in-service hours Location: Washington Co. Gov. Center, Stillwater
*We are hoping to be able to offer this class in June. If stay- at-home order or social distancing dictates canceling, we will notify registrants and refund money.
PLA-INC. (Professional Learning Alternatives, Inc.)
Registration required. Visit https://pla-inc.org or call 651-464-8777 by at least three business days prior to the seminar. For security, do NOT leave credit card information in your voice mail or email. Arrive a bit early to order from the menu; outside food or beverages not allowed.
*Due to the uncertainties regarding physical distancing and business closures, class size will be limited. Contact the office at 651-464-8777 for updated information.
Avoiding Power Struggles Explore techniques that help parents and caregivers recognize when a power struggle is about to appear.
Define effective choices that are the founding principles in avoiding power struggles. Recognize that sharing control can lead to healthy social emotional development and positive relationships when supported with love and empathy. Based on the Love and Logic Parenting Made Fun!® curriculum. KCF: II.C
Date/Time: Mon., May 11 • 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fee/Credit: $22.00/2 in-service hours Location: Perkins Restaurant, Forest Lake
Caregiving Strategies: Building Resilience in Children at Risk Children may face many stressors that put their development at risk. In this interactive and informative session, participants will explore common internal and external stressors and risk factors for children. Participants will also examine strategies for strengthening resiliency in their child care programs. (CICC) KCF: II.C
Date/Time: Mon., June 15 • 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fee/Credit: $22.00/2 in-service hours Location: Perkins Restaurant, Forest Lake
Papillon Business Group Would you like to invest in and grow your business, gain insights from a peer advisory group in a confidential setting, or enhance your skills? Then contact our office today. There is no charge to attend your first meeting. Member fees discussed privately. Open to any Rule 2 or 3 business in good standing.
Date/Time: Mon., June 22 • 6:30-9:30 p.m. Fee/Credit: FREE/2 in-service hours Location: Perkins Restaurant, Blaine
Develop
Many online classes are available on Develop. Search for web-based learning and you will see many opportunities.
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County Libraries
In response to COVID-19, Washington County Library buildings are temporarily closed to the public. They will update the events schedule when the branches reopen. Modified services are available during reduced hours Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
for answers to questions and curbside pickup service.
In the meantime, enjoy Storytimes on the Go on the website and on the Facebook page every day at 10:30 a.m.
Child Care Licensing Program 14949 62nd St. N., P.O. Box 30 Stillwater, MN 55082-0030
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
The Child Care Licensing Program of Washington County Community Services publishes this newsletter bi-monthly. Comments or ideas for articles should be directed to Becky Knighton at 651-430-6574 or
Inside This Issue:
National Provider Appreciation Day
Coronavirus Disease Update
Provider Highlight
Homemade Mask Donations
Rule Reminders
Learning for Kids
Home Playground Safety Checklist
Turn Recycled Materials into Green Fun and Games
Ways to Cope with Stress
Parent Aware
Training
Washington County Child Care Licensors
Annie Walton .................................................................... 651-430-6539 [email protected] Becky Knighton ................................................................. 651-430-6574 [email protected] Jenna Stringer ................................................................... 651-430-6598 [email protected] Michelle McIntosh ............................................................ 651-430-6577
[email protected] Becky Motzko (Licensing Unit Supervisor) ....................... 651-430-6476 [email protected]
Email Child Care Licensing at: Visit our website at: www.co.washington.mn.us/childcarelicensing
Key Contacts
Language Line—Hmong, Spanish, Somali ........................ 651-665-0150 Parent Aware Coach 763-783-4881 Think Small: - Professional Development ............................................. 651-641-3549 - Grants ............................................................................. 651-287-6919
Training/Register for Classes through Develop: www.developtoolmn.org/app/default.aspx