For Providers

Quality Support

The CRCPC is committed to offering providers opportunities to improve quality on both the educator and program levels that are of the highest quality and responsive to local need. As a resource center, we both provide professional development opportunities locally and link educators to other opportunities both regionally and state wide.

EEC Licensing

EEC Regulation Updates

EEC has adopted new licensing regulations, which will go into effect in January of 2010. It is critical that providers are paying attention to the EEC website as changes, trainings and other important and helpful information will be posted regularly!   EEC has scheduled meetings around the state so that providers have access to the must current information on the New Regulations. Check out their web page about Questions and Answers regarding new Family, Group and School Age Child Care Regulations.

Please contact Connie Jones at charlesrivercpc@gmail.com if you have questions about the new regulations and how they may affect your program!

Professional Development

Local Professional Development Opportunities

The CRCPC works closely with a network of other CFCE grantees to offer exciting professional opportunities right here in our community!

EEC Professional Development Calendar

IF you still need more training hours, please check out the Professional Development Calendar on the EEC website ! Their calendar search service shows workshops, courses and conferences from all over the state. Responding to your unique needs, the calendar allows you to sort by topic or by region. Check it out!

Other sources for Professional Development for Early Educators:
Compass for Kids (formerly Parenting Resource Associates) http://www.parentingresourcesassociates.org/
The Institute for Education and Professional Development http://www.iepd.org/

NAEYC

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is globally recognized as the standard for high quality early education and care. Here in Massachusetts, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Early Education and Care both recognize accreditation by NAEYC to be exemplary. Our local council is committed to supporting programs both technically and financially through the very complex NAEYC process.

Current NAEYC Accredited Programs in our community

The following programs have achieved the highly coveted national accreditation from the National Association of the Education of Young Children (www.naeyc.org).  For more on why this is an important consideration, contact Connie Jones.


NAEYC Mentoring Network:
Seeking to capitalize on the strengths of the providers who have successfully completed the NAEYC accreditation process under the newly revised system, the CRCPC, in collaboration with the Westwood Early Childhood Office, is establishing a Mentoring Network. This network will link providers who are early in the process with colleagues who can offer support and technical assistance.

For more information, Contact the Partnership Office.

Family Childcare Providers

Technical and financial assistance is also available for family childcare providers who are interested in attaining a CDA (Child Development Credential) or are looking to seek national accreditation through the National Association of Family Child Care.  Please contact the CRCPC office.

Pathways to a College Degree

Career Counseling
Most local colleges provide career counseling at no charge to those in the early education and care field. If you are puzzled by where you need to move professionally, or if know where you want to end up, but need some support developing a plan to get there, please contact your local college or university early childhood department (see below for links).  You can also call the CRCPC office for more information, or to help you make that initial connection.

Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program
The Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program was funded as a pilot initiative by the Massachusetts Legislature (through the Department of Early Education and Care) for the purpose of increasing the quality and availability of teachers and care providers to work with young children and youth in inclusive settings including infant/toddler, preschool and school age programs. The scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance for currently employed early childhood and out of school time educators and providers who enroll in an associate or bachelor degree program in Early Childhood Education or related programs.

Building Careers
Building Careers in Early Education and Care (Building Careers), also offered by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, funds college courses and academic advising for early education and care and out-of-school time educators who are seeking a degree in early childhood education or a related field. The program is designed to help non-traditional students succeed academically and professionally by providing career and academic advising, using a cohort model, and scheduling courses at times that are convenient for working adults.

Contact the college near you from the list below for more information on Building Careers.
Anna Maria College
Becker College
Berkshire Community College
Bridgewater State College
Bristol Community College
Bunker Hill Community College
Cape Cod Community College
Fitchburg State College
Greenfield Community College
Holyoke Community College
Mass Bay Community College in Wellesley
Massasoit Community College
Middlesex Community College
Mount Wachusett Community College
North Shore Community College
Northern Essex Community College
Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester
Salem State College
University of Massachusetts Boston
Urban College of Boston

MORE COLLEGES THAT DO EEC

• Dean College in Franklin
  
• Framingham State College in Framinham
  
• Boston College in Newton
  
• Wheelock College in Boston
  

Additional Resources

Early Childhood Resource Center at the Norfolk Public Library

The Early Childhood Resource Center is funded by the Massachusetts Dept. of Early Education and Care and is housed at the Norfolk Public Library.  This center contains a wide variety of materials, services, and programs for teachers, administrators, students, child care providers, and parents who work with young children. Professional resource books, parenting books, videos & dvds, teaching curriculum kits, themed picture books, big books, and many other items are available for borrowing at no charge.

Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)

From the EEC Website:

“A Quality Rating & Improvement System (QRIS) is a method to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early care & education and after-school settings.
(Stair Steps to Quality, United Way Success by Six, p. 4)

In Massachusetts, EEC formally began developing a QRIS during the spring of 2008.
Seventeen other states have developed QRIS over the past decade. QRIS are a fast-spreading policy innovation because they align standards, supports to programs, and accountability efforts into one non-duplicative system.

There are many benefits to QRIS including:
If you have questions about the QRIS and how it will impact your licensed or license-exempt early education and care program, please contact Connie Jones.

Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies

Home Health and Childcare
Childcare Connection
Childcare SEARCH
Child Care Resource Center


Contact Information:
Connie Jones, Consultant, Charles River CPC
Memorial School
59 Adams Street
Medfield, MA 02052
Phone:  508-359-5135
Email:  charlesrivercpc@gmail.com