Ready to earn a CDA credential?Start in September and Graduate in June!

The Child Development Associate (CDA) is a national credential for early childhood professionals. If you are a child care provider who is interested in advancing your education, earning a CDA can be a great step on your career pathway. It can increase your confidence with children and qualify you for a broader range of early childhood job opportunities. In addition, earning a CDA will benefit you and your employer, if you participate in Washington’s Early Achievers program.

To earn a CDA, you must take classes in specific areas and fulfill other requirements. The Child Care Action Council’s “CDA Cohort” is a program designed to support you through the process. The CDA Cohort is a class of students who attend CDA courses and complete other CDA requirements with support from one another and from outstanding instructors and advisors.The 2012-2013 CDA Cohort:• Begins Sept. 25, 2012• Includes classes every Tuesday night, 6:30-9 pm, Sept. 25-May

• Includes class on one Saturday per month, 9 am-2:30 pm, September-May

• Meets at the CCAC Training Academy in Olympia• Offers assistance with CDA

written requirements• Will include a graduation

ceremony in June

Cost (select one option):• 1 payment of $900

• 3 payments to total $1,000

• Pay for each class as you go ($10 per hour of class), for a total paid of $1200

CCAC is a proud member of:

July - September 2012 • Volume 23 Issue 3

ChIlD CArE ACTIOn COunCIl

Provider Services: (360) 754-0817 or 800-845-0956 • Parent Referrals (360) 754-0810 or 800-446-1114

Business & Programs (360) 786-8907

P.O. Box 446 or 3729 Griffin Lane, Olympia, WA 98507

ccacwa.org

DID YOU KNOW....Beginning in 2013, providers will be

eligible to receive monetary rewards based on their participation in MErIT

and verification of their education, as well as for progressing on Washington’s

Career lattice by 2015? For more information on this topic, visit DEL’s

website:www.del.wa.gov/requirements/

professional/lattice.aspx

Don’t See Your Classes in MERIT?Don’t Worry, They’re Coming!Most of your training is tracked in DEL’s Managed Education and registry Infor-mation Tool (MErIT). howev-er, training done through the Child Care Action Council, or other Child Care Aware, is nOT currently tracked in MErIT. This is a temporary situation, due to the fact that a data-sharing bridge is being built, in order to share information be-tween the Child Care Action Council and MErIT. Once that bridge is complete, your Child Care Action Council training will appear in MErIT. This is estimated to happen in early 2013. In the meantime, remember to save all of your training certificates in order to verify your training.

The Great Outdoors is Calling!Many older adults remember having plenty of free-time to play outside as kids. Time to explore, imagine, adventure or just “be.” Unfortunately, with their packed schedules, many kids don’t have access to nature much anymore. As summer starts to bloom in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, here are some reminders about the importance of outdoor play and a few ideas to spark your interest in fresh air.

For More Ideas: naturallearning.org childrenandnature.org

Benefits of Outdoor Play in a Natural Environment:• Increases physical and mental health/deceases effects of stress• Encourages imaginative play and creativity• helps children gain respect for the natural world and for each other• Develops problem solving and thinking skills through

exploration and discovery• Engages sense of wonder

Ideas for Outdoor Activities - Parks, Woods, Fields and Beaches:• have a scavenger hunt for things found in nature• Start a collection of patterns in natural objects, leaves, rocks• Draw in the dirt/make mud pies!• Create a fairy village (tiny houses out of sticks and leaves)• Pretend to be animals/bugs in their natural environments• Find a special “sit spot” for a quiet moment of reflection

Ideas for creating a more natural area in your existing play area:• Mow a meadow maze• Grow a sunflower house, vine tepee or a willow dome• Plant ornamental grasses between a winding path• Create a rain garden or dry riverbed with rocks• Dig a hole for dirt play and use the dug-up sod to create a hill

See page 2 or online at ccacwa.org for class descriptionLearn more at our August 7th class, “Summertime Wonder!”

What is Early Achievers?A voluntary program that empowers providers and educators with coaching and resources to support each child’s learning and development so they can develop the skills they need to be successful in school and life!

How Does Early Achievers Work?• Beginning Jan. 2013, Thurston, Mason and Grays

harbor counties will have the opportunity to enroll• Participants will have access to a variety of support

and resources to help them improve their quality of care and achieve higher Early Achiever ratings

• A higher rating means the provider has demonstrated a solid track record for providing high-quality care

• Simply by participating, providers demonstrate a com-mittment to improving quality

• Ratings for providers will be available on DEL’s website

What Do I Do Now?Stay tuned for more information as January approaches.

The Washington State Child Care Resource & Referral network changed its name July 1 to Child Care Aware of Washington. The National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) officially changed its name to Child Care Aware of America in March 2012. The change was part of a national effort to create a strong, recognizable, national brand that any-one, anywhere will associate with quality child care.

In addition, the state organization is consolidating its regions from 11 to seven. CCAC provides Child Care Aware services in Thurston, Mason, Kitsap, Clallam, Jef-ferson and Grays Harbor counties. Now Lewis and Pacific counties are part of CCA of Southwest WA. However, we still welcome all counties to attend our professional de-velopment training, and we will continue to manage the Infant and Toddler project and offer raising A reader in Lewis and Pacific counties.

CCAC Provides Child Care Aware Services For:Thurston, Mason, Kitsap, Clallam, Jefferson & Grays Harbor Counties

CCAC Class Registration FormRegistrant Information

name: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone: _____________________________________________________ Email: ________________________________________________

Payment Method: Note, registration is only complete with a valid method of payment

name on Card: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Billing Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

number: _____________________________________________________ Exp: ___________________ Security Code: ______________

Authorized Signature: _______________________________________________ o Visa o MasterCard o American Express

Participant Name Class Title Class Date Cost

Total Enclosed:

Complete and send this registration and payment to: PO Box 446; Olympia, WA 98507 or call 360.754.0817 or register online at ccacwa.org

AugustSummertime Wonder: TCCompetency Area II: Curriculum & learning; CDA #2 Skill level 2Tuesday, Aug 7 • 6:30 – 8:30p (2 STARS) Cost: $20CCAC • 3729 Griffin Lane SE • Olympia WA 98501Exposure to the natural world provides numerous benefits for children. It enriches imaginative play, provides opportunities to meet challenges and solve problems, and improves physical and mental health. This class will explore ideas for outdoor play and observation, and will give teachers hands-on activities for integrating nature into the classroom. Instructor: Ellen Zito

Early Learning is Shaped by You- Caring for Infants and Toddlers: TCCompetency Area I: Growth & Development; CDA #8 Skill level 2Saturday Aug 18 • 8:30a – 3:00p (6 STARS) Cost: FREECCAC • 3729 Griffin Lane SE • Olympia WA 98501This class will focus on the unique needs of infants and toddlers. Come learn about Washington’s new Early Learning Guidelines, and how they can help us understand child development and build secure relationships. We will also discuss strategies for supporting the families of infants and toddlers. 30 min. lunch break provided. Instructor: Karin Anderson

What’s a CDA? : TCTuesday, Aug 21 • 6:30 – 7:30p Cost: FREECCAC • 3729 Griffin Lane SE • Olympia WA 98501Are you are wondering if you should begin working on a Child Development Associate credential? If so, please attend this short information session. No STARS hours are provided, but we hope to help you make your decision. (Those who have already decided to pursue a CDA through our Cohort should skip this session and begin on 9/25/12.) Instructor: Connie Dougherty

Infant, Child & Adult CPR & First Aid: TCCompetency Area V: health, Safety & nutrition; CDA #1 Skill level 1Saturday, Aug 25 • 8:00a – 2:00p Cost: $50CCAC • 3729 Griffin Lane SE • Olympia WA 98501 Meets DEL requirements for child care providers. Please bring lunch.

SeptemberBloodborne Pathogens: TCCompetency Area V: health, Safety &nutrition; CDA #1 Skill level 1Thursday, Sept 13 • 6:30 – 8:30p Cost: $20CCAC • 3729 Griffin Lane SE • Olympia WA 98501learn about bloodborne pathogens and disease prevention and meet DEL requirements for child care providers. Instructor: Debbie hasbrook, M.Ed.

Understanding the Roots of Behavior: GHCompetency Area VI: Interactions; CDA #3 Skill level 3 Saturday, Sept 15 • 9:30a – 12:00p (2.5 STARS) Cost: $25Keystone Learning Center • Aldergrove Church 1800 Coolidge Rd • Aberdeen WA 98520Challenging behaviors are often the result of unmet needs. learn more about the important social and emotional needs of children, and what you can do to meet those needs. When needs are met, children will behave better and be ready to learn. Instructor: Connie Dougherty

20 - Hour Child Care Basics for Mixed Audiences: TCAll Competency Areas; CDA: All Skill level 1Saturdays, Sept 15 & 22 • 8:30a – 4:30p Cost: $150CCAC • 3729 Griffin Lane SE • Olympia WA 98501Meets the STARS 20-Hour Basic Training requirements for family child care and center providers. Includes an intro to child development, child guidance, health and safety, administration and more. Class meets for 16 hours with 4 hours of required homework. Bring your food for a working lunch. This is a multi day class taking place on 9/15 & 9/22. Instructor: Amy delonien

Your CDA Pathway: TCCompetency Area V1: Development & leadership; CDA #6 Skill level 2Tuesday, Sept 25 • 6:30 – 9:00p (2.5 STARS) Cost: $25CCAC • 3729 Griffin Lane SE • Olympia WA 98501This is the first class of the CDA Cohort and will lay important groundwork for future classes. Learn the specific requirements for earning a CDA credential and how CCAC will support you through the process. Instructor: Sheryl Garrison, M.Ed.

More classes throughout entire region offered in fall newsletterNewsletters will be mailed in September, or sign up for the e-newsletter at ccacwa.org for advance notice

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PAIDOlympia, WAPermit #280

ChIlD CArE ACTIOn COunCIlP.O. Box 446Olympia, WA 98507-0446

Try our improved

online registration

at ccacwa.org

Our Phone NumbersHave Changed! The numbers may have changed, but we haven’t! We’re here to support you in the important work you do! Call us with questions.

Find Us on Facebook to:• Share your story and photos• Access provider resources• Discover fun activities • Participate in giveaways• Stay current in news and policies

• register for classes• General support• update provider record

Provider Resources360-754-0817 800-845-0956

Parent Referrals

360-754-0810 800-446-1114

Business & Programs360-786-8907

• Access centralized referral line

• reach staff or program using extension numbers

Annie Cubberly • Executive Director annie@ccacwa.org, x101

Connie Dougherty • Professional Development connie@ccacwa.org, x108 Danielle King • Safe Kids danielle@ccacwa.org, x107

Fran Williams • Parent Education & Raising A Reader fran@ccacwa.org, x111

Jenae Elliott • Marketing & Development jenae@ccacwa.org, x140

Karin Anderson • Special Needs Consultations karin@ccacwa.org, x146

Nancy Hobson • Homeless Child Care & Keystone Crisis Nursery nancy@ccacwa.org, x100

Sokha Bunn • Army Child Care in Your Neighborhood sokha@ccacwa.org, x105

How to Reach Staff:Call 360-786-8907and use extention numbers

see extensions one the right>>