April 9 Child Care Provider Updates Week of the Young Child Governor Evers has declared April 6-12, 2024, as the Week of the Young Child. See the full proclamation online. Week of the Young Child has been celebrated nationwide since 1971, acknowledging the importance of early care and education. Participate in the YoungStar Analysis and Update Project The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is doing an analysis and update of YoungStar, Wisconsin’s child care quality rating and improvement system (QRIS). Our goal is to make YoungStar a more effective tool for setting meaningful expectations for child care quality, communicating information about child care quality to parents and caregivers, and supporting child care programs to meet quality expectations. To achieve this goal, DCF is committed to learning from providers, educators, families, and other child care stakeholders. We will be hosting virtual and in-person listening sessions across the state. In-person listening sessions start in Milwaukee: Thursday, May 2 from 6-8 p.m. at TenderCare Christian Child Care Center. Read the flyer for details.Registration is required. Register to attend. Tuesday, May 7 from 6-8 p.m. at La Causa Charter School. This program will be in Spanish and English.Read the flyer for details.Registration is required. Register to attend. Our next listening sessions will be in Wausau and Green Bay. Stay tuned for more information on these and more listening sessions across the state. We are also launching a survey for parents and caregivers, providers, educators, and child care stakeholders. Take the survey. March Child Care Counts Update Period is Closed The latest payment program update period is closed. Applications for the March Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program Round 4 are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by April 12, 2024, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal. The next update period April 27 – May 5, 2024. See the Child Care Counts Calendar for future Count and Update Weeks. Child Care Counts Información en español. Statewide Pre-Season Day Camp Training on Tuesday Talks with DECE Come join us on April 16 for a free, statewide training for licensed day camp providers! The training will be part of the Tuesday Talks with DECE series and takes place on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. We will discuss various requirements for day camps before they are set to open for the 2024 season, such as background checks, pre-season trainings, and tips and tricks for compliance. Tuesday Talks can be accessed from this Zoom link, or you can download this re-occurring event for 2024 to add to your calendar. If you are unable to attend this session, the webinar will be recorded and posted for viewing at a later date. DCF is Hiring The Division of Early Care and Education, Bureau of Early Care Regulation, is currently recruiting to fill a Southern Regional Manager and Bilingual Licensing/Certification Specialist position. Southern Regional Manager - This position is responsible for overseeing the licensing and monitoring of family and group child care programs, day camps and license-exempt public school programs in Wisconsin’s southern counties. The deadline to apply for this position is April 16, 2024. View all open DCF positions at Wisc.Jobs. Bilingual Licensing/Certification Specialist – This position is assigned to monitor English and Spanish speaking child care programs to determine compliance with regulations established by the Department of Children and Families (DCF).This position is located in Milwaukee. This position is located in Milwaukee. The deadline to apply for this position is April 14, 2024. View all open DCF positions at Wisc.Jobs. Summer Camp Guidebook Now Available! Summer Camp Directors – Wisconsin Afterschool Network heard you! You asked for an accessible on-demand tool you can use as part of summer staff training that is flexible and relevant to summer programming. Download your free Summer Camp Guide Book today! This e-booklet focuses on different elements that front line staff will need in their “backpack” for success this summer. Each topic has been broken down into a webinar, a podcast, a short video, scenarios to review, and additional resources to be used in whatever manner works best for you and your staff. Questions? Email wisconsinafterschoolnetwork@marshfieldclinic.org Challenged by Challenging Behaviors in Your Child Care Program? Wisconsin Early Education Shared Services Network (WEESSN), a program of WECA, is offering full-day Conscious Discipline® trainings across Wisconsin this spring. Conscious Discipline is a nationally recognized, evidence-based approach that helps providers understand and navigate the complexities of child behavior. Cost for trainings is $25 to cover the cost of lunch and materials. Find all the details on the training flyer. If your program isn’t participating in WEESSN yet, it will be enrolled at no cost so you can take advantage of this great training – and many other benefits! Learn more about WEESSN. La Crosse: April 20Milwaukee: May 18*Madison: June 1*Wausau: June 8* Training in English and Spanish Spring 2024 Wisconsin’s 4K Leadership Forum: Free Virtual Forum & Networking Event Join the Spring 2024 Wisconsin's 4K Leadership Forum & Networking Event, a free virtual event designed to bring together leaders and advocates for interactive discussions and shared learning around 4-year-old kindergarten in Wisconsin. April 23, 2024 – 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Who Should Attend: District Leaders, Principals, Special Ed Admins, 4K Community Approach Partners, and anyone passionate about Wisconsin's 4K programs.Register Now! (Registration closes April 21, 2024.)Spring 2024 4K Leadership Flyer (PDF)Questions Contact: Tiffany Swain, swaint@cesa5.org.
