Training Courses Give Childcare Providers The Tools And Support They Need

By Tanjua Damon

The development of children is important. Having educated, caring people to take care of them while parents are at work is something the Early Care and Education Training Institute (ECETI) is helping make happen trough its education and training programs.

In Newtown, there are ten childcare centers and 25 family care providers (in-home caregivers), according to Anne Mead, director of ECETI. Helping provide education and training is a key aspect of the organization.

“We want to support and improve the quality of all early child care programs, whether it be for a relative caring for children or family child care providers in preschools, nursery schools, or centers,” she said. “Any programs that deal with children.”

ECETI started in 1997 and currently has an office in Newtown. It is not a staffed location at this time because money is being directed to programs right now, Ms Mead said. But a future staffed office is planned. The organization began out of the need for training in the area.

Part of the training ECETI provides is the statewide training program called Connecticut Charts-A-Course Training. It is state approved, but is not required to be completed by all childcare providers.

There are four modules totaling 180 hours in the training. The first one is 15 hours covering health, safe environment, ages and stages, typical and atypical development, advancing cognitive skills, outdoor environment, and learning how to advance play skills.

The second module is 30 hours of reviewing what was covered in module one, plus assessing children, learning program management, communication with families, and professional development. The third module deals with related topics from the first two sections. It is a 45-hour course. Finally, in module four participants put into action what they have learned in the initial three modules doing observations and preparation.

“We have two three-hour visits where we actually go visit with them and bring supplies,” Ms Mead said. “We individualize what they have learned in the classroom to their home or center.”

In the State of Connecticut, to become a licensed in-home provider, you only need first aid, according to Ms Mead. A provider working at a childcare center needs first aid and other educational training.

“The state is not mandating additional education for providers,” Ms Mead said. “But they are encouraging them.”

Once a participant has completed the 180-hour Chart-A-Course, they can then apply for a Child Development Associate Credential, Ms Mead said. An articulation test is required. The course can equal six college credits from Charter Oak College. ECETI provides the Chart-A-Course training locally.

Wesley Learning Center teachers Kim DelVento and Debbie Daniels are just about finished with the 180 hours. Both in part took the course so they could be teachers at the center.

“It was something I wanted to do,” Ms Daniels said. “Kim and I, we really wanted to teach together.”

Ms Daniels said it is worth the time to take Chart-A-Course not only to develop professionally, but personally too.

“Do it. It’s easy,” she said. “It’s two nights a week totaling about 6 hours. The nice thing about class is the feedback you get from others and there is good brainstorming.”

Ms DelVento took the class to be able to be a teacher, but also to be a better parent.

“I’ve learned about children as a whole – the whole child,” Ms DelVento said. “I also wanted to be a better parent of my son. That’s how I started out. I wanted to pursue it being that I’ve learned all these different kinds of things. I’ve got more patience. He [her son] says things to me and I know why he is saying them.”

ECETI has provided 300 workshops since its beginning in July 1997, with 759 different participants attending, 15 from Newtown and Sandy Hook, Ms Mead said. The organization offers courses to centers and family providers who call and regular scheduled programs at Datahr and Rogers Park Middle School in Danbury.

Other programs offered to childcare providers by ECETI include CPR, OSHA Class, The Power of Play, Sock-ups, Favorite Little Scientist, Child Development Workshops, and the Chart-A-Course Modules.  Classes are also offered to people who are caring for relative children -– Caring for My Baby’s Babies.

“Whether you have fallen into doing childcare or you’ve made the conscious decision, our basis is you need support and education,” Ms Mead said. “You need to have education.”

ECETI receives funding through grants, private donations, volunteerism, and provider fees. For more information call 203/426-9663 or write to ECETI, 8 Spruce Drive, Sandy Hook, CT 06482.