Beyond Dane

Add Your Name Get your child care sticker

Early literacy recognizes that language, reading, and writing evolve from a number of earlier skills. The interactions that young children have with such literacy materials as books, paper, and crayons, and with the adults in their lives are the building blocks for language, reading and writing development. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3wQR8pH

What kind of art projects do you create with the children in your program? On Inspire Your Heart with Art Day, feel free to share some photos of the wonderful art created by the children in your care!


¿Qué tipo de proyectos de arte crea con los/as niños/as de su programa? En el Día de Inspirar el Corazón con Arte, no dude en compartir algunas fotos del maravilloso arte creado por los/as niños/as bajo su cuidado.

Save the date! The 2024 WECA Conference will return Oct. 10-12, 2024, at the Madison Marriott West in Middleton. We will share more details in the coming months, so keep watching your email inbox and WECA’s social media channels. We’re already looking forward to it, and hope you are, too!

¡Marque su calendario! La Conferencia de WECA 2024 regresará del 10 al 12 de octubre de 2024 en el Madison Marriott West en Middleton. Compartiremos más detalles en los próximos meses, así que este pendiente de su correo electrónico y los canales de redes sociales de WECA. Ya le estamos esperando y ¡ojalá usted también lo esté!

We Read this Winter Find the right play for your family

On the blog: WECA has significant resources to help support the sustainability of child care businesses, including coaching available through Wisconsin Early Education Shared Services Network (WEESSN). WEESSN coaches and valuable shared services tools can be instrumental partners in empowering providers’ journey to success.

This is especially important now in light of recent developments that will extend the Child Care Counts program through 2025 – support that is a lifeline but one with a deadline. It demands significant action on the part of child care providers to ensure the financial sustainability of their programs.

Read more insights here: https://weca.info/fundingblog

En nuestro blog: WECA tiene recursos importantes para ayudar a respaldar la sostenibilidad de los negocios de cuidado infantil, incluida capacitaciones disponibles a través de Wisconsin Early Education Shared Services Network (WEESSN). Los/as capacitadores/as de WEESSN y las valiosas herramientas de los servicios compartidos pueden ser apoyos fundamentales para empoderar el camino de los/as proveedores/as hacia el éxito.

Esto es especialmente importante ahora a la luz de los recientes acontecimientos que extenderán el programa Child Care Counts hasta 2025, un apoyo que es un salvavidas, pero que tiene una fecha límite. Exige una acción significativa por parte de los/as proveedores/as de cuidado infantil para garantizar la sostenibilidad financiera de sus programas.

Obtenga más información aquí: https://weca.info/fundingblog

Advancing Equity Initiative Creating equitable learning opportunities for young children is at the core of NAEYC’s mission. Learn about recent NAEYC initiatives, including the draft Position Statement on Advancing Equity and the summary of the Leading & Working toward Equity Summit.

Your state legislators need to hear from you: How are child care challenges affecting your program, your family, your community? Use this letter-writing portal to send a personalized message with your experiences to your state representative and state senator today. It takes less than 3 minutes.

Send now: https://bit.ly/Child_Care_is_in_Crisis

Los legisladores de su estado necesitan saber de usted: ¿Cómo afectan las dificultades del cuidado infantil a su programa, su familia y su comunidad? Utilice este portal para escribir cartas y enviar un mensaje personalizado con sus experiencias a su representante y senador estatal hoy mismo. Tarda menos de 3 minutos.

Envíela hoy: https://bit.ly/Child_Care_is_in_Crisis

If you have adults wondering why you are letting the kids “waste” time playing with blocks, you might want to share this video posted on Community Playthings (this is NOT an advertisement for their products):

Building STEM Skills Building STEM Skills

Go here to check or register to vote in Wisconsin:

https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Voter-Registration

When it comes to elections, your vote is your voice.

Together we can ensure our educators & their families receive the support and investment they need! To learn more about how to register to vote & your state's voting deadlines visit https://vote.gov/

The Power of Visual Supports in Promoting Positive Behavior and Communication Development in Young Children

Date: Saturday, November 4th, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Location: Sequoya Library, Madison, WI

Free event presented by your Beyond Dane chapter of WECA in partnership with Madison Public Library, 4-C Community Coordinated Child Care, Inc and Beyond Dane Chapter of the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA). The even is free but registration is required and space is limited. Register today!

https://events.madisonpubliclibrary.org/events/125579/power-visual-supports-promoting-positive-behavior-and-communication-development-young

Many young children are visual learners. Visual supports help promote positive behavior and communication development in young children. This free workshop is designed for early childhood providers and educators and will focus on use of visual supports and strategies in early childhood environments to promote positive behavior (e.g., setting clear expectations for success) and functional communication.

Come and join us for learning, community, and crafting! You will be walking out of this workshop with materials and visual supports you can use in your early childhood environment. Registry credit will be provided.

Register today! Registration is capped at 25 attendees, so be sure to register now to ensure your seat at this event.

Facilitators:
Elizabeth (Liz) Delsandro, MS., CCC-SLP, Clinical Faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Kathryn Basco, MA, CCC-SLP, Clinical Faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Advocacy opportunity: Child care is still “the story” across Wisconsin, as the crisis continues for families, providers, employers, and communities – and it will worsen when federal funding that has supported the industry ends in January. Use this new letter-writing portal to tell your state elected officials they need to invest significant state revenue into the state’s child care sector, especially with more than $4 billion in state surplus available.

Take a few minutes to personalize your letter with your experiences with child care. Legislators need to hear day-to-day experiences from providers, parents, employers, and community officials.

Send letter now: https://bit.ly/Child_Care_is_in_Crisis

Oportunidad de abogacía: El cuidado infantil sigue siendo “la historia” en todo Wisconsin, pero la crisis continúa para nuestras familias, proveedores, empleadores y comunidades, y empeorará en enero cuando finalicen los fondos federales que han apoyado a esta industria. Utilice este nuevo portal de redacción de cartas para pedir a los funcionarios electos del estado que necesitan invertir importantes ingresos estatales en el sector de cuidado infantil, especialmente con más de $4 mil millones en superávit estatal disponible.

Tómese unos minutos para personalizar su carta con sus experiencias con el cuidado infantil. Los legisladores necesitan escuchar las experiencias cotidianas de proveedores, familias, empleadores y funcionarios de la comunidad.

Envíe su carta ahora mismo: https://bit.ly/Child_Care_is_in_Crisis

We Want You!
Join the Beyond Dane Governing Board!

The Beyond Dane Chapter of WECA is looking for individuals to serve on its Governing Board. By being on our board, you can make a difference by:

Increasing your advocacy work for young children!
Helping to plan training events for early childhood professionals!
Building connections between members and other early childhood professionals of Dane County and beyond!
We welcome your nomination or self-nomination for one of our Member-At-Large positions on the Beyond Dane Chapter of WECA Board. Please complete the nomination form below by Monday, October 9, 2023.

COMPLETE NOMINATION FORM: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4SJArw9biEbmiN0FX-C8D-PX8BscyJUpQPD3BIQEsjQ0HPA/viewform

More About Beyond Dane
The mission of the Beyond Dane Chapter of WECA is to serve and act on behalf of the needs, rights, and well-being of all young children by supporting the early childhood professionals of Dane County and beyond.

We are committed to providing professional development opportunities that foster collaboration between early childhood programs, community, and practitioners and encourage advocacy for early childhood issues.
Benefits & Expectations of Board Members
Benefits
As a member of the Beyond Dane Chapter of WECA Board, you will be able to:

Attend Beyond Dane training events for free or at a reduced cost.
Develop professional skills including leadership, communication, & teamwork.
Contribute to the early childhood education community.
Expectations
As a member of the Beyond Dane Chapter of WECA Board, you will be expected to:

Attend at least 4 regular governing board meetings per year.
Actively participate on the board.
Attend Beyond Dane events.
Maintain membership in NAEYC/WECA/Beyond Dane (all one membership).

Please consider this incredible opportunity to make a difference!

Dear Colleagues
The time is now to tell your congressional representatives that we need to fix the way this country supports child care. Please read the following and write letters. Ask your parents/guardians to write letters. Just follow the link and add your name.
(Forwarded from a Zero to Three Post (https://www.zerotothree.org/issue-areas/child-care/))

Support Child Care Funding
Unless Congress acts by the end of this month, millions of kids are at risk of losing child care. It’s up to you to let your Members of Congress know that child care isn’t something our country can go without and that our babies deserve better. Time is of the essence! Take action now and urge your Members of Congress to support the Child Care Stabilization Act.

https://www.thinkbabies.org/take-action-email-supplemental-child-care-funds/

Support Child Care Funding Call on Congress to support critical funding for the child care sector before time runs out.

WECA Executive Director Ruth Schmidt today testified before the Assembly Committee on Children and Families to highlight a series of concerns about the package of child care bills that have been circulated in the Legislature. Her remarks cited challenges with several of the individual bills but focused on the need for a significant state investment into child care to help stabilize the sector as pandemic-relief funding winds down and will soon run out.

“We can’t lose sight of our why. Our why is ensuring every child in this state has access to safe, quality care,” she said. “Investing in child care industry stabilization will have lasting, positive effects on the development of young children, allow child care programs to keep serving working families, and support the state’s economic health.”

La directora ejecutiva de WECA, Ruth Schmidt, testificó hoy ante el Comité de la Asamblea sobre Niños y Familias (Assembly Committee on Children and Families) para destacar una serie de preocupaciones sobre el paquete de proyectos de ley de cuidado infantil que han circulado en la Legislatura. Sus comentarios citaron desafíos con varios de los proyectos de ley individuales, pero se centraron en la necesidad de una inversión estatal significativa en el cuidado infantil para ayudar a estabilizar el sector a medida que los fondos para el alivio de la pandemia se agotan y pronto se terminarán.

“No podemos perder de vista nuestro por qué. Nuestro motivo es garantizar que todos los/as niños/as de este estado tengan acceso a un cuidado seguro y de calidad”, dijo. "Invertir en la estabilización de la industria del cuidado infantil tendrá efectos positivos y duraderos en el desarrollo de los/as niños/as pequeños/as, permitirá que los programas de cuidado infantil sigan sirviendo a las familias trabajadoras y apoyará el bienestar económico del estado".

The death of a day care: When a child care center closes, an entire community is affected As many as 70,000 child care centers are projected to close in the next several months as pandemic-era federal funding ends, pushing an industry already in crisis to a breaking point.

This is important! While Governor Evers is working to support early childhood educators, your elected representatives are not! Don’t delay, write to them today! Get your parent and guardians to help!!

Advocacy alert! Use this letter-writing portal to tell your state Legislators it’s critical to invest in Child Care Counts when the special session of the Legislature begins on Sept. 20. You know Child Care Counts is essential for child care programs to stay open and staffed, tuition as reasonable as possible for working families, and the state economy strong. Note: The letter portal is available in English.

Make sure to include your stories in the letter. Send today: https://weca.info/CCCSpecialSessionLetters

¡Alerta de abogacía! Use este portal para escribir cartas y decirle a los/as legisladores/as estatales que es fundamental invertir en Child Care Counts cuando comience la sesión especial de la Legislatura el 20 de septiembre. Usted sabe que Child Care Counts es esencial para que los programas de cuidado infantil permanezcan abiertos y con personal, la matrícula sea lo más razonable posible para las familias trabajadoras, y la economía estatal se fortalezca. Nota: El portal de cartas está disponible en inglés.

Asegúrese de incluir su historia en la carta. Envíe su carta hoy: https://weca.info/CCCSpecialSessionLetters

Marque su calendario para esta importante sesión informativa en español sobre las becas, el apoyo a la compensación y recursos para el campo de la primera infancia de Wisconsin. Únase virtualmente al personal de WECA para obtener más información sobre cómo aprovechar al máximo los recursos del incentivo REWARD Wisconsin y el programa de becas T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Wisconsin para apoyarle a usted y a su equipo de trabajo.

Regístrese aquí: https://weca.info/registerSPA

Mark your calendars for this important Spanish-language informational session on scholarship and compensation support and resources for Wisconsin’s early childhood field. Join helpful WECA staff members virtually to learn more about how to make the most of the resources of the REWARD Wisconsin Stipend and T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Wisconsin programs to support yourself and your early childhood team.

Register here: https://weca.info/registerSPA

WECA’s Career Development Counseling service is making a positive impact on the lives of those navigating their professional journey in early childhood. As Gloria shared, she was worried about her minimal English ability and that there weren’t resources out there to assist her with learning more about early childhood programs and services. She ultimately was connected with WECA’s bilingual counseling staff, who immediately began providing insight and assistance, setting her on a path of growth.

“I was scared and worried and really thought no one cared about me. I thought I would have to struggle a lot. I quickly found out through the programs WECA offers that this was not true,” she said. “There are people that want to help me and see me grow and because of this I have been able to participate in T.E.A.C.H, open a business and now learn more about ways that I can continue to grow in my field and learn as much possible.”

El servicio de Consejería de Desarrollo Académico de WECA está teniendo un impacto positivo en las vidas de aquellos que navegan su trayectoria profesional en el campo de la primera infancia. Como compartió Gloria, estaba preocupada por su habilidad limitada en inglés y porque no había recursos para ayudarla a saber más sobre los programas y servicios para la primera infancia. Finalmente, se puso en contacto con la asesora bilingüe de WECA, quien inmediatamente comenzó a brindarle información y asistencia, ubicándola en un camino hacia el crecimiento.

“Estaba asustada y preocupada y realmente pensé que nadie se preocupaba por mí. Pensé que tendría que luchar mucho. Rápidamente descubrí, a través de los programas que ofrece WECA, que esto no era cierto”, dijo. “Hay personas que quieren ayudarme y verme crecer y por eso he podido participar en T.E.A.C.H, abrir un negocio y ahora aprender más sobre las formas en que puedo seguir avanzando en mi campo y aprender tanto como sea posible”.

From Raising Wisconsin ( https://www.raisingwisconsin.org/engage-your-legislators/) a call to action!

Department of Children and Families (DCF) just announced funding for Child Care Counts will be reduced starting with May 2023 payments. The announcement marks a decline in available funding for the program until it is set to fully end in January 2024.

El Departamento de Niños y Familias (DCF, en inglés) acaba de anunciar que los fondos para Child Care Counts se reducirán a partir de los pagos en mayo de 2023. El anuncio marca una disminución en los fondos disponibles para el programa hasta que finalice por completo en enero de 2024.

Attend our upcoming ECE Workforce Engagement Forum on April 27 at 6:30 p.m. This is a timely opportunity for those in direct care and administrator/director/owner roles to learn about how to tell your story, take advocacy actions, and support each other and the profession. It’s an event you don’t want to miss! Note, this event will be recorded, and the recording will be sent to attendees after the event with instructions about how to turn on Spanish-language subtitles (captions).

Asista a nuestro próximo Foro de participación de la fuerza laboral de la educación infantil el 27 de abril a las 6:30 p. m. Esta es una oportunidad para que aquellos en trabajos de cuidado directo y administradores/directores/propietarios aprendan cómo contar su historia, tomar medidas de abogacía y apoyarse mutuamente y a la profesión. ¡Es un evento que no se querrá perder! Tenga en cuenta que este evento se llevará a cabo en inglés, sin embargo, se grabará y la grabación se enviará a las personas interesadas con instrucciones sobre cómo activar los subtítulos en Español

Register for the forum/Registrese para el Foro:

https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001-HkNdi8L9S9YnHguTEWvd0bua2eTBr3lniZiYT_X9eWsaR4QGQ96NDTs6Yc5r88eiA5PMtFL-REA76Kz0DkUj3go7OM9fgr_0j3h2y57Wdg1oUNjaoXsc8jM4VbpjObyvBtBaqZQ8OCExmI0imfk_fJDe6QSal79h9xhzRhRoZQ76jn13HFFLvqEU5QN1-EA8-yDAqi4_TkEbYKpCviRZgufnkvrbQ7dKthdlIp8aENfu-01rLttjw==&c=I4JamyyoSktfiVXyxFyAogTcJGEvSEtyqRBe5W77vogz9GAOcscx-A==&ch=vf36fy_0NcjwGGG-BA7RZ4Oj4xH_bGjCeLl2gNi0v2PyAdsv6106aQ==

Engage Your Legislators | Raising Wisconsin Take Action Engage Your Legislators The time is now to take meaningful action to impact the well-being of Wisconsin’s young children and families during the 2023-25 state budget process. Check out the resources on this page to take easy, efficient steps to contact your elected officials and make y...

Tasty Tuesday Recording - English During Week of the Young Child, WEESSN held a Farm to ECE lunch session! In case you missed it, here is the recorded version. Please note: Wisconsin Registry...

The T.E.A.C.H. program is a fantastic opportunity for early childhood educators to support their higher education journey and gain the support they need to advance their studies and careers. T.E.A.C.H is here for you and wants you to succeed! Learn more about the program and the application process today: https://weca.info/TEACH

El programa T.E.A.C.H. es una oportunidad fantástica para respaldar a educadores de la primera infancia en su trayecto de educación superior para que avancen en sus estudios y carreras. ¡T.E.A.C.H está aquí para usted y quiere que tenga éxito! Obtenga más información sobre el programa y el proceso de aplicación hoy: https://wisconsinearlychildhood.org/programs/t-e-a-c-h/oportunidades-de-beca-para-educadores-de-la-primera-infancia/

Grab your instruments, best dance moves, and singing voices to join us for a virtual concert with special guest stars, Gemini! Please note that some of the anticipated songs will be in Spanish. Those who attend will be entered into a drawing to win children’s instrument kits! Groove over to this link and join us: https://weca.info/MiniConcert

Are you looking for new and engaging ways to introduce literacy into your program? This webinar is for you! We have partnered with PBS Wisconsin to explore new strategies for integrating playful media literacy into your learning environment. This free event requires registration, so please sign up before the scheduled session through this link: https://weca.info/PBSReg

¡Tomen sus instrumentos, los mejores pasos de baile y las voces para cantar y unirse a nosotros/as en un concierto virtual con las estrellas especiales invitadas “Gemini”! Tenga en cuenta que algunas de las canciones preparadas estarán en español. ¡Quienes asistan participarán en un sorteo para ganar kits de instrumentos para niños/as! Ingrese a este enlace y únase a nosotros/as: https://weca.info/MiniConcert

¿Está buscando formas nuevas y atractivas de introducir la alfabetización en su programa? ¡Este seminario web es para usted! Nos hemos asociado con PBS Wisconsin para explorar nuevas estrategias para integrar la alfabetización lúdica usando medios de comunicación en su entorno de aprendizaje. Este evento gratuito requiere registrarse previamente a través de este enlace: https://weca.info/PBSReg

Spring is finally here, but fall will also be here before we know it! If you haven’t already, save the date for the 2023 WECA Conference, being held Oct. 19-21 at the Marriott in Middleton! You won’t want to miss the lineup of keynotes, sessions, and other activities, so stay tuned to our website and social media channels for more details as they’re finalized. We’ll share updates when they’re available! We’re looking forward to a great event.

La primavera finalmente está aquí, ¡pero el otoño estará aquí antes de que nos demos cuenta! Si aún no lo ha hecho, reserve la fecha para la Conferencia de WECA 2023 que se llevará a cabo del 19 al 21 de octubre en el Hotel Marriott en Middleton. No querrá perderse las conferencias principales, las sesiones y otras actividades así que esté atento/a a nuestro sitio web y redes sociales para obtener más detalles. ¡Compartiremos actualizaciones cuando estén disponibles! Esperamos tener un gran evento.

Today we're launching a call your legislators campaign! Join the effort to communicate with state representatives and senators about the importance of the continuation of the Child Care Counts Program. Want to take part? We have a guide that covers how to find your elected officials’ contact information and tips for navigating the conversation. And, don’t worry: If you don’t reach your legislators directly, it’s great to speak with their staff members, who will pass along your comments.

Download the guide here: https://bit.ly/RWcallcampaign23

More strategies for engaging your legislators is at: www.raisingwisconsin.org/engage-your-legislators/

Planning to apply for the T.E.A.C.H. program? Don’t delay – get your application materials in as soon as possible! The deadline for the summer 2023 semester is April 1. Learn more about T.E.A.C.H. here: https://wisconsinearlychildhood.org/programs/t-e-a-c-h/apply-for-a-t-e-a-c-h-scholarship/

¿Está planeando solicitar una beca del programa T.E.A.C.H.? No se tarde: ¡envíe su solicitud lo antes posible! La fecha límite para el semestre de verano de 2023 es abril 1. Obtenga más información sobre T.E.A.C.H. aquí: https://wisconsinearlychildhood.org/programs/t-e-a-c-h/oportunidades-de-beca-para-educadores-de-la-primera-infancia/

We love to hear your perspective. Early childhood educators, what is the No. 1 tip you would share with an educator who is just starting their journey in the in the field?

Nos encanta conocer su perspectiva. Educadores de la primera infancia, ¿cuál es el consejo número 1 que compartiría con un educador que recién comienza su trayectoria en este campo?