Video: Daycare Providers Get Resources At Free Workshop

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TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Daycare owners and workers face a huge responsibility daily.  They look after children, and have to keep up with ever changing federal guidelines.

As the owner of Rabbit Patch Daycare, Cathy Davis has a busy schedule. But she took some time to attend a free training session at ICC’s Tupelo Campus.

“We need all the help we can get to try and provide quality childcare,” Davis said.

That help is coming from The Center for Education Innovation.”  The Jackson based non profit is trying to make childcare and Head Start Providers aware of an online resource the group developed.   It’s called The Mississippi Alliance of Early Learning Resources.

“It’s designed to be a one stop shop to give them resources on operating centers, saving some money and saving some time,” said Angela Carson, who led a two hour session that took participants through the website, which includes classroom materials,  templates for textbooks and special events.  There are also opportunities for childcare centers to get discounts when purchasing certain supplies through a network established by the non profit.

Organizers and daycare owners know that more emphasis is being put on early childhood education and a system of support is necessary.

“The takeaway for the providers is they will realize they have a resource, we realize they have so many hats to wear, so many things to do, and hopefully this will take some of the stress off of them,” Carson said.

“Childcare as a whole as evolved tremendously from what it started out as.  There’s a lot more pressure, a lot more educational programs going on. We try and teach the children to be independent and get them ready for Kindergarten,” Davis said.

This is the second year the Center for Education Innovation has held training sessions for its website. Any licensed daycare or Head Start facility can take advantage of the online resource.

The Mississippi State Department of Health oversees all childcare centers in the state.

www.mscei.com