We will be sending out communication a few times a week from now until we get through this time of crisis. Hopefully everything we’re all doing will help the situations so we can get back to normal soon. Until then, here’s the latest from VCCA

1. We’ve been in communication with Chief Readiness Officer Jenna Conway. She’s working with VECF (Va. Early Childhood Foundation) to hold a coordinated webinar with top level health and safety officials. She has invited us to participate so we’ll report back to you what Jenna, Tara Ragland (D.S.S. Children’s Licensed Programs) and health officials are advising.

 

1. We’ve been in communication with Tara Ragland Director of Children Licensing Programs. We let her know all of the health and safety practices that we are following (which we currently follow anyway preparing us for an event like this) as well as other precautions especially all of the additional precautions our members have been taking like stepping up disinfecting, handwashing and coughing into the elbow, ect.

 
Tara has asked for our help. Several childcare centers are closing. We’d like to know if our members have additional capacity and if so, how many students could you take on to help cover so that parents who need to get to work can. Please read her communication below. We would appreciate your input in the survey that’s included at the bottom of this email.

Tara’s question for VCCA Members:
 

One thing to keep in mind, we are getting information that "some" and we do not know how many (we are working on that aspect now) centers are closing. This is concerning with the number of school closures and parents needing to work. We are working through possible options to lessen requirements but we are open to suggestions! Thank you for the prayers and support! 
Tara
 
Since the teacher shortage is so dire and teachers are off for the next few weeks (or longer) I asked if we could send out a message to our parents who are teachers and want to work if we could use their existing criminal background reports if they are current teachers. This may help us in the short run.

We suggest for those of you who are able to take on more school agers at this point to communicate with families that you will do your best to be open for working families, especially since the child population is the least affected. If they or a family member or friend are temporarily out of work and would like to work for you for the next few weeks or longer to let you know. It may take a few days to get the others printed, but if you have teachers that you could onboard immediately that may help. We’ll let you know on Monday what Tara says about teachers already printed by D.O.E.

1. The virus is air borne which complicates things, but it lives on surfaces for up to 9 days according to ACME representative Adam Mills. So cleaning surfaces is still very important. We’ve been in communication with Adam Mills over at ACME Paper & Supply (our VCCA health & hygiene business partner). They have a Corona Virus tab on their website for further guidance. Amills@acmepaper.com www.acmepaper.com

 
We want you to know that supplies are being restricted to health care facilities first. They still have products for now, but things may be in limited supply soon. Adam says for the child care industry to be aware that chemical companies may not claim to have products to kill COVID-19 specifically. If they do that is a false claim, but there are chemicals that are know to kill this virus family, which may include COVID-19. They just can’t tell you that it’s a 100% effective. He did say that this “envelope virus” is one for the easiest viruses to kill so being diligent is key! Clorox wipes are gold so if you have them he said you can sell them for a mint on EBAY. (Ha Ha!!!)

Adam is going to be creating some short clip videos with practical solutions to help us make our own wipes incase supplies run low. Also, be sure to check out the tab on their website on Corona Virus!

1. By Monday VCCA will have a tab on our site as well with up to date information from local and national resources. Please check it daily. If you have anything you would be willing to share please let us know or email it to virginiachildcareassociation@gmail.com. You all are the drivers and the innovators and together we can support one another through our practices. 

 
Please take the quick member survey below. Responses are requested to be made no later than 2:00pm on Monday, March 16, 2020. Thank you for your time & support!
VCCA Survey
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http://vachild.associationsonline.com/site_survey.cfm?pk_association_survey=1524
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​(WRIC) — In Virginia, it’s more expensive to send your child to daycare than a four-year college with in-state tuition, according to a new study.

The cost factors of childcare are the child to teacher ratios, how qualified the teachers are, the building’s rent, feeding the children and utilities.

​Watch Now

​RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today announced the completion of a statewide Needs Assessment and draft Strategic Plan that were produced through the $9.9 million federal Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) announced in January. 

We found this blog to be very useful. 

​On a typical school day, Virginia educators will teach classes across multiple subjects, provide personal social and emotional support for students inside and outside the classroom, manage after-school programs, and grade assignments or prepare lesson plans. They might have a second job to make ends meet.

Read more 

​Virginia officials are trying to make it easier to teach preschool.
For the first time, students taking early childhood education classes at Virginia’s community colleges can have those credits and degrees automatically transfer to four-year schools. 

​Of all the important public policy issues confronting Virginia, the need for exceptional early childhood education stands alone in its potential to significantly impact both current and future prosperity.

Read more of this article: https://www.richmond.com/opinion/their-opinion/guest-columnists/dyke-and-thomson-column-future-workforce-talent-demands-exceptional-early/article_4441cf23-78f6-555d-97da-6eb5165065fa.html

​Smart Beginnings Mixed Delivery Pre-K Grants Awarded for 2017-2018 School Year