Early Learning System - Bright Beginnings

News

Our goal is to ensure that young children have quality, nurturing, and safe child care and education. Here you can find news and resources to support the system of early learning - whether you are a caregiver, teacher, administrator, parent or advocate.

If you have questions or information to share through the weekly Digest, please send to: info@BrightBeginningsMC.org

Latest Weekly Digests

March 16, 2023 | Early Care and Education Weekly Digest
March 9, 2023 | Early Care and Education Weekly Digest
March 3, 2023 | Early Care and Education Weekly Digest

For past editions and more early childhood development news, click here.

Resources & Tools

It Takes a Coalition

It takes a coalition to provide coordinated support and solutions for child care and education. Here are some of those that have come together during and after the pandemic to build an even stronger early learning system:

Download the California Meals for Kids mobile app today. The app makes it easy for families and caregivers to find afterschool meal locations. Download the app here. Access WIC nutrition support here.
Esperanza Care of Monterey County is available to low-income residents who do not qualify for Medi-Cal and have no other insurance. Applications can be obtained from the Monterey County Health Department, Natividad Medical Center, or Pacific Health Alliance at (800) 533-4742.
Workers who have questions about their rights including unemployment, keeping workplaces safe, temporary housing, and other questions during the pandemic can call the California COVID-19 hotline at (833) 422-4255 or go to the California for All COVID-19 page here.
FEMA will offset COVID-19 related funeral or burial expenses for eligible persons in the US. Our thoughts go out to those who have lost a loved one during the pandemic. Click here for more information and apply by calling (844) 684-6333.

Learn how suspensions and expulsions in preschool cause long lasting trauma for children. Listen to this panel of experts as they discuss the impact.
Engage pre-k learners by following their interests! Educators can make a difference- watch this compelling video from Edutopia.
New Multilingual Learning Toolkit Updates! October marks the one-year anniversary of the launch of the Multilingual Learning Toolkit website. To celebrate this milestone, Early Edge California and partners have developed exciting new enhancements to the Toolkit. Take a look!

Tips on how to talk about diversity and racism with young children. Check out what First 5 Monterey County has shared:

The Learning Resources for Children and Families page has activities for children to do at home along with anti-racism resources that include how to talk to children about racial bias, how to talk about race, and books that explain race and diversity
Resources for Teachers and Families
Coming Together and the ABC’s of Racial Justice from Sesame Street in Communities includes information on how adults can talk about race, prejudice, and skin color. More tips and activities from SSIC are available here.

Early Start provides free services to infants and toddlers (0-3 years) with disabilities and their families. The San Andreas Regional Center serves Monterey County and can provide speech, occupational and physical therapy, nutrition, nursing, and other services. Flyers and information to share with providers and parents are available to help understand the importance of early intervention and prevention. Click here for more information.
Play Based Learning (or Guided Play) works better than direct instruction for young learners, especially for math and spatial skills. Read more in this Edutopia article!
Want to track your child’s developmental milestones? Check out the milestone tracker app from Learn the Signs, Act Early to track your child’s development and act early if you have a concern.
The Center for Disease Control has released an immunization tracker for children 0-6 years old. Click here to view and download the tracker.
Looking for simple ways to help children with math? Check out these fun videos for all ages.
5 ways to boost social skills for young children. Watch this youtube video for some quick ideas you can do at home.
Free toolkit to prepare for natural disasters for those working with children and youth. Take a look at this great resource, which takes a trauma-informed approach to working with and being ready to help.
Inclusion Works is great for children with and without disabilities!. Get your copy here.

FOR EDUCATORS

FOR FAMILIES

Save the date for the King City Spring Carnival Resource Fair. Bring your family and enjoy arts, crafts, giveaways and resources. Special Kids Connect will be hosting the event on Saturday, March 25 from 11:00am-1:00pm at King City High School.
March is National Disability Awareness Month. San Andreas Regional Center provides services to children and adults with disabilities including assessments, interventions and support. Connect with other moms and their children (0-5) at the Maternal Well-Being play groups. In person and ZOOM groups are being offered. Learn more or call Sandra Avina at (831) 796-6118.
Families are invited to join the free Stay and Play followed by story time at various Monterey County Free Libraries. There are three times and locations; share this flyer:
- Thursdays from 10:30am-12:00pm at the Salinas, Buena Vista Library
- Tuesdays from 11:00am-1:00pm at the Seaside Library
- Fridays from 3:00pm-4:00pm Castroville Branch Library
Want to track your child’s developmental milestones? Check out the milestone tracker app from Learn the Signs, Act Early to track your child’s development and seek resources if you have a concern.
Fun activities for you and your family are happening at the Salinas Library. In person and online events including Toddler Tales, Lego Master Builders, Kids Eat Right, and Family Crafternoons. Check out their calendar of events for times and dates.
Looking for child care? Go to Montereycountychildcare.org or Mychildcareplan.org for help finding the right care for your child.

FOR ALL

Save the date for the King City Spring Carnival Resource Fair. Bring your family and enjoy arts, crafts, giveaways and resources. Special Kids Connect will be hosting the event on Saturday, March 25 from 11:00am-1:00pm at King City High School.
March is National Disability Awareness Month. San Andreas Regional Center provides services to children and adults with disabilities including assessments, interventions and support. Connect with other moms and their children (0-5) at the Maternal Well-Being play groups. In person and ZOOM groups are being offered. Learn more or call Sandra Avina at (831) 796-6118.
Families are invited to join the free Stay and Play followed by story time at various Monterey County Free Libraries. There are three times and locations; share this flyer:
- Thursdays from 10:30am-12:00pm at the Salinas, Buena Vista Library
- Tuesdays from 11:00am-1:00pm at the Seaside Library
- Fridays from 3:00pm-4:00pm Castroville Branch Library
Want to track your child’s developmental milestones? Check out the milestone tracker app from Learn the Signs, Act Early to track your child’s development and seek resources if you have a concern.
Fun activities for you and your family are happening at the Salinas Library. In person and online events including Toddler Tales, Lego Master Builders, Kids Eat Right, and Family Crafternoons. Check out their calendar of events for times and dates.
Looking for child care? Go to Montereycountychildcare.org or Mychildcareplan.org for help finding the right care for your child.

Newly released toolkit regarding COVID-19 boosters is available here. Some tough questions are answered, such as:

Should I get an updated COVID-19 booster if I’ve previously gotten a booster?
What if I recently had COVID-19?
Can I get the updated COVID-19 booster if I haven’t been vaccinated yet?
What’s the status for booster doses for children under 12?
Can I mix and match my COVID-19 vaccine and booster?

The CDC has developed a suite of materials to support communication about COVID-19 vaccines Click here to get the posters, flyers and resources for your program. Looking for some eye catching and diverse COVID-19 vaccine flyers? Check out the vaccine resource hub here and a video toolkit.
Families in your program may have questions about the COVID-19 vaccines for children 6 months and over. Here are some trusted sources of information to share:

Frequently Asked Questions about Vaccines for Young Children from the California Childcare Health Program (CCHP)
6 Things to Know about COVID-19 Vaccination for Children from the CDC
What should parents know about the COVID-19 vaccine for kids under 5? From the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in English and Spanish
FAQs from Parents/Guardians about COVID-19 Vaccines from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in English and Spanish
DHHS' Make Vaccine Shots Less Stressful and Painful for Your Child in English and Spanish

Did you misplace your COVID-19 vaccine card? Sign up for a new digital vaccine card from the California Department of Public Health! Get a vaccine card here.

COVID vaccine books & videos for young children:

Download “A Shot for Potter & Spots” for free from First 5 Santa Clara County.
Check out El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center’s toolkit that includes comic book-style materials about COVID-19 vaccines for children.
Monterey County’s superhero video in English and in Spanish.

Do you think your program has a COVID-19 outbreak? When children are present and a child has tested positive in a child care setting, providers can complete this form and submit it to Monterey County Public Health. If a child has tested positive outside of that child care setting and does not attend the child care center, then providers may report the positive case here.
Want to know more about quarantine and isolation recommendations? Here’s the latest information from the CDPH. The guidance for child care programs is located here.
There is an interactive decision tree if you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19 at your school site. Check out this easy-to-follow link.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) strongly recommends, but does not mandate, the use of face masks indoors. The latest guidance from CDPH on face masks is located here.
A publication from the CDPH - Masks for Kids - is available to show how particles spread with and without wearing a mask. Check out their flyer here.
California will be ending the COVID-19 state of emergency on February 28, 2023. California has fared much better than other large states in response and recovery regarding the pandemic, saving tens of thousands of lives and providing needed support to individuals, businesses and healthcare. An updated SMARTER Plan is available to review here.

Safe sleeping practices are critical for babies! Visit this Community Care Licensing page on Safe Sleep to see the latest regulations, sleeping plans, and videos.
Do you need a FAQ sheet to share with parents and staff? UCSF has an amazing resource for providers and parents with a variety of topics ranging from Autism to Vaccine Safety. All Fact Sheets are available in English, Spanish, and Chinese!
Why are physical exams important for children? Physicals can help find and prevent medical, dental and mental/behavioral health issues before they become urgent. Get free health checks and immunizations at the Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) Program. Check out and post these fliers to learn more.
You may be hearing that Monkey Pox is in Monterey County, however it is very rare in children. Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools, has provided some information here that may reassure you.
Visit the 831 Breastfeeds website for information on how to support breastfeeding mothers and children in your community.
The Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) Program provides crucial services for families, children, and educators in Monterey County including current health informational presentations, training, free health checks, and immunizations. Check out these flyers to learn more.
Many of the chemicals we use for cleaning are actually meant to sanitize and disinfect. Most of the time, soap and water will do the job. This poster from CCHP helps you think about what tools are best for the job you’re doing. Check out this website from the UCSF California Child Care Health Program on safer cleaning and sanitizing products.

A special thanks to the team that supported the COVID-19 Response & Recovery efforts: Bright Beginnings Backbone, Child Care Planning Council, First 5 Monterey County, MAOF Resource & Referral, Quality Matters Monterey County, and the United Way of Monterey County.

For more information, please contact sonja@brightbeginningsmc.org.