Our Nation's Leading Voice for Child Care August 22, 2012 Report: Parents and the High Cost of Child Care In 2011, the average annual cost of full-time child care for an infant in a center ranged from about $4,600 in Mississippi to nearly $15,000 in Massachusetts, according to Parents and the High Cost of Child Care: 2012 Report. The report from Child Care Aware® of America found the average annual cost of full-time care for a 4-year-old child in a center ranged from about $3,900 in Mississippi to nearly $11,700 in Massachusetts. The average annual cost of full-time care for an infant in a family child care home ranged from $4,500 in South Carolina to nearly $10,400 in New York. The average annual cost for a 4-year-old in a family child care home ranged from $4,100 in South Carolina to about $9,600 in New York.  For more information, read the press release at (http://www.naccrra.org/news-room/press-releases/2012/8/despite-weak-economy-child-care-costs-continue-to-rise), read the report and supporting documents at (http://www.naccrra.org/about-child-care/cost-of-child-care) and visit our Action Center (http://www.capwiz.com/naccrra/home/) to learn more about what you can do to help address this issue.   The report is featured on CNN Money (http://money.cnn.com/2012/08/16/pf/child-care-cost/index.html) and Working Mother Media (http://www.workingmother.com/workplace/affording-high-cost-child-care ). Be Prepared for Emergencies and Disasters To ensure that child care centers and family child care providers have the resources they need to keep children safe and businesses open during emergencies and disasters, Child Care Aware® of America has produced a comprehensive training curriculum. Emergency Preparedness for Child Care: A How-to Guide, includes Is Your Child Care Program Ready?, PowerPoint slides, and recommended national standards for emergency preparedness in child care. Learn more here (http://www.naccrra.org/publications/naccrra-publications/2011/12/emergency-preparedness-for-child-care-a-how-to-guide)  Additionally, a recorded webinar, Is Your Child Care Ready?, led by Beverly Schmalzried, Ph.D., is available from the Child Care Aware Training Academy[tm]. Learn more here (http://naccrra.smarthorizons.org/ccrr/training/webinars/webinar20.html) Free Lunch & Learn Webinars from the Policy Team Make Sure Your Advocacy Event is a SuccessWe're here to help support you in hosting voter education events, preferably at the state capitol. The goals of Step Up for Kids (the weekend of September 20) are to educate the public, parents and attendees on children's issues, register voters, and encourage voter turnout. Be ready to run a fun, informative and motivating event in your state. Friday, August 24, 2012 at 12:30 p.m. Eastern. Resister at (https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/240651634)   Voter Registration: Make it a Priority! Find out tips to make sure your organization is promoting voter registration this election season. Learn how to post online voter registration widgets, and lots of other techniques that help increase voter registration awareness... while staying in line with non-profit 501(c)(3) guidelines. Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at 12:30 p.m. Eastern. Register for this event at (https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/306736218)  Training/Professional Development Opportunities CCR&R Staff Professional Development Improving the Quality of Child Care Programs through Coaching This 15-hour blended training program, led by Francis Institute facilitators, will give participants the skills to sustain quality improvements in early childhood care and education. Webinars and self-paced (http://naccrra.smarthorizons.org/child-care-providers.html) modules take participants through a step-by-step process to build on existing skills. It is recommended for technical assistance professionals, administrators and other leaders working in early childhood and school-age programs. The 14-week course begins Oct. 18, 2012 and runs through Feb. 13, 2013.Learn more here (http://naccrra.smarthorizons.org/ccrr/training/webinars/webinar17.html) Set Your Own Pace for Returning to School Yes, there will be a quiz. But the only deadlines you'll face are the ones you set when you return to school through the Child Care Aware Training Academy[tm]. With a variety of affordable courses available online 24/7, class time can be any time. Topics such as Experiencing Music in the Classroom, Outdoor Play Safety, and Managing Your Child Care Business will expand your understanding of child development and equip you for success in the child care field.Learn more here (http://naccrra.smarthorizons.org/child-care-providers.html). Children Benefit from Limiting Screen Time Limiting screen time is key for children's healthy development. Spending time in front of a screen can get in the way of exploring, playing, and interacting with grown-ups and peers -- all of which encourage learning and healthy physical and social development. As children get older, too much screen time can interfere with being physically active, reading, doing homework, playing with friends, and spending time with family. Learn more about recommended screen time limits, one of the five goals of Let's Move! Child Care, here. (http://www.healthykidshealthyfuture.org/activities/screentimes.html) Let's Move! Child Care Webinar will Detail Farm to Preschool Activity, Nutrition Initiative Let's Move! Child Care offers a free webinar, Farm to Preschool: Digging In to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity, on Wednesday, September 12.  Participants in the one-hour program will learn about the Farm to Preschool initiative and how to turn techniques into practice. Farm to Preschool serves the full spectrum of child care: preschools, Head Start, center-based, programs in K-12 school districts, nurseries and family child care settings. Farm to Preschool: Digging In to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical ActivityWednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, from 2-3 p.m., ET (https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/966295082)  Pledge to "Look Before You Lock" Heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash vehicle deaths for children under the age of 14, according to research by the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Administration for Children and Families has posted a voluntary pledge (http://transition.acf.hhs.gov/programs/occ/news/look-before-you-lock-pledge) for parents and providers toLook Before You Lock (http://fastlane.dot.gov/2012/04/wheres-baby-look-before-you-lock-psa-warns-about-the-dangers-of-hyperthermia-in-cars.html#.UDOQIaB0u-U), checking the vehicle to make sure all passengers, particularly young children,  are out before locking the doors. Recall: Mini Micro Scooters About 5,600 three-wheeled Mini Micro scooters (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12252.html) imported by Kickboard USA have been recalled. Designed for children ages 3 to 5, the one-piece plastic platform that covers the front wheel base can break, posing a laceration hazard. Consumers should take this product away from children and contact Kickboard USA for a free replacement product. Call toll-free (888) 236-5657 or visit the firm's website. (http://www.kickboardusa.com/blog/safety-and-service-information/mini-recall/)  Race to the Top District Applications Available The 2012 Race to the Top-District applications (http://www2.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop-district/index.html) are now available for interested Local Educational Agencies (LEAs or school districts). The districts that receive this award will develop a platform that focuses on teacher and student relationships and personalized learning that is effective for all students in the classroom. Deadline to file intent to apply is August 30. View the announcement from the U.S. Department of Education here (http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/education-department-invites-districts-apply-400-million-race-top-competition-su). Join Child Care Aware® of America Your Child Care Aware® of America membership (http://www.naccrra.org/members) gives you access to cutting-edge child care research and reports, advocacy and technical assistance. You will also receive discounts on professional development webinars, publications, National Child Care Policy Symposium registration and more. Executive Director Search Underway  Child Care Aware® of America has retained ProSearch and Saenger Associates, IRC - Global Executive Search Partner members - to conduct a search for an Executive Director for the nonprofit agency. For more information about the position, click here (http://www.naccrra.org/career-center/executive-director). White Paper: Report All Child Deaths in Child Care A Child Care Aware® of America research paper, Why Aren't We Outraged? (http://www.naccrra.org/sites/default/files/default_site_pages/2012/why_arent_we_outraged_july_22.pdf) Children Dying in Child Care Across America, calls for all child deaths in child care settings to be reported to state licensing offices and state child care administrators offices within 48 hours of their occurrence and that the data be aggregated and sent to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on an annual basis. Policy Blog Launched Child Care Aware® of America's policy team has a new blog (http://capwiz.com/naccrra/utr/1/OMMJSAENXA/ADMRSAEOSL/8595077951). Parent videos are paired with policy recommendations and posts are categorized by topic. Have an idea for a blog post? Email grace.reef.@naccrra.org. State-by-State Child Care Data Child Care Aware® of America's 'In the States' (http://www.naccrra.org/node/2495) map is the one-stop resource for state-by-state child care information. The map features each state's 2012 Fact Sheet, including state demographics, the price of child care, child care supply and demand, and other data related to child care. Stay Informed aboutIssues on Capitol Hill   Sign-up here (http://capwiz.com/naccrra/mlm/signup/) to receive Capitol Connection, a weekly e-newsletter with the latest information about early childhood legislation and budget discussions on Capitol Hill. Learn more about Child Care Aware® of America's latest advocacy campaigns. (http://www.naccrra.org/public-policy/advocacy-campaigns) Make Time for Activity  As summer winds down and fall routines kick in, remember to make time for physical activity. September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month (http://www.fitness.gov/about-us/key-initiatives/national-monthly-observances/childhood-obesity-awareness-month/), the perfect time to try something new. KidsHealth, Nemours and Sesame Workshop offer these tips (http://kidshealth.org/classroom/index.jsp?Grade=cc&Section=hhfl) for increasing activity every day.  Save the Date The 2013 National Child Care Policy Symposium will be held April 10-13 in Washington, D.C. news@naccrra.org (mailto:news@naccrra.org) 703-341-4100 1515 N. Courthouse Road, 11th Floor, Arlington, VA 22201 © NACCRRA, All Rights Reserved www.naccrra.org (http://www.naccrra.org) Click here (http://www.magnetmail.net/Actions/unsubscribe.cfm?message_id=2221223&user_id=NACCRRA&recipient_id=699460182&email=pnp24hr@aol.com&group_id=841119) to unsubscribe. ************************************************************** 1515 N. Courthouse Road, 11th Floor, Arlington, VA 22201 **************************************************************Use this link to unsubscribe: http://www.magnetmail.net/Actions/unsubscribe.cfm?message_id=2221223&user_id=NACCRRA&recipient_id=699460182&email=pnp24hr@aol.com&group_id=841119