Meeting schedule for 2024-25
Meetings will be held at Bloomington Public Library
205 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
Community Room 1 (upstairs)
Meeting Time is 6:30-8:30 *unless otherwise noted
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September 10
Welcome Back!
Membership Drive Membership forms will be available at the front table. Don’t forget to bring cash or your checkbook to pay dues!
Discussion: Problems/ Solutions experienced providers will be happy to answer any daycare related questions. Bring along your contract or policy handbook to get feedback.
Teresa with Daycare Resources will be on hand for the first hour to share changes in the food program and answer any questions.
Becky with CCRRN will be coming in to talk with providers.
October 8
Topic: Occupational Therapist
Sara Burge
Sara Burge back this year! She spoke to us last year about signs young children may benefit from a referral for occupational therapy. This year she will expand on that and give us ideas of ways we can work with children while they are with us all day.
November 12
Early Childhood Mental Health 101 Training with Gena Schuler
This training meets DCFS Licensing requirements.
BIO:
Gena Schuler, Is an ECMHC in SDA 9. She has a Bachelor's in early childhood education from ISU and a Master’s in Social work from Our Lady of the Lakes University.She is a licensed social worker currently waiting to sit for her clinical exam. She has worked in the education/social work field for over 30 years; twenty-seven of those years were here in Illinois. She has worked in Fort Worth ISD as a case manager/ Behavior interventionist for the past four years in a Title 1 elementary school. After five years in Texas, She moved back to Illinois to be with her family. She has three grown children; her first grandchild was born on July 1st. Even though she is an introvert, she loves building relationships and learning from people’s stories. Outside work, she enjoys spending time with family, crafting, and reading.
Training information:
Have you ever wondered what early childhood mental health is? Why has this been a growing concern, and what does it have to do with me? Early Childhood Mental Health 101 helps explain what it might look like and how you can help the little ones in your care. Several mental health issues will be discussed, including ADHD, Autism, PTSD, and trauma. These mental health challenges affect the behaviors of some children and can affect everyone in the childcare setting. Let’s examine and answer some of these questions surrounding early childhood mental health.
December 10
Member Appreciation Night
January 14
HeartSaver AED Course (CPR, AED & Heimlich Training for the Adult, Child & Infant)
First Aid
Shannon E Rader
This training meets DCFS licensing requirements.
Cost is $60 per person for the training and an additional $17 for the ecards. Participants MUST RSVP for this training so enough supplies are available.
February 11
Do-It yourself Early Learning
Jeff Johnson
Based on our books, Do It Yourself Early Learning and Everyday Early Learning, the session takes a hands-on look at dozens of ideas for using materials from your local home center, grocery store, big box store, dollar store, or recycling bin to promote child-directed play, exploration, discovery, and learning.
Attendees will:
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Acquire simple ideas for supporting child-led play
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Understand why children are drawn to play with everyday items
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Better understand the concept of loose parts
March 11
Dr. Diane’s Adventures in Learning Science and Literature
Joint with CCRRN
Meet Dr. DianeWith more than 20 years of formal and informal teaching experience, Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor has the skill and knowledge to help you connect literacy, multicultural picture books, and STEM for engaged learning across the curriculum.
Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor earned her M.T. and PhD in Elementary Education from the University of Virginia. She founded a preschool built on the idea that all children were natural scientists and explorers (and that picture books could connect all of the thematic units). While working in the museum education field, she developed and provided in-person and virtual hands-on STEAM programs that inspired curiosity and wonder in children of all ages.
She currently works with teachers across the country, focusing on connecting multicultural literature with engaging and meaningful STEAM challenges. She collaborates with Chris Kesler Science on early elementary curriculum design and worked closely with Steve Spangler Inc. on the production and release of a Beyond Ever After on demand video course. She is an adjunct professor for the University of Virginia and Shenandoah University, and hosts an Adventures in Learning podcast that explores connections between picture books and STEAM.
Workshop will focus on literacy and connecting it to science concepts.
April 8
*Illinois Art Station
This month we will meet at the ILLINOIS ART STATION at 101 E Vernon Ave. Normal , IL
Various art materials and ideas for preschool age children.
May 13
Evaluating Food Labels and serving quality food
Adrienne from Daycare Resource
Adrienne will present to us “Keep it Credible” and “Food Label Facts” How to read and interpret what is on a food table. And how to prepare meals that meet the USDA food program guidelines.