Seeds for Thought: Virtual Ratings, Grant Opportunities, and Advice
This post is a summary of the G.R.O.W. Community Calls held in February, March, and April 2021.
In 2021, Arapahoe County Early Childhood Council launched a monthly community call to share Guidance, Resources, Opportunities, and Wisdom (G.R.O.W.) in an easily digestible format with early childhood professionals in Arapahoe County.
The past few months we learned about new grant opportunities with the Emerging & Expanding Child Care Grant, the virtual rating option in Colorado Shines, and the latest guidance on COVID-19 and child care. Here are just a few tips worth remembering.
Preparing for a Virtual Rating
For February 2021, we partnered with Early Childhood Partnership of Adams County (ECPAC) and Clayton Early Learning to learn more about preparing for a virtual rating with Colorado Shines. We covered documentation indicators, the Environment Rating Scales, and other aspects of the virtual rating process that are different from a typical rating.
A typical rating includes a field observation that was not possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. But quality raters and programs still wanted to provide the opportunity to focus on quality. In late summer 2020, a new virtual rating process was approved. The virtual rating goals were to keep as much the same as possible and minimize the burden on child care providers. The biggest change with a virtual rating was the creation of a ‘virtual observation’ - essentially a walk-through video and an enhanced teacher/assessor interview.
The Emerging & Expanding Grant
The Emerging and Expanding Child Care Grant Program began in February 2021 and was created for the purpose of expanding access and availability of licensed child care throughout Colorado and especially in areas where there are child care deserts. A child care desert is any place where the demand for licensed child care far outpaces the local capacity. The reality is that much of the larger metro Denver area qualifies as a child care desert. You can use this interactive map to learn more and see if you live in a child care desert.
According to the 2019 Kids Count report, Arapahoe County has 1.7 children under 6 who likely need care for every licensed child care slot available. Licensed care for infants is especially difficult to find.
That’s why the E&E grant was created. These funds can be used to open a new childcare program or expand the capacity of a current program. Costs may include but are not limited to staff training, background check fees, cleaning supplies, educational supplies, and capital and facility improvement costs. Grant awards range from at least $3,000 to no more than $50,000. Eligible entities located in a child care desert will be prioritized.
Specifics about the grant program can be found on the Colorado Office of Early Childhood’s website.
Existing programs can apply immediately through the OEC Provider Hub here.
If you would like to open a new program, you will need to be actively pursuing a child care license through the Division of Early Care & Learning. As an Early Childhood Council, we’re providing support at the local level to everyone who is interested in becoming licensed. Contact us if you want help to get started!
COVID-19 and Childcare Update
In April 2021, we heard from Tri-County Health Department about current guidance specifically for child care programs around COVID-19. Because information can change so quickly with COVID-19, we’re going to focus here on more long term resources. Please always double-check that you are staying up-to-date on orders from your local public health department.
Face Masks - We wear face masks to help prevent the spread of the virus, but they are much harder for young children to wear and can pose special challenges for child care programs. In this call, we shared a new resource from Healthy Child Care Colorado to support children, staff, and families with mask-wearing. Download their Masking in Child Care Guidebook (English / Spanish) here. This book also includes a sample masking policy that child care programs could use.
Emerging Devices for Cleaning - Tri-County Health Department shared about new devices like UV lights or misters that are used to clean areas. TCHD does not recommend using these in child care programs because they are largely new, untested, and can lead to dangerous air quality conditions.
Ongoing Support - Tri-County Health Department’s Our Child Care Task Force is working with child care programs in Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas counties to provide COVID-19 support and resources. Email them at EHChildcare@tchd.org for questions regarding child care programs or visit their website for more information.
ACECC oversees Quality Improvement in Arapahoe County, providing coaching, support, and funding to early childhood programs who are going through the rating process. We offer G.R.O.W. Community Calls as part of our effort to support the early childhood workforce and improve the quality of child care in our community.
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