The Child Care Expansion Grant
Keene State College (KSC), in cooperation with the Monadnock United Way (MUW) and other community non-profit partners, seeks to expand the training and employment pipelines for early childhood education and care, in order to provide more accessible high-quality birth-to-five years old childcare for families in the Monadnock Region (Cheshire County and western Hillsborough County in New Hampshire.) Both nationally and regionally, there is a critical shortage of high-quality childcare for children from birth to five years old. Click this link to watch a panel discussion about two interwoven crises in the Monadnock Region, child care and housing instability.
In October of 2022, KSC and the MUW were awarded a $1 Million grant from Congressional funding to address this issue in the Monadnock Region. KSC and MUW led the community wide CCE Taskforce in developing programs to broaden access to and support for early childhood educator credentialing and training, both professionalizing current childcare teachers and providers and welcoming new educators to the field.
Project Phase 1:
The CCE Taskforce researched, developed, and launched several educational pathways for early childhood professionals. Including access to the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, a Fast Track Early Childhood Education Certificate program, specialized training in Pyramid Model, and other educational opportunities. These programs were developed to support the diverse needs of each student and meet each student where they are in their educational and career journey. Scholarships were provided to students enrolling in one or more of the educational pathways to offset, or cover, the cost of tuition, books, materials, fees, and licensure when applicable.
Taskforce members include:
- Cheshire Children's Museum
- The Children's Learning Center @ CMC/DHK
- Impact Monadnock
- Keene Day Care Center
- Keene Family YMCA
- Keene State College
- Monadnock Community Early Learning Center
- Monadnock United Way
- Rise for baby and family
- Winchester Learning Center
Project Phase 2:
Based on the learnings and success of Phase 1, the CCE project continues with the Complete Path to Career (CPC) initiative. This initiative will build and provide a supportive and effective pathway from high school to a career in early childhood education.
Careers in Education Program
This program is designed to help high school students explore and prepare for careers in education, particularly in early childhood or other related fields. This involves partnerships between local Career and Technical Education Centers (CTEs) and Keene State College. The goal is likely to attract high school students interested in education careers and provide them with exposure and training to pursue this field.
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Internships or Employment at Local Child Care Centers: The program aims to set up internships or employment opportunities for selected high school students at child care centers in the area. This hands-on experience gives students practical skills and a real-world understanding of what a career in education or childcare entails.
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Pathway to Higher Education or Career: Through the program, students are supported in creating a pathway that could lead to higher education at institutions like River Valley Community College or Keene State College, or to a direct career entry. This pathway approach helps guide students from high school into the next phase of their education or straight into a career, fostering a clear progression from student to professional in the field of education.
Emerging Professional Development
The training will be a 10-month emerging professional course taught by Child Care Aware NH. Participants will receive classroom materials and resources for their participation in the training. The emerging professional training provides new teachers with foundational early childhood concepts and provides the foundational knowledge and experience needed to successfully enroll in and complete a Child Development Associate, classes at River Valley Community College or Keene State College.
Child Development Associate (CDA) Program
Building upon the effectiveness of the coaching model developed in Phase 1, the cohort model provides peer-to-peer learning and creates career-long learning networks. This model will effectively and efficiently deliver CDA certificates within one year, opening up child care spaces and entire classrooms.
Professional Development for Early Childhood Professionals
Retaining professionals in the field is a priority. Professional Development seminars will be implemented to recognize the lifelong learning required in the early childhood profession. In addition, we seek to acknowledge the commitment of teachers who dedicate their work to young children and their families. Professional development seminars will include full day professional development days, funding for resources, and evening trainings.
For more information on any of these pathways, please email info@muw.org.
*This program is funded through the US Department of Education Congressionally-Funded Community Projects Program in partnership with Keene State College and Monadnock United Way.