Check out who's in the Educator Spotlight!

Educator Spotlight

Jan Sponer
Ms. Jan’s Preschool
Owner

How many years have you worked in early childhood?
I have been in childcare for 40+ years! I have had many kids of the kids I had 20-30 years ago!

What brought you to work with children?

My mother babysat in our home as I was growing up before getting licensed was the thing to do. I have always loved babies and playing with baby dolls until I was nearly a teenager!

What are some of your hobbies?
My hobbies are dancing with my husband every weekend that we can and going on road trips that end up at TCBY!

What is your most treasured accomplishment?
I guess my biggest accomplishment is staying with my career for 40+ years! I can’t imagine doing anything else. I love in-home childcare so that I can be HOME.

What is your favorite thing about your job?
My favorite thing about working with children is the funny things they say daily! They keep me laughing (if only I’d written a book with all their hilarious antics!)

What has been the most significant or memorable moment in your job?
I think my most memorable moment was an end-of-the-school-year sleepover we had. I rented a blow-up slide with a pool at the bottom… everyone enjoyed that so much, and they still talk about it!

Do you have any dreams or aspirations you want to share?
I am retiring next May, and I hope to travel some and just enjoy quiet time with my husband Mark of 45 years!

Wellness Corner

Summertime can be a great time to institute some healthy screen habits for children. Healthy Kids, Healthy Future reminds us that moderation of screen time (which includes TV, videos, DVDs, computers, tablets, video games, and handheld devices) is key for healthy development and staying active. Families can create healthy habits by using this resource to create a family media plan. Share this link below for an example of ways to create healthy screen time habits.

Family Media Plan

Curricula Concepts Inc. is offering trainings online via Zoom for families and educators.

Go to our TRAINING CALENDAR to sign up!

Pre-registration is required. If the participant must cancel for any reason, please let us know as soon as possible. Spots are limited and there may be a waiting list.

Training is provided at no cost to the participants and PDR credit is available.
Information to consider:

Credit for the training cannot be guaranteed for late arrivals or for participants who leave early.
This is an online training and the expectation is that participants will have the capability to interact and participate using video as well as audio.

Have questions or problems with registering for trainings?
Please contact Deborah at deborah@curriculaconcepts.com!

DCCECE Job Openings!

The Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education has the following two positions open. Click the link on the job title for more information.

DHS PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR

Position Number: 22097784
County: Pulaski
Posting End Date: 07/29/2021
Anticipated Starting Salary: $50,221.81

Summary:

Supervises a subordinate staff by developing short and long term goals and objectives, determining the allocation of internal and external resources, advising staff seeking guidance, and overseeing the functions of program activities to ensure fulfillment of the organization's mission and objectives. Interviews, recommends for hire, trains, coordinates, assigns, reviews work, and evaluates the performance of incumbents. Monitors and evaluates service programs and recommends corrective action when needed. Writes and implements grants, assesses grant criteria to ensure compliance, and researches alternative grant sources. Provides technical assistance regarding program, personnel, and policy matters and provides oral/written information and testimony. Develops and prepares operational and personnel budgets by analyzing, compiling, and preparing reports, proposals, and correspondence. Serves on various committees and task forces to stay abreast on service program information. Performs other duties as assigned.

DHS/DCC ASST DIR OPS & PROG SUPV

Position Number: 22130373
County: Pulaski
Posting End Date: 07/30/2021
Anticipated Starting Salary: $77,861.89

Summary:

Supervises a small professional staff by interviewing and recommending for hire, assigning and reviewing work, training employees, resolving work problems, and evaluating the performance of incumbents. Plans and coordinates the work activities for licensure programs to establish operational priorities, to schedule facility evaluations, and to ensure compliance with state and federal laws. Monitors and evaluates community-based programs for licensure by investigating documentation and vehicles and physical plants, determining compliance with departmental licensing standards, determining deficiencies, and developing plan of correction and making recommendations regarding licensure. Develops and recommends staff, material, and equipment needs for licensure operations managed to contribute to the formulation and justification of budgetary requests for the division as a whole. Develops and recommends policies, procedures, and standards for new and existing licensing programs to respond to changes in operational needs, objectives, and priorities and to improve the effectiveness of the program managed. Consults with and advises staff and licensing facilities to exchange information and/or provide assistance with policies, procedures, and guidelines. Investigates reported service complaints and makes investigative recommendations. Performs other duties as assigned.