Safety Saturday Offered For New Childcare Staff
Looking for a career where you can truly make a difference today and for the future? Early childhood education is one of the most important and impactful careers. Professionals who work in childcare facilities have the opportunity to make a difference in young lives and also influence future generations.
To help you get started in your childcare career, Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) and United Way of Green Way have partnered to offer a free, daylong training event. Safety Saturday is an online workshop that will help fulfill the health and safety requirements needed to work in a childcare program. Attendees completing the Safety Saturday class will earn credits toward their childcare credentials, and will be guaranteed an interview for an available position with a Green County childcare provider. Training will also be provided in Spanish.
Training will include: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training (CPR), Sudden Infant Death Prevention Syndrome (SIDS), Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect, Preventing Abusive Head Trauma, and a review of licensing rules and regulations and next steps for working in the childcare industry. Taken separately, these classes would cost more than $100.
Safety Saturday will be provided online from 8 am to 5 pm on May 1. Training is provided free of charge for those who intend to work in a Green County childcare facility. Pre-registration is required and spots are limited to the first 20 who sign up; a waiting list will be offered for the possibility of future classes.
The link to register online can be found on GCDC’s website at www.greenedc.com. Call GCDC at 608-328-9452 or email gcdc [at] tds.net for more information.
Other Ways to Support Local Childcare Facilities
Research has shown that the most rapid period of brain development is from birth to age 5. Early childhood educators have the very important job of working with children during this rapid developmental phase.
The lack of childcare in Green County has been an issue for some time, and COVID-19 has brought it to the forefront. If we want to ensure our current and future workforce, now is the time to take steps to grow quality childcare in Green County.
GCDC has teamed up with United Way of Green County on these current grant-funded initiatives:
- Childcare Business Boot Camp
- Safety Saturday
- Mental health consultation for 12 Green County childcare businesses
- Monthly professional development opportunities specifically for childcare providers and their families
- Professional mentoring to match experienced providers with newer childcare entrepreneurs
What is still needed:
Scholarships for graduates of Childcare Boot Camp Class
Signing bonuses for graduates of Safety Saturday who are hired by a Green County childcare facility
Bonuses for facilities that increase their Youngstar rating
Bonuses for staff retention
Scholarships for Credentials and further education
Childcare is essential for our children, our families, our workforce, and our communities. If you would like more information, or if you would like to help support the childcare initiative for our communities, contact Teresa Keehn at United Way of Green County at (608) 325-7747 or unitedway [at] pecbell.com, or Cara Carper at GCDC at (608) 328-9452 or cara.gcdc [at] tds.net.