|
What is the New Jersey First Steps Infant/Toddler Initiative?
Approximately 400,000 children in the State of New Jersey are under the age of three. Their
development relies on parents as their first teachers and early educators, specifically primary caregivers, who they
are often entrusted to at an early age. Research shows that 90% of a child’s brain is developed by the age of 2
years. Studies also show that the quality of early care makes a difference for children by laying a foundation for
social/emotional, cognitive, language and early literacy development, which enhances school readiness and future
academic success. The First Steps New Jersey Infant/Toddler Initiative was created to assist early educators in
offering the very best possible care for New Jersey’s youngest citizens. Three regional agencies, Programs for
Parents, Inc. (northern), Community Coordinated Child Care of Union County (central), and the Southern Regional
Child Care Resource Center, EIRC (southern) will serve as lead agencies for the 16 child care resource and referral
agencies across the state. In the North- Three agencies have specialists to work with the providers of nfant/Toddler
Care. Programs for Parents, Inc will oversee Essex and Hudson Counties; North Jersey 4Cs will oversee Bergen and
Passaic Counties; and NORWESCAP Child and Family Resource Services will oversee Morris, Sussex and Warren Counties.
|
|
|
What are the goals for the First Steps Infant/Toddler Initiative?
To improve the quality of Infant/Toddler early care across the state
To increase the availability of quality early care programs for families with infants and toddlers.
|
|
|
What services does the First Steps Infant/Toddler Initiative provide?
Professional Development
Professional development opportunities will be offered on-site for participating programs.
Professional development opportunities for the early care provider will be offered in the community with topics
tailored to their needs
Professional development opportunities with specialized trainers to present best practice standards that will
address brain development and reflective practice for infants and toddlers.
Professional development opportunities are planned to assist early care providers in achieving the NJ
Infant/Toddler Credential
Technical Assistance and Consultation
Infant/Toddler Specialists will serve as mentors and provide resources to new and experienced early educators.
Consultation services will be provided to early educators on-site or via telephone. Technical assistance also
includes: site observations, pre and post ITERS/FCCERS assessments, development of a program improvement plan and
access to a lending library. The program improvement plan will delineate specific roles for the director, provider,
infant/toddler specialist and consultants and will be customized based on the identified program needs. The program
improvement plan will assist programs in the following ways:
Implementing best practices in infant and toddler care
Demonstrating improvement in the ITERS/FCCERS assessment scores
Demonstrating sustainable improvement in the overall quality of the program.
Additional technical assistance will be offered to individuals or programs interested in establishing
or expanding services to Infants and Toddlers, upon request.
Resources and Materials
Your local Child Care and Resource and Referral Agency has a resource library where early care providers can access
Infant and Toddler specific materials such as children’s books, training materials (videos and DVDs) for staff
development, curriculum guides and equipment for lending.
Community Partnerships
The Infant /Toddler network consists of community and statewide organizations that are stakeholders committed to
improving the quality of life and early education for young children. These groups may include early intervention,
Coalition of Infant/Toddler Educators (CITE), Professional Impact of New Jersey (PINJ), health care organizations,
higher education, government, business, local school districts, parents and others. Participation with these
organizations fosters increased awareness of the needs of infants and toddlers, blending of available resources,
collaboration and advocacy for young children.
|
|
|
|
English | Español