FCCA workshops cover a wide area of topics, including all Core Competencies, as defined by the Dept. of EEC.
- Understanding Growth and Development of Children - Guiding and Interacting with Children and Youth - Partnering with Families and Communities - Observation, Assessment & Planning for Individual Need - Learning Environments & Implementing Curriculum - Program Planning & Development - Health, Safety & Nutrition - Professionalism & Leadership - Diverse Learners It is required for the members of the FCCA to register at least 10 days before each workshop, so that we can prep materials and certificates. Door open 1 hour before the workshop begins; attendance is required for certificate. Workshops are held at First Parish Unitarian, 7 Concord Rd, Billerica. We also offer Zoom workshops for those cold snowy winter months. |
We are excited to announce the 2021-2022 workshops. Some will be hosted in person and some virtually! All workshops are 6:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. unless otherwise noted in the list.
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For information & sign up for members only functions visit: Special Events.
Below is the 2021-2022 workshop schedule
(Right now, workshops are on Zoom. Unfortunately with Covid numbers increasing, the First Parish Hall is not renting yet. We will keep everyone updated as things change. Thank you for understanding !)
September 9 - Celebrating Family Child Care; Building and Maintaining Inspiration in the Early Childhood Community
Areas: 7,8
Presenter: Donna Gorman, The Inspirational Educator
Donna Gorman holds a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education with a focus in Special Needs from Wheelock College. She is a certified Early Intervention Specialist and had worked at The Anne Sullivan Center Early Intervention in Lowell as a Developmental Educator for over 7 years. She later worked as the Education Director of The Goddard School in Westford for 10 years. She most recently created The Inspirational Educator, a business from home offering training and consultation for Early Childhood Educators and Parents. This allows her to also care for her elderly disabled father and be present for her teenage son.
Description: Inspiration! We all had it at one time. We were inspired to change the world, teach the next generation, support each other, and really make a difference. Somewhere along the line, many have lost their inspiration and the Covid Crisis did not help! Let’s find ways to bring JOY back to the adults who are caring and educating young children.
Register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScDsHXgjEzkDdhCEiEdlJngka9vhalTx3WCNT1Thx_mfY2YDQ/viewform
October 14 - Protect & Professionalize Your Business
Areas: 7,8
Presenter: Sharon Woodward, FCC Consultant
Sharon Woodward is the founder of Woodward Consulting, which provides consultation, training, and
advocacy to early childcare professionals. She is the author of The Program Guide for Early Childcare
Professionals, The Redleaf Family Child Care Curriculum & Developmental Assessment, and co-author of
The Home Visitor’s Manual and Family Child Care Guide to Visits, Inspections, and Interviews.
Description:Professionalize and Protect Your Early Child Care Business
There appears to be a common assumption, if providers just follow the rules (no matter how confusing)
there will never be complaints, incidents, or issues. It has been my experience that’s simply not true.
Any small business owner who operates an early childcare program (no matter the number of degrees,
years of experience, licensing history, or credentials) can, at any time, find their license and their
business in jeopardy. This training was developed to help providers avoid common problems; problems
which can sometimes lead to more serious licensing and enforcement issues.
Register here: forms.gle/Et8Qud3qMQdjaMuo8
November 11 - Supporting at Risk Families
Areas: 3, DL
Presenter: Chris Canning Wilson, Executive Director of Ed4U2
Description: Using a model framework of best practices, to partner with parents and understand perspective as a social construct, direct family resources to solve key challenges, and how to work within appropriate boundaries, this interactive workshop will address:
•How to create a working action plan that is individualized for an at-Risk family
•Providing Responsive Services
•Internal and External Referral Services
•Short term counseling and intervention
•Removing barriers to learning
•Competencies of advocacy including boundary parameters
•Enhancing awareness of mental health
•Promotion of positive, healthy behaviors
•Addressing and removing stigma
•Educating community stakeholders
•Fundamental beliefs and philosophies that state all children can learn and all students
deserve the opportunity to succeed in a safe and secure environment
•Address developmental needs and focus on primary preventions
•Considerations to ethical and cultural considerations. This will include looking at foundations of accountability
within both delivery and management systems. Participants will be asked to reflect on core beliefs, assumptions,
and philosophies while establishing a structure for innovative and effective practice.
This will include, but not belimited to, how to best help young learners acquire skills and knowledge that contribute
to effective learning as they enter preschool and kindergarten environments.
This means that we will look to review preventative, proactive, and responsive behaviors that support both
sequential and developmental components of research-basedfindings. The workshop concludes disseminating
positive solutions to increase sensitivity and offer suggestions tosolve key challenges faced by
both participants and the clients served. Together, we will look to actions that address, identify barriersand address inequities to help create systemic change.
Register here:docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdf9WNOhMbrM209K4IDpyTPfsdt4wzjtX7Fvs7oF5lS2bRB2g/viewform
January 13 - Calming Sensory Stimuli:Art & Music Found Outside
Areas: 2,5
Presenter: Rina Zampieron, Mass Audobon Early Education
Description: Learn various techniques for listening and looking to find the calming and restorative art and music that is in nature. Get creative and take inspiration from and gain an appreciation for that art and music that can only be found outside
Register here: https://forms.gle/fKjsGNAPM1LdVxKZA
February 10 - Adapting to Change:Buidling Early Science Literacy
Areas: 2,5
Presenter: Rina Zampieron, Mass Audubon Early Education
Description: Help your preschoolers answer some of the bigger questions about how and why things change and
how we can adapt. This exciting intro to science literacy covers concepts like cause and effect,the cyclical nature of
life, how all living things can adapt to new challenges, and how to observe that which is going on around us.
Register here: https://forms.gle/oTsWVTxML89nqtucA
March 10 - Child Centered Solutions for Children with Special Needs
Areas: DL
Presenter: FCCA Board, Problem Solving Night
Description:
Register here: https://forms.gle/kfaZ3kuGwnkkEbMD8
April 14 Children with Sensory Processing Issues
Areas: Diverse Learners
Presenter: Linda Schumacher
Location:
First Baptist Parish, 7 Concord Rd, Billerica, MA 01821
Please refer to your confirmation email for covid protocol.
Did you know that we use SEVEN different senses to navigate the world? Children who have difficulty processing sensory input can also have challenges with behavior, communication, and carrying out every-day activities. Learn more about our seven senses, Sensory Processing Disorder, and how you can adapt your environment and interactions to support children with this complex disorder.
https://forms.gle/GqPhitms8kEQPBm49
May 12 - Gardening with Children and it's Benefits
Areas: 4,5
Presenter: Karen L. Stairs owner of A Step Ahead Consulting, Workshops, and Professional Organizing
Karen is a mom of 4 and a grandmother of 4. She has worked in the field of Early Childhood Education for over 37 years. Karen is also a Creative Memories Advisor. Her interests are camping, gardening, quilting and scrapbooking.
Description: Gardening with children provides the perfect combination of skills and tasks to address a child’s
development. Growing a gardening is a great physical development activity.
Young children can practice large and small muscle development while gardening. I will even throw in
some Gardening songs with music and movement in them!
. Stairs of A Step Ahead Consulting and Workshops KaKaren L Stairs of A Step Ahead Consulting and Workshops ren L. Stairs Kof A Step Ahead Consulting
Another aspect of physical development is the sensory stimulation: Watering, touching the plants,
feeling their textures and playing in the soil is a great way to enhance sensory stimulation.
Gardens are a visual explosion of colors... and children are often more willing to try a new food if they
have been involved in the process of growing it. Math and Science are involved too !
Literacy skills can be part of gardening...I will give you a list of some of my favorite children’s books.
Gardening also fosters Cognitive development. Working together on your garden with your children is togetherness
time. Social Time is key in a child’s development... Just watch them grow as their garden grows!! It can be a garden bed, a
container garden or a simple pot to grow your garden in...From years of experience growing gardens
with my child care children...I know they will love it!! Each participant will also get the chance to get their
hands in the soil with a Make and Take Activity.
Register here: https://forms.gle/ujUbzxDWggLqLohk6
Non-Member Information
All family child care providers are welcome to attend a workshop. The non-member workshop fee is $25 and must be paid before the workshop begins. Email familychildcareassoc@gmail.com to confirm enrollment and schedule a payment. No refunds; please make sure you can attend before signing up. Non-member workshop fees are not applicable towards membership.
Providers that are interested in seeing what the FCCA has to offer may attend for free. Non-members who do not pay for the workshop will not receive a training certificate. Visit the membership page to get more information on membership.
All family child care providers are welcome to attend a workshop. The non-member workshop fee is $25 and must be paid before the workshop begins. Email familychildcareassoc@gmail.com to confirm enrollment and schedule a payment. No refunds; please make sure you can attend before signing up. Non-member workshop fees are not applicable towards membership.
Providers that are interested in seeing what the FCCA has to offer may attend for free. Non-members who do not pay for the workshop will not receive a training certificate. Visit the membership page to get more information on membership.