This is a good time for early education providers in homes and child centers to apply for support from Educare and its training and mentoring services.

To apply or for more information:

Call Susan Duffey at 816-474-4240 or email sduffey@marc.org.

Providers who apply now and are enrolled in Educare by Sept. 30 can earn mini-grants valued at $500 to $1,000 to choose new learning materials for their classrooms.

The Educare initiative promotes early childhood education through a simple approach: educate and train those who care for our children between zero and three, and up through school age. Educare providers attend workshops on child development, cognition, motor skills, behavior problems, child abuse and neglect.

Programs that are interested in participating must:

• Currently care for Missouri-subsidized children from newborns to age six.

• Be a registered family child care home provider (serving six or fewer children), licensed child care home or license-exempt faith-based child care center.

• Agree to participate in monthly, on-site visits with a friendly, qualified Educare specialist who will provide resources. The specialist will help you develop and complete your goals.

• Must commit to and complete three site visits and achieve up to two program improvement goals over three months.

The award of grant materials will be made upon completion of requirements.

Benefits of Educare

Educare provides on-site visits to enhance child care programs that serve children receiving state assistance. A friendly, experienced coach can work together with you and the children in your home or center. Appointments are available during child care hours.

Educare delivers:

• Tools to create a developmentally-rich environment.

• Resources to create a successful child care business.

• Individualized home and classroom visits which are:

o Personalized to your goals and interests.

o Customized for children in your care.

• Support to navigate state programs.

• Health and safety resources and guidance.

• Learning ideas for all ages.

• Free books, toys and safety supplies.

Educare's on-site services are offered to registered and licensed child care providers and license-exempt faith-based child care centers who serve Missouri-subsidized children, from newborns up to age six, in Jackson, Cass, Ray, Platte and Clay counties.

To apply or for more information, contact Susan Duffey at 816-474-4240 or email sduffey@marc.org.

Educare is administered by the Mid-America Regional Council in partnership with LINC, The Family Conservancy, MCC-Penn Valley and Start at Zero. Educare funding is provided by the Missouri Department of Social Services’s Children’s Division, Early Childhood Section.