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Past Accomplishments

1. Launched a GECC web-site linked to Town/BOE web-sites with parenting and early childhood information easily available to parents.

2. Developed and printed a GECC Community Brochure.

3. Completed a parent survey to explore parent sentiment and concern on a range of early childhood issues. The results of this survey, including all parent comments that were listed on the survey, can be viewed on the GECC website through the "Parents" link.

4. Completed an 8 part workshop series on the CT Preschool Curriculum and Assessment Framework that was offered to childcare providers, public educators and parents over the course of the 07'- 08' school year. The workshops were geared towards improving the quality of early childhood experiences for Granby's children. The workshop series was facilitated by Beth Bye, State Representative and Director of Early Childhood Education, Capital Region Education Council, and Sandra Fowler of the Hartford Association for the Education of Young Children. The workshops were well attended not only by Granby childcare providers, but also by early educators and providers from several surrounding communities. In particular, the April workshop was attended by providers and early educators representing the following communities: Granby, East Granby, Simsbury, Canton, Burlington and Hartford. This demonstrates the response of childcare providers and early educators throughout the State of CT to Governor Rell's Early Childhood Investment Framework, "Ready by 5 and Fine by 9". The Framework identifies 50 action items necessary to achieve the following goals for the state's young children:

• To reach appropriate developmental milestones from birth to age five.
• To begin kindergarten with the knowledge, skills and behaviors needed for success in school.
• " To have K-3 education experiences that extend children's birth-to-five learning and ensure consistent progress in achieving reading mastery.

One of the Ten Immediate Priorities listed in the framework is to develop a multi-year early childhood work force professional development plan to assure compliance with state law and selected national certification programs. Studies have demonstrated that more highly qualified teachers contribute significantly to better outcomes for children. Teachers who have bachelor's degrees and specialized training in early childhood education are better able to meet the school readiness needs of preschool children. In a 2004 policy paper entitled "Better Teachers, Better Preschools: Student Achievement Linked to Teacher Qualifications," The National Institute for Early Education Research summarized the findings of this body of research as follows: "Both general education and specific preparation in early childhood education have been found to predict teaching quality. Better-educated teachers have more positive, sensitive and responsive interaction with children, provide richer language and cognitive experiences, and are less authoritarian, punitive and detached. The result is better social, emotional, linguistic and cognitive development for the child."

Granby is fortunate that through Discovery Grant funds its early educators and providers are receiving professional development opportunities that are in line with the Governor's Early Childhood Investment Plan which will result in more highly educated and qualified local childcare providers in Granby, and therefore, better outcomes for Granby's children.

5. Secured the following grant:

An Incentive Grant from the Graustein Memorial Fund for an 8 part workshop series on the CT Preschool Curriculum and Assessment Framework that was offered to childcare providers, public educators and parents during the 07' – 08' school year.

Fiscal Year 08' - 09' GECC Accomplishments:

1. Hosted a 9 part workshop series during the 08'- 09' school year for parents and childcare providers on "Key Issues Facing Parents of Young Children in the 21st Century". These workshops were designed to empower parents as their child's first teacher, and assist providers and parents working to understand and improve kindergarten readiness. This series offered the following topical workshops:

• "Early Childhood Growth & Developmental Milestones / Special Needs Education"
• "Discipline Using Your Hearts and Your Smarts"
• "Weaving Nutritious and Delicious Foods into Literacy"
• "Math is More Than Numbers"
• "Preparing Your Child for a Hospital Experience"
• "Pediatric Dental Health Related to School Readiness"
• "Smooth Transitions: Making the Move from Little Kid to Big Kid"
• "Reading, Writing...Ready?"
• "Through the Eyes of A Child: Television, Technology and Young Children"

2. The GECC, the Superintendent, public school administrators and the preschools met to discuss ways to improve the preschool connection to the public schools. The outcome of this meeting included:

• inviting preschool teachers to attend professional development offerings within the public schools where appropriate
• arranging semi-annual meetings for the preschools and members of the school system
• organizing field trip visits for preschool teachers to visit kindergarten classes
• inviting providers to attend kindergarten orientations
• sending primary school newsletters to providers
• continuing representation of public school staff at GECC monthly meetings.

3. With assistance from the CT Center for School Change, the GECC also recently formed a Kindergarten Transition Team for the Town of Granby. The team will work to establish a coordinated kindergarten transition plan for all of Granby's children and families. The net result that the GECC expects as an outcome of this work is the development of a community-wide transition plan and communications system which is seamless. Dialog and ongoing communication will exist across the early care and public education environment. All early child care providers and parents will feel that they are part of a team, along with the public schools, which ensures that all children arrive at school healthy and socially and emotionally prepared for academic success and life-long learning."

4. Developed and posted to the GECC website the "Granby School Readiness Booklet" developed by a first grade teacher and GECC volunteer, Bonnie Quinlan.

5. Worked with GECC and GCTV volunteers in developing ongoing community programming on a wide variety of early care and education topics.

6. Secured the following grants:

• From the Granby Education Foundation for a 3 part workshop series offering parents hands-on information on the topic of school readiness while also connecting parents to the local professionals that will continue to be available to assist them and their children, often even before their child enters the public school system. This series was offered during the 08' – 09' school year.
• From the Corinne G. Levin Education Fund to fund 3 workshops provided by a consultant from a Family Resource Center to address some of the key issues facing parents of young learners in the 21st century. This series was offered during the 08' – 09' school year.
• From the Corinne G. Levin Education Fund to fund 3 workshops provided by a consultant from a Family Resource Center to address several more of the topical key issues facing parents of young learners in the 21st century. This series will be offered during the 09' – 10' school year.

7. Contracted with a consultant to complete a feasibility study to assess community interest regarding the viability of a Family Resource Center (FRC) in Granby. The GECC conducted twelve focus groups throughout the community and used a Zoomerang on line survey. In all, one hundred and thirty-two (132) individuals participated in either a focus group conversation or completed an on line survey. Although not an exceptionally large number, these one hundred and thirty-two participants represent a cross section of Granby citizens who committed their time to share their ideas, and in many instances, pledged their time and their talents to some form of a FRC. When asked, "Would you attend a Family Resource Center if it was located in Granby?", seventy-five (75 %) of respondents stated "Yes." Based on all of the study results, there is strong support for a FRC to be located in Granby that would provide parenting information and early learning group activities for young children and their parents.

8. Responded to community input from the feasibility study by offering an 8 week Early Learning Group Series for parents/grandparents and young children. The program had initially been designed to offer two program sessions, one for children ages 1 and 2 with their parents and/or caregivers, and another for children ages 3 and 4 with their parents and/or caregivers. Classes sizes were limited to 12 children with their parents and/or caregivers, and both sessions filled up immediately once the ELGs were publicized within the community. In response to this, and with continued generosity of space by the YMCA, the GECC decided to offer two additional sessions to the children and parents and/or caregivers who were initially placed on a "wait list".

9. Offered an Early Learning Foreign Language Series for parents/grandparents and young children . The GECC was only able to offer one Spanish class this spring, and 7 children and their parents/grandparents were “wait listed” until fall when additional classes will be offered once again.