Lights, Camera: Head Start and other early-childhood workers can earn college credits and learn more about child-care programs on a new satellite television program.
The National Head Start Association in Alexandria, Va., created the Heads Up! Network as a cost-effective way to improve teacher quality and provide professional development.
Programming, which began airing in late September, addresses Head Start program standards and news, effective management, health, special needs, and infant-toddler development.
Child-care providers can earn credits from participating child-development programs and continuing-education courses.
The programming is available about three hours every week, and viewers can call in with questions for a panel of experts.
About 600 early-childhood centers have signed up for the direct satellite network’s programming.
The NHSA is hoping to have an additional 1,000 centers sign up by the end of the year.
Child-care centers pay $50 each month to cover the production costs. The satellite and receiver system are free to the centers and are paid for by the NHSA, along with various foundations and corporate sponsors.
More information about the programming is available on the World Wide Web at www.heads-up.org.
Build It: Whether they are putting up new facilities or just remodeling old ones, schools, child-care providers, and other groups that serve young children have a new resource available to them.
“Designing Child Care Settings,” a publication from Cornell Cooperative Extension at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., features information on space, materials, furniture, and equipment that is appropriate for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and young school-age children. Proper lighting and safety are two of the issues covered.
Written by Lorraine E. Mazwell, an assistant professor in the university’s department of design and environmental analysis, the 110-page manual addresses both indoor and outdoor spaces and can be used by individuals and groups of providers.
The author also provides suggestions on how to work with an architect.
Copies of the book are available for $15 each from the Cornell University Media and Technology Services Resource Center, 8 BTP, Ithaca, NY 14850.
--Karen L. Abercrombie kaber@epe.org & Linda Jacobson ljacobs@epe.org.
