Early Childhood
Please find below upcoming events and resources related to early childhood and childcare.
Crawford County Child Care Task Force Secures Dream Up Grant Second time to Bolster Quality Improvements in Child Care Services
Crawford County Child Care Task Force is thrilled to announce the receipt of the Dream Up Grant 2, aimed at providing vital funding to further enhance quality standards for both existing and new child care providers and facilities.
Building on the success of the initial Dream Up Grant, this second installment will continue to support our ongoing efforts to ensure that children in our community receive the highest quality care possible.
The Dream Up Grant 2 will enable us to:
- Implement quality improvement measures in existing child care facilities.
- Support new child care providers in meeting and exceeding quality standards.
- Enhance access to resources and training for child care professionals.
- Promote awareness about the importance of high-quality child care services.
“We are immensely grateful for the opportunity to receive the Dream Up Grant 2,” said Amanda Griswold. “This funding will play a crucial role in our mission to provide children with safe, nurturing, and enriching environments that support their growth and development.”
Through targeted investments and strategic partnerships, Crawford County Child Care Task Force remains committed to fostering a community where every child has access to high-quality early childhood education and care.
If you have any questions, please contact Amanda Griswold at 608-326-0227 or email amanda.griswold@wisc.edu.
Grant Application due: Monday, August 5, 2024 at 4:30 pm
Application Deadlines:
- Postmarked by: Friday, August 2, 2024
- In-person drop-off until: Monday, August 5, 2024, 4:30 pm
- Apply online by clicking here before Monday, August 5, 2024, 4:30 pm
Educational Resources
The Wisconsin Dream Up Committee and Crawford County Early Childhood Taskforce have created two educational resources!
The first is for those looking to hire childcare providers and contains a list of important interview questions.
The second is an informational guide for parents/guardians on how to establish and maintain a healthy relationship with their childcare provider.
Feel free to download and share these helpful documents!
Passion to Profession: Sparking Child Care Endeavors in…
The Crawford County Child Care Task Force has created educational videos with innovation grant from UW-Madison Extension. These videos highlight the benefits of the child care profession and provide guidance for starting or enhancing child care businesses. There are six videos in total, five in English and one in Spanish.
Benefits of the Child Care Profession
Experts and support agencies in Southwestern Wisconsin discuss the advantages of working in child care.
Essential Service of Child Care
Local businesses and agencies highlight the importance of child care in supporting local economies and child development.
Skills and Pathways
Learn about the necessary skills and pathways to become a regulated child care provider with support from The Parenting Place, WECA, and Extension.
Starting a Child Care Business
Discover steps and resources to start your own child care business in Wisconsin.
Watch the videos to learn more about the child care profession and how you can get involved.
For more information and to access the videos, please visit Univerisity of Wisconsin Extension YouTube
Crawford County Dream Up! 2023 Initiative
Overview: The Crawford County Child Care Task Force introduces the Dream Up! 2023 initiative to enhance child care services through the Child Care Supply-Building Grant Program by First Children’s Finance.
Grant Details:
Funding: $75,000 awarded to Crawford County.
Key Achievements:
- Developed the “Pathways to the Child Care Profession” course.
- Created a promotional commercial viewed by over 12,000 individuals.
- Distributed grants for new and existing child care programs to 10 child care programs.
- Released brochures to help families choose safe child care.
Impact and Future Plans: The initiative significantly improves local child care quality and access. Future plans include continued support and expansion of services.
Get Involved: For more information contact Amanda Griswold by calling at 608-326-0227 or by emailing amanda.griswold@wis.cedu.
Community Partners
Community Partners Supporting Child Care in Wisconsin:
Wisconsin Early Childhood Association | Wisconsin Shared Services Early Education Network (WEESSN) | The Parenting Place
Explore their websites for additional early childhood resources
wisconsinearlychildhood.org
https://www.theparentingplace.net/
New Start-Up Program Page | Wisconsin Early Childhood Association
Find additional State programming here!
