For Directors 

Directors Alerts – EEC

• To view the latest update from Governor Baker, click here.
• Eye on Early Education’s most recent blog highlighted the report, “Build Stronger: A Child Care Policy Roadmap for Transforming Our Nation’s Child Care System.” Each of the following four areas identified in the report include suggested short and long term goals:
  – Access and affordability
  – Advance the ECE profession
  – Reform childcare financing
  – Build a better child care business model
• The next Cambridge Directors Support Zoom meeting, led by B3 mentors, will move to every other week. Days and times will alternate between Tuesday and Wednesday for these meetings going forward. You can access the schedule for October through May here.
• Shared Services has a wealth of resources, including forms and templates. Check out some safety checklists, including this Emergency Preparedness one. If you don’t already have access, sign up for free.

For Directors, Providers, Home Visitors, Educators & Families

Health & Wellness

• B3 has posted EEC’s COVID-19 Positive Reporting Form on its website (under EEC Reopening Guidelines and Forms). 
  
• Dominique Jean, a school nurse, will answer your urgent COVID-19 symptom questions (Is this dry cough from COVID-19 or due to allergies?). She can be reached at: 781.803.0766. 
  
• For non-urgent COVID-19 related calls, please call 617.665.3648. One of two nurses will reply to all hotline phone calls and emails after they have checked the phone line or email account.
  
• For more complex medically related questions, Directors should contact MA Dept. of Public Health’s epidemiologist Dr. Katherine Hsu at 617.983.6948 or [email protected]. 
  
• EEC’s Reopening Plan requires programs to provide contact information for their local Board of Health.
  • This information should now be:
    Address: 119 Windsor St., Cambridge, MA 02139
    Phone: 617.665.3648
    Email: [email protected] 
    

Managing Stress and Anxiety

• Conscious Discipline provides a wealth of free resources for parents and providers alike. Click here for some of their Brain Break activities.
• Barefoot Books also has many books, resources, music and card decks, including these, for calming and relaxing.
• Headspace & Sesame Street partnered to create Meditations for children! Here are links to the first 3 videos (there are currently 6 in the series).
  – Video 1 >>
  – Video 2 >>
  – Video 3 >>

For Teachers

Curriculum Support & Professional Development

• Click here to see B3’s Online Training Resources for the Early Childhood Workforce dated September 29, 2020.
  
  

For Families

Activities for Families

• Click here for WGBH’s Family Fun at Home that has activities for children ages 3 to 5.
• Find It Cambridge is regularly updating its Virtual Activities at Home category with online and at-home activities for all ages of children and adults to enjoy.
• Check out the Cambridge Public Library website for fun virtual events.

• Parents and caregivers who are experiencing any kinds of problems related to their children can call the Parental Stress Line for support: 1.800.623.8188. The Parental Stress Line is staffed by volunteer counselors who are sympathetic and nonjudgmental and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.