School bells will be ringing throughout the Lower Naugatuck Valley soon.
For young children, their families and providers, there are many useful community resources offered through www.preschooltools.org.
The Valley Early Childhood Task Force of the Valley Council for Health and Human Services created this central website to serve as a clearinghouse of timely information.
This fall, help your kids connect with the services and programs that will help them grow. There are also many opportunities for parents and providers to learn something new too.
The regional website www.preschooltools.org offers information for parents and providers in the four communities we serve: Ansonia, Derby, Seymour and Shelton.
Local School Readiness Coordinators post monthly articles of interest and a calendar of events.
Parents and providers are encouraged to sign up for the monthly e‑newsletter that features topics of interest.
In addition, the following free publications are available for parents: the Lower Naugatuck Valley Child Care Resource Guide, the Parent Resource Guide to Licensed Child Care Home Providers in the Valley and Kindergarten Readiness Placemats.
Many of these publications will be handed at fairs and festivals in the Valley this fall. Providers also have access to books and DVDs at Derby, Seymour and Shelton Libraries.
The Task Force has initiated many other successful projects and programs including:
Griffin Hospital Baby Kit Distribution – Packet includes baby’s first book and child development resources for families with babies born at Griffin Hospital.
People Empowering People (PEP)- Offered locally through the University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension. This inspirational program focuses on personal, family and community leadership development.
Kick Off to Kindergarten in the Valley – Kindergarten registration takes place during the month of January in the four Valley communities of Ansonia, Derby, Seymour and Shelton. Special activities are planned in each community.
Legislative Breakfast (Winter) – Legislators, superintendents, and elected officials attend an annual breakfast and read in classrooms throughout the Valley during Read Across America Day, in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday in early March.
Legislative Breakfast (Fall) – Features a keynote speaker on a timely early childhood issue and provides a legislative update for area legislators, superintendents and elected officials.
Play & Learn Fair – Annual regional event in April commemorates the Week of the Young Child at Warsaw Park in Ansonia. Features hands-on activities for children and their parents, including touch-a-truck with an ambulance, fire truck, and school bus; puppet shows, live animals and over 50 exhibitors. Organized by the Valley Directors Network.
Professional Development Day – In the fall, the Valley Directors Network offers providers relevant workshops at “Making Connections with Young Learners.”
Elementary Principals Roundtable – Principals of Valley elementary schools share ideas between school districts and learn new ideas from a keynote speaker.
Parent Workshops with Valley Family Resource Center – Free workshops for parents that include a family dinner, parent discussion group, childcare and parent-child activity.
Provider Resources at Derby, Seymour and Shelton Libraries – Collection of free educational materials, including books and DVDs that were purchased by the Valley Directors Network through a generous grant awarded by the Valley Community Foundation.
Valley Council of Child Care Home Providers –Child care home providers throughout the Valley meet monthly for training and to share best practices.
Valley Directors Network – This volunteer group of early childhood professionals is dedicated to improving the quality of early childhood education in our community. Our goal is to connect with families, community partners and all child care professionals in our area and work together to achieve greater results for young children.
The Valley Early Childhood Task Force was created in 2005 to promote the importance of early learning for our youngest children in the Lower Naugatuck Valley.
The Task Force focuses on the growth and development of children from birth through eight years of age, the most formative years in life.
Contact Pam Lorenzo, Chair of the Valley Early Childhood Task Force for more information at 203 – 859-6059 or plorenzo@vnascc.org.