Explore these resources, tools, and strategies to support successful implementation of Early Head Start-Child Care (EHS-CC) Partnerships and other local partnerships, such as Pre-K. Training and technical assistance staff and EHS-CC Partnership grantees and their child care partners will find resources about partnerships, family child care (FCC), professional development, regulations and standards, and evaluation.
Planning Guide and Organizational Readiness Chart for Early Head Start and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships
Use this tool to determine your program's readiness for planning and implementing an Early Head Start or EHS-CC Partnership program.
Foundations for Fostering Partnerships in Head Start and Early Head Start
Explore the basics of Head Start partnerships. Learn ways to build collaborative relationships that streamline services and maximize funding and resources for children and families.
Ensuring Collaborative Partnerships: Strategies for Effective Meetings, Decision-Making, and Conflict Resolution
Conducting effective meetings, making collaborative decisions, and addressing conflicts are crucial in developing collaborative partnerships. This resource supports Head Start programs in honing those strategies.
EHS-CC Partnership Implementation Planners and Fiscal Consultants
Programs, at their discretion, can choose to use Office of Head Start (OHS)-trained consultants to facilitate the planning and implementation of an EHS-CC Partnership or an EHS Expansion.
Promoting Continuity of Care in Infant and Toddler Settings
Continuity of care is especially important for young children's development. Explore this resource to find background information and examples of strategies that leaders can use to help promote continuity of care in their state, territory, or tribe.
Orientation Sessions for Partnerships Teams
Explore this series of Office Hours videos and tools to assist you in working with your EHS-CC Partnership. These presentations were conducted in 2015 by the Office of Head Start, the Office of Child Care federal staff, and national center training and technical assistance providers.
Family Child Care
Selecting and Recruiting Family Child Care (FCC) Providers
Hear about how one program recruited FCC providers, what to consider regarding locations, qualifications, and their willingness to collaborate and provide high-quality services.
Implementing Early Head Start in Family Child Care
Hear about the FCC option within Early Head Start and consider the expansion of quality FCC within communities. Learn strategies for building systems of seamless services.
Education Requirements for Family Child Care Providers
Qualified FCC programs can provide care and education to young children in partnership program settings. Use this brief to help match candidates with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required for FCC providers in partnership programs with Head Start and Early Head Start.
Response Checklists for Family Child Care Homes
As a family child care provider, you may find that the stress of an actual emergency affects your response. Use these three checklists when exercising a response plan.
National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) Accreditation Brochure
Learn more about high quality family child care and how implementing the Quality Standards for NAFCC Accreditation raises the quality of care children receive.
Professional Development
Steps to Earn Your Family Child Care CDA Credential
Take a look at the Council for Professional Recognition website to learn the steps to earn a FCC Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential.
Education Requirements for Family Child Care Providers
Use this brief to better understand the Head Start regulations on the staff and considerations for family child care providers.
Individualized Professional Development (iPD) Portfolio
The iPD Portfolio is an online platform created to support ongoing professional development for staff in Head Start and child care settings. Access the Making Strides training modules for EHS-CC Partnerships that are self-paced and based on staff roles and interests.
Coaching as a Tool for Delivering Professional Development
A key goal of the EHS-CC Partnerships is to increase the supply of high-quality early learning environments for infants and toddlers. Learn how EHS-CC Partnership programs do this by investing in coaching the infant and toddler child care workforce.
The Education Navigator: A Program to Support Child Care Providers' Professional Development
Learn about the Education Navigator program. It helps child care partner staff members obtain a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™. Explore how the Education Navigator provides support and guidance to assist staff as they make their way through community college. The program was developed by the Maricopa County Human Services Department (MCHSD) of Arizona.
Introducing Early Educator Central
This Office Hour introduces Early Educator Central (EEC): Pathways for Credentials and Degrees for Infant/Toddler Educators. Learn more about EEC at https://earlyeducatorcentral.acf.hhs.gov/.
Supporting Providers in Obtaining Their Child Development Associate Credential
Learn how one grantee helped child care partner staff members obtain required credentialing. Explore specific examples of how this grantee used innovative practices to make this happen.
Healthy Child Care America: Online Training on Health and Safety Topics
Use these resources to help pediatric health providers collaborate with early education and child care providers to increase quality of care, promote early education, and improve children's health and well-being.
Additional Support
Providing Continuity of Care to Infants and Toddlers with Special Needs
It is important for all children to have continuity of care. Explore examples of how EHS-CC Partnership grantees support consistent caregiving in programs.
Stages of Partnerships
All partnerships are unique and different. Learn about how partnerships follow these predictable stages that, when navigated skillfully, ensure success.
Head Start Program Performance Standards Relating to Ratios and Group Size
Use these infographics to learn about the Head Start Program Performance Standards relating to ratios and group size (i.e., Center-based, 45 CFR §1302.21 and Family child care option, 45 CFR §1302.23).
Partnership Basics: Strategies for Creating Successful Partnerships
Partnerships are not simple or easy. Consider these strategies to make sure all partners share the same vision and mission and understand the anticipated results.
A Guide to Effective Consultation with Settings Serving Infants, Toddlers, and Their Families: Core Knowledge, Competencies, and Dispositions
Explore this collaboratively developed document that defines the core knowledge, competencies, and dispositions for consultants working in all early care and education settings and sectors serving infants, toddlers, and their families.
Infant/Toddler Consultant Self-Assessment Tool
Consultants play an important role in supporting the quality of settings serving infants, toddlers, and their families. Use this self-assessment tool as a companion to “A Guide to Effective Consultation with Settings Serving Infants, Toddlers, and their Families: Core Knowledge, Competencies, and Dispositions”.
Read more:
Local Early Childhood Partnerships
Child Care Partnerships, EHS expansion
Resource Type:Article
National Centers:Early Head Start – Child Care Partnerships
Last Updated: July 14, 2020