ECE Resources for Families and Children
Family members, friends, or neighbors who provide child care are collectively known as FFN care. These license-exempt caregivers play a foundational role in delivering quality early childhood education (ECE). Benefitting from the lower child-to-adult ratios typical in FFN settings, these caregivers are well-positioned to create nurturing environments that lay the groundwork for future learning. This setting allows for more personalized attention, fostering engaging activities, interactive play, and consistent communication. As a result, they help stimulate cognitive, social, and emotional development.
FFN caregivers often face stress and disconnection. To help, it’s vital they have access to educational resources, activities, and enhanced knowledge in early child development to support their essential role. The following resources specifically address these needs, offer guidance on quality ECE practices, provide tips for creating conducive home environments, and share information on play-based learning.
Resources to Support Quality Early Childhood Education
Safety Guidelines for Childproofing
Knowledge of how to childproof a home or care environment is crucial to prevent accidents and ensure the child’s safety.
- Learn more about the Colorado Department of Early Childhood’s Safe Child Care Tools
- Info, in Spanish, about the Colorado Department of Early Childhood’s Safe Child Care Tools
- Visit the Safe Kids Worldwide website
Emergency Preparedness
Being prepared for emergencies is essential for any caregiver. Be equipped with the knowledge to respond effectively in unexpected situations and safeguard children. Explore this Emergency Preparedness Manual prepared by the National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness.
Child Development Stage Resources
Understanding the developmental stages of infants and toddlers helps caregivers provide age-appropriate care and stimulation, fostering optimal growth and learning.
Below are some relevant resources from the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (EDEC):
- The Colorado Early Learning and Development Guidelines includes a wide variety of tools, including a list of Resources for Caregivers and Toddlers (on page 23).
- The CDEC’s Early Learning and Development Guidelines are also available in Spanish, where the list of Resources for Caregivers and Toddlers is on page 19.
- The CDEC Age-appropriate activities and play ideas:
The CDEC also offers related resources in other languages. For details, view the first drop down menu on their Learning and Development Guidelines page.
Nutrition Information for Young Children
Proper nutrition is fundamental for a child’s growth and development. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers early nutrition guidance on their Good Nutrition Starts Early webpage.
Health and Hygiene Practices
Knowledge of health and hygiene practices is essential for maintaining the child’s well-being and preventing the spread of illnesses, especially in a caregiving setting. Find Child Care Health Regulations from the Colorado Department of Public Health.
Family Support Programs
These programs offer vital support, address mental health, strengthen family relationships, and provide access to community resources. They also enhance overall family well-being and help caregivers become more self-reliant. Learn more about Family Support Programs from the Colorado Department of Early Childhood.
PASO, Providers Advancing Student Outcomes
PASO offers an intensive 120-hour early childhood education program that helps support informal childcare providers, who are often the aunts, grandmas, uncles, best friends, and neighbors of the family.
Educational Materials
Longmont cares about its youngest community members. The following local resources and education materials are provided for free or low cost to all families.
- Children’s activities, ideas and support resources from the TLC Learning Center
- Reading lists by age groups, provided by the Longmont Public Library
- Free bilingual books to 3- & 4-year-olds for FFN providers. Longmont City Council Book Club – City of Longmont Children, Youth, and Families Division. To sign up please call 303-651-8580 or email Stephanie.
- Longmont Museum Discovery Days is an early childhood program that encourages children ages 2 to 6 and their parents or caregivers to engage together in educational, hands-on art, music, and movement activities.
- Longmont Growing Readers sends four-year-olds free books by mail.
- The Colorado Office of Early Childhood offers Early Literacy Tips.
- The St. Vrain Valley School District offers a guide to Kindergarten Registration.
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