Fun, hands-on, early childhood training that discusses issues about infants and toddlers.

To enhance provider’s knowledge about infants and toddlers, in turn improving care for them.

*An opportunity to share your knowledge and learn from other’s knowledge about infants and toddlers.

*An opportunity to apply for grant money to help enhance care for infants and toddlers.

Contact the Family Resource Network for information on specific class topics, locations and dates of training.

A mini-grant incentive program is being offered to child care providers who successfully complete 20 hours of the WestEd infant-toddler training sponsored by a South Dakota Early Childhood Enrichment Program or one of the South Dakota Tribal Infant-Toddler Training Programs. Child care providers who have met the following requirements may apply for a mini-grant:

The child care provider must have completed 20 hours of WestEd infant-toddler training conducted by a qualified SD infant-toddler trainer.
The child care provider must be currently working in a licensed or registered child care program or be in the process of becoming licensed/registered.
The child care provider must currently be providing care for children between the ages of birth to five years, in a program caring for infants/toddlers or have plans to expand the number of infant and/or toddler slots available through the program they operate.
The child care provider must be enrolled in or submitted their application to the SD Pathways to Professional Development Career Lattice.
An application must be completed in which the child care provider describes how the grant item(s) requested relates to the WestEd infant-toddler training they attended.

Family Child Care Providers will be allowed to use the mini-grant funds (up to $200 per year) for the following:

1) The purchase of developmentally appropriate infant/toddler equipment, toys and/or resources

2) As a credit toward CDA training tuition costs

Group Family Child Care Programs will be allowed to apply for a maximum grant amount of $600 per year ($200 for each staff member who meets the requirements listed above) for the following:

1)     The purchase of developmentally appropriate infant/toddler equipment, toys and/or resources

2)     As a credit toward CDA training tuition costs

3)     As a salary increase or bonus for the staff member(s) that completed the WestEd infant-toddler training.

Child Care Centers will be allowed to apply for a maximum grant amount of $1000 per year ($200 for each staff member who meets the requirements listed above) for the following:

1)     The purchase of developmentally appropriate infant/toddler equipment, toys and/or resources

2)     As a credit toward CDA training tuition costs

3)     As a salary increase or bonus for the staff member(s) that completed the WestEd infant-toddler training.

Examples of Suitable Infant/Toddler Toys:

INFANTS:

Musical Toys Rattles

Small unbreakable mirrors Activity mat

Soft fabric toys w/ differing sounds & texture 3-D activity gym

Fabric dolls or animals with easy-to-grab limbs Floor spinners

Soft, early years activity shapes Peek-a-boo tunnels

Manipulative w/ differing shapes, sounds, textures Cloth or cardboard books

Washable dolls and animals Soft fabric-covered balls

Rolling toys or vehicles Cloth Blocks

Floor rollers for crawlers

TODDLERS:

Ride-on toys Musical toys

Fill and dump toys Toy phone

Manipulative with moving parts Push toys

Pull toys Activity Table

Small vehicles Toddler climbers

Lightweight balls Toddler golf

Climbing/Sliding toys Sand boxes

Big blocks Table and chairs

Simple puzzles/shape-sorters Wagon

Shovel and pail Nesting/Stacking toys

Housekeeping props (small broom, dustpan, vacuum, dishes)

OTHER IDEAS:

Child-size furniture Wagons

Soft mats Tactile pillows Sand/Water Table

Toddler Slide Sandbox

Tunnel Easels

Multi-Level Climbers Activity Planning Books for Infants/Toddlers

Gates Playhouse

Activity Garden Little Tykes Climbers

Changing Table Crib