Baltimore City Child Care Resource Center
Baltimore City Child Care Resource Center (BCCCRC) serves as the hub for issues relating to the care and education of young children in the City of Baltimore. BCCCRC is a member agency of the Maryland Child Care Resource Network, and serves parents, child care providers, the business community and others who are interested in early care and education. BCCCRC is committed to providing leadership and services to improve the quality, accessibility and affordability of child care in Baltimore City.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING COVID-19
Out of caution for the health and welfare of staff and clients, BCCCRC offices at The Family Tree are opened with staff working on a hybrid schedule, two days in the office and three days working from home.
BCCCRC Staff is available, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. Staff can be reached by email, and telephone messages left on office phones will be delivered to each staff member via email if it is not their scheduled day in the office.
At this time face-to-face training classes are not being held. A full schedule of classes are being offered remotely on the Zoom platform. Updated schedule of classes will be posted on routinely on the BCCCRC web site, on the BCCCRC Facebook page, and through email blasts. Important information is posted on the BCCCRC Facebook page daily. Please be sure to “like” the BCCCRC page and check regularly to receive up to date information.
We are all here to assist you through this crisis. Do not hesitate to reach out to any staff member during the coming days and weeks:
- Tracy Harris, General information and inquires: tharris@familytreemd.org
- Jennifer Lentz, Training and CDA Project: jlentz@familytreemd.org
- Brandi Walker, Technical Assistance for Family Child Care: bwalker@familytreemd.org
- Chaquana Truitt, Technical Assistance for Center-based Programs: ctruitt@familytreemd.org
- Courtney Ross, Technical Assistance Specialist for Growing Opportunities in Family Child Care: cross@familytreemd.org
- Nicole Zuniga, Technical Assistance Specialist for Growing Opportunities in Family child Care: nzuniga@familytreemd.org
- Sue Penix, Infant Toddler Programing: spenix@familytreemd.org
- Suzanne Funk, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation: sfunk@familytreemd.org
- Tova Hoicowitz, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation: thoicowitz@familytreemd.org
- Chakyra Whittington, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation: cwhittington@familytreemd.org
- Kelly Darcy, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation: kdarcey@familytreemd.org
- LaTonya Anderson, Family Resource Specialist: latonyaa@familytreemd.org
- Nea Williams, Family Resource Specialist: nwilliams@familytreemd.org
- Michelle Giove, Early Childhood Business Coach: mgiove@familytreemd.org
- Jennell Bailey, Training registration, general information: jbailey@familytreemd.org
February 2023 Virtual Training Schedule
Working Together: The Importance of Community Helpers in Our Daily Lives
This training explores the importance of community helpers in the lives of young children and how recognizing these people helps to build a community of caring.
Topic: 2 hours Curriculum
Date: Wednesday, January 25
Time: 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Cost: $10.00; Must pre-register
Understanding Developmentally Appropriate Practices with Infants and Toddlers
Understanding Developmentally Appropriate Practice enables a teacher to utilize specific strategies and techniques to meet the individual needs of the children enrolled in your program.
Topic: 3 hours Curriculum
Date: Saturday, January 28
Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Cost: $10.00; Must pre-register
Healthy Meals for Infants and Toddlers
Healthy eating habits are easy to establish early in a child’s life when the parents and caregivers have accurate knowledge of nutritional values. This workshop explores how to help build healthy eating habits in infants & toddlers.
Topic: 2 hours Healthy, Safety and Nutrition
Date: Wednesday, February 1
Time: 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Cost: $10.00; Must pre-register
Building Strong Teams through Personality Types
You will gain new insights into how each team member is “shaped” and this shape causes them to process information and respond to situations in a certain way. You will learn strategies to help staff understand each other’s unique personalities and how to best approach and interact with each other for team cohesiveness.
Topic: 3 hours Professionalism
Date: Saturday, February 4
Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Cost: $10.00; Must pre-register
Learning the Basics: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome NEW
This training will provide participants with a foundational understanding of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Through engaging activities and discussions, participants will learn strength based approaches to working with children with FASD.
Topic: 2 hours Special Needs
Date: Wednesday, February 8
Time: 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
Cost: $10.00; Must pre-register
Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
Did you know that childcare professionals are mandated by law to report child maltreatment? In this training you will develop a policy for preventing and reporting child abuse as well as the signs and symptoms of bullying behaviors and victims’ behaviors
Topic: 2 hours Health, Safety, Nutrition
Date: Thursday, February 9
Time: 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Cost: $10.00; Must pre-register
Terrific Two’s
The two year old is full of wonder and curiosity. They are beginning to show signs of independence. This workshop takes a look at the two year and how the environment as the “third teacher” can help terrific two year old’s growth.
Topic: 3 hours Curriculum
Date: Saturday, February 11
Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Cost: $10.00; Must pre-register
Medication Administration (In-person)
Note: This class will be held at the Julie Center- 100 S Washington St, Baltimore, MD 21231. This class fulfills the MSDE/OCC requirement for all childcare professionals.
Topic: 6 hours Health, Safety and Nutrition
Date: Saturday, February 11
Time: 9:00 am-3:30 pm
Cost: $60.00; Must pre-register
Spread Kindness, Prevent Bullying
Participants will explore concepts and how to age appropriately introduce these to young children – caring, kindness, generosity, and community. Participations will learn how to develop a community between the children in order to spread kindness and prevent bullying.
Topic: 1.5 hours Child Development, 1.5 hours Community
Date: Wednesday, February 15
Time: 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Cost: $10.00; Must pre-register
Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Child’s Perspective
This workshop will explore the world of autism as seen through the eyes of a child with a focus on the range and variance of symptoms as a spectrum disorder
Topic: 3 hours Special Needs
Date: Thursday, February 16
Time: 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Cost: $10.00; Must pre-register
Teaching Problem Solving Throughout the Day
Participants will study the effects of understanding how to problem solve on social and emotional development and the overall effects on academic success. This training will also build participants knowledge base on the process of the problem solving steps and how to teach these steps to children.
Topic: 3 hours Child Development
Date: Saturday, February 18
Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Cost: $10.00; Must pre-register
Lively Arts for Preschoolers
The Arts is more than drawing and painting, they are a variety of mediums that enable young children to express themselves in unique ways through dance, movement, singing, drawing, painting and so much more. The Arts offer children whole body experiences enabling them to share their unique self.
Topic: 3 hours Curriculum
Date: Wednesday, February 22
Time: 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Cost: $10.00; Must pre-register
Supporting STEM Through Play
Participants will learn how to support STEM learning by creating environments that provide opportunities for children to explore, create, and question during play. Participants will learn developmentally appropriate STEM learning activities.
Topic: 2 hours Curriculum
Date: Saturday, February 25
Time: 9:00 am-11:00 pm
Cost: $10.00; Must pre-register
Zoom In Spaces
“Zoom In” are spaces where you can connect with BCCCRC staff and the childcare community in Baltimore City. During these informal sessions you can ask questions, listen to what others share, and learn about a variety of topics related to childcare.
During “Zoom In” Child Development Associate (CDA) sessions you will join a cohort of family childcare providers who want to learn more about the process of earning their CDA’s.
When: Monthly
Time: 6:30-7:30
Preregistration is required.
For more information contact: Jennifer Lentz at jlentz@familytreemd.org
During “Zoom In” Family Childcare Accreditation Support Group sessions you learn about the process of becoming a nationally recognized family childcare program of excellence through NAFCC’s Accreditation Program.
When: Monthly
Time: 6:30-7:30
For more information contact Sue Penix at spenix@familytreemd.org
During “Zoom In” Infant & Toddler Advisory Committee sessions you will learn more about caring for infants and toddlers, curriculum ideas, and resources to share with new parents.
When: Monthly
Time: 11:30-12:30
For more information contact Sue Penix at spenix@familytreemd.org
During “Zoom In” Childcare Provider Virtual Support Group sessions you will be given space to
share personal experiences, offer one another emotional and moral support, and discuss a range of topics with the BCCCRC Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants.
When: 3rd Tuesday of each month
Time: 12:30-1:30
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86487817720
Zoom Meeting ID: 864 8781 7720
Preregistration is not required.
For more information contact: Suzanne Funk sfunk@familytreemd.org or Tova Hoicowitz thoicowitz@familytreemd.org
During “Zoom In” STEAM in a Backpack sessions you will join a community of learners in a discussion group where all things science, technology, engineering, art, and math are shared with an emphasis on the incorporating the natural sciences in fun and exciting ways into your program.
When: Monthly
Time: 6:30-7:30
For more information contact Sue Penix at spenix@familytreemd.org
During “Zoom In” Credentialing Support Group sessions you will have the opportunity to learn about the credential and receive assistance going through the initial credentialing process or renewing your credential.
When: Monthly
Time: 6:30-7:30
For more information contact Sue Penix at spenix@familytreemd.org
Find a BCCCRC Group on Facebook
Supporting Infants and Toddlers in Child Care – This group is a place for providers, parents and those working with infants and toddlers to share curriculum ideas and seek help with issues related to infants and toddlers. To find the group simply type Supporting Infants and Toddlers in Child Care in the in search box on Facebook. For more information contact Sue Penix at spenix@familytreemd.org
Free Swap Child Care Baltimore, Baltimore & Carroll Counties – This is a group where providers list FREE items related to caring for children that they no longer need but are still in good working order for others who may have a need for them in their program. Items being offered include art and crafts supplies, children’s books, resource books, toys, and furniture for childcare programs. Everything on the site is free. Exchanges are arranged between the two providers for pickup or delivery. To find the group simply type Free Swap Child Care Baltimore, Baltimore & Carroll Counties search box on Facebook. For more information contact Sue Penix at spenix@familytreemd.org
Baltimore City Child Care Resource Center-The official Facebook site for the Baltimore City Child Care Resource Center. To find the group simply type Baltimore City Child Care Resource Center in the search box on Facebook.
BCCCRC Programs
Maryland Child Care Resource Network Complaint Policy
Every member agency of the Maryland Child Care Resource Network strives to provide high quality service to the child care programs and families in their jurisdiction and throughout Maryland. It is our mission to ensure that every interaction with staff at the Child Care Resource Centers is positive and professional.
If you have concerns about an incident or some aspect of service at a Child Care Resource Center, please contact the director/manager directly. Contact information for these individuals can be found here:
https://marylandfamilynetwork.org/for-providers/find- your-child-care-resource-center.
If you are not satisfied with the way your concern is handled by the director/manager at the Child Care Resource Center, please contact Maryland Family Network at 410-659-7701 or at MCCRNinfo@marylandfamilynetwork.org. As the Statewide Coordinating Entity of the Maryland Child Care Resource Network, MFN will investigate the complaint or concern regarding services and take appropriate action.
Training & Technical Assistance for Providers
BCCCRC provides technical assistance and high quality training on a wide variety of topics to assist early care and education providers and others in expanding their knowledge of child development and best practices for caring for young children. The Training Department offers 2-hour to 6-hour workshops, series trainings, and pre-service certificate trainings all of which meet the Office of Child Care’s regulation requirements as well as Core of Knowledge for the Maryland Child Care Credential.
Technical assistance, information, and expert advice are provided to current and prospective child care providers in both family and center based programs.
Early Intervention Project
Providing social/emotional support to Baltimore City pre-school children in child care settings. If you are concerned about your young child’s development, behavior, interaction with peers, or If your child has experienced difficulties in a group setting, the Early Intervention Project can help with free on-site consultation and support for young children in child care or nursery school settings.
Resources For Families & Parents
LOCATE Child Care
Selecting child care is an important decision for you and your child. The quality of care, cost and convenience of location will have a big impact on your lives. LOCATE: Child Care is a free phone service that can help you find child care that fills your needs. LOCATE can also help you find Head Start and Early Head Start programs, private nursery school and kindergarten programs, public pre-k programs, school age programs and summer camps.
LOCATE: Child Care Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Call LOCATE: Child Care at 1-877-261-0060
If you would like to save time and complete the intake form prior to talking with a LOCATE counselor, submit the Parent Intake Form online.
If at any time during your child care search or after making child care arrangements, you should have concerns regarding your child’s care, you can always call LOCATE: Child Care and speak with a referral counselor. If your concern is based on a regulatory issue, you can call the Office of Child Care at 410-554-8300 and describe your complaint to a licensing specialist or a LOCATE counselor can take the complaint and forward it to the Office of Child Care for you. For more information please review the LOCATE: Child Care Complaint Policy.
Special Needs Services
Do you have a child with a special need? Do you need child care?
LOCATE: Child Care can help you find care that meets your child’s needs!
Archived Newsletters
More Resources for Providers
Online Trainings
Great news….the 90-Hour Pre-service Training (Preschool) is now available through the eLearning platform. Go to the ONLINE CHILD CARE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION CENTER for registration information and to see all the available high quality eLearning options available.
If you purchased elearning prior to December 7, 2021, you may continue to access those materials here. It is recommended that you complete all purchased training by June 30, 2022, prior to this website being deactivated. Should you have any questions, please contact Maryland Family Network at MCCRNinfo@marylandfamilynetwork.org.
LOCATE for Providers
LOCATE: Child Care is one (but not the only) tool that providers can use to market their programs. Program records that are complete and accurate help counselors serve the needs of parents best and help us to refer your program to parents looking for services you provide.
CDA Grant Program
Maryland Family Network, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), and the Council for Professional Recognition are partnering to provide thousands of Maryland’s early childhood educators with financial support to help them earn the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. These financial awards will cover registration and other fees as well as books required for the program. By earning their CDA, Maryland’s child care professionals will expand their career options and have greater knowledge with which to serve young children across our state.
Maryland Family Network’s LOCATE: Child Care is a comprehensive directory of child care offerings throughout the state. Because parents regularly visit this site to make informed decisions about child care, it is critically important that information be accurate and updated. The more complete your listing is, the better MFN can help parents find and choose your child care program.
Please review and, if necessary, update your record today.
Click to update your Child Care Provider Record
Helpful Links From MSDE
Other Important Data, Tools, and Resources
About BCCCRC
MISSION
BCCCRC helps parents who are looking for child care, provides training and technical assistance for child care professionals, and assists employers interested in helping their employees to balance work and family life. BCCCRC is Quality Assured by Child Care Aware America.
STAFF
Administration
- Tracy Harris, Director
- Jennell Bailey, Administrative Assistant
- Jennifer Lentz, Program Manager
Training and Technical Assistance
- Sue Penix, Infant Toddler Coach
- Brandi Walker, Early Childhood Coach, TA Family Child Care
- Chaquana Truitt, Early Childhood Coach, TA Center-based Programs
- Courtney Ross, Technical Assistance Specialist for Growing Opportunities in Family Child Care
- LaTonya Anderson, Family Resource Specialist
- Nicole Zuniga, Technical Assistance Specialist for Growing Opportunities in Family Child Care
- Nea Williams, Family Resource Specialist
- Michelle Giove, Early Childhood Business Coach
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
- Suzanne Funk, Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant
- Tova Hoicowitz, Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant
- Kelly Darcey, Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant
- Chakyra Whittington, Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant
Hours:
Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address:
The Family Tree
2108 N Charles St.
Baltimore, Maryland 21218
Contact Us:
Phone: 410-889-2300
Fax: 410-637-8385
Email: childcare@bcccrc.org
The Baltimore City Child Care Resource Center is a member of the Maryland Child Care Resource Network with funding provided from the Maryland State Department of Education, through Maryland Family Network.