Community Programs
The Community Programs Department at Prince George's Child Resource Center supports families and children through educational programs and technical assistance for the child care provider community.
For information on becoming a licensed child care provider, call Maryland State Department of Education's local Office of Child Care at 301.333.6940 or click here
Maryland State Department of Education accredited core of knowledge training is offered to the child care community to meet start up and licensing renewal requirements. Wide choices of workshops in child development, curriculum, health, safety and nutrition, community, special needs and professionalism are available in our training calendar. Online registration.
The 90-clock hour class for Maryland providers is offered in an accelerated schedule. This class prepares child care professionals for advancement in the field. Call for more information. Note: The course scheduled for March 2010 has been cancelled.
On-Site Workshops: Any Resource Center training can be conducted at your site. Contact the Director of Community Programs to arrange the details.
The Resource Center offers technical assistance, mentoring and training to enhance the quality of child care in Prince George's County. This includes telephone consultations and meetings with MSDE, Office of Child Care to assist both center-based and family child care providers in resolving compliance issues. The Technical Assistance Coordinator works closely with the Early Mental Health Coordinator to provide services to caregivers experiencing behavioral issues with children in their programs and/or providers experiencing issues with caring for children with special needs. If you are interested in more information please contact Jodi Regner at 301.772.8420 ext.243 or Laura Terrell at ext. 2
Do you have a child who exhibits challenging behavior? Have you tried almost everything? STOP!!! There is HOPE. Project WIN (Wise Identification Now) Early Mental Health Consultation Project addresses the mental health needs of children age birth to five enrolled in child care programs. Project WIN is funded by the Maryland State Department of Education/Office of Child Care and partners with Bowie Therapeutic Nursery Center.
Project WIN services are FREE and include:
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telephone consultations for child care providers,
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site visits by project staff conducting observation,
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technical assistance to enhance environments,
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assessment and diagnosis (if necessary),
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referral of children to agencies as needed,
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training for parents and providers, and
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follow-up technical assistance.
If you have concerns about a child's behavior or social/emotional well-being, contact Paul Armstrong, Early Mental Health Coordinator, at 301.772.3607. With Project WIN, we all can win!
Although our Science Road Show grant has ended, we still have great science prop boxes that you can borrow. Prop boxes contain everything needed for a science unit. Current topics include birds, frogs, bugs and insects and habitats. Contact Jodi Regner at 301.772.8420, extension 243 to arrange for prop boxes.
Other Services
Reference Library: A number of periodicals, publications, and videos related to early childhood development and child care are maintained in our reference library for use by the child care community. Please call for an appointment.Fingerprinting: Certified Resource Center technicians perform fingerprinting necessary to operate or work in a licensed program in Maryland. Each person must bring in two cards furnished by the Maryland State Department of Education, Office of Child Care as well as a picture I.D. There is a fee for this service. Appointments must be made in advance by calling 301.772.8420.Resource Room: The Resource Room is part of our Training Room and may be used in the evenings when there are workshops. Arrive at least twenty minutes before scheduled workshops to browse through informational tables and displays. You will observe developmentally appropriate children's art or visuals showing activities to enhance your early childhood curriculum through the use of learning centers and a print rich environment. Informational handouts are provided to help you bring new ideas to your program.Providers may also schedule appointments during the day to use the binding machine, paper cutter, heavy duty stapler, waxer and laminating machine. Use of the equipment is at no cost; however, there is a small charge for certain supplies.Latex gloves: These gloves are mandatory for universal precautions in your child care programs. They are available in various sizes and are sold in the office during regular working hours (8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.).Job Board: Position vacancies may be posted on our job board. Send a copy of job announcements for your child care program and we will post it in our lobby.