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COACHING BASICS
We like to say we carry in hope. Our coaches are experienced specialists who work alongside you to affirm the good and acknowledge what’s hard so you can keep going, doing what you do best: nurturing the hearts and minds of young children.
Coaching is for any licensed child care provider. We work with center-based and family child care providers.
This is a happy answer: coaching is FREE. The Minnesota Department of Human Services funds our coaching support.
Our coaches meet with you both in your setting and virtually. We also communicate by email and phone.
Typically, coaches plan to meet with you once a month in person and once weekly via email or phone. Coaches work with you to find a schedule that works.
The length of time varies, but generally, you can expect three to five months of direct coaching. However, you have long-term access to your coach!
Our coaches love children and the people who nurture them. We have coaches all over Minnesota, many of whom have been teachers and providers. They have unique and varied expertise in early childhood education and are passionate about working alongside providers to offer support and practical help. Our coaches understand the culture of child care.
Coaching is individualized because every child care provider is unique. We offer a wide range of assistance and cover a variety of topics. We are here to help you problem-solve and equip you with strategies, tools, and techniques. You might experience situations that challenge you, feel overwhelmed with implementing policies and regulations, or want fresh ideas for your environment or routines. We are here for all of that and more.
Coaching is a great opportunity for you to feel affirmed. Our coaches help you grow and learn as an educator. Coaching takes an uncertain teacher and infuses them with confidence. Coaching takes a great teacher and makes them even better. You might have a specific problem or issue you’d like help tackling. Or, you might want some new ideas for your classroom. However big or small your issue, we are here for you.
Our work focuses on supporting licensed child care providers. We serve children alongside their caregivers, not apart from them.
Our coaches offer expertise for children from birth to age five.
GETTING STARTED
We want it to be simple.
Call us at 651-641-8339 or email us at info@inclusivechildcare.org. We will schedule an intake conversation, which will help us match you with the right coach to meet your needs.
When you reach out, we know you want help, and we aim to help you quickly. We typically connect you with a coach within a week of completing the intake process. If there is a waitlist, we will provide help over the phone.
We need to be invited by the provider. To get things started, have them contact us at 651-641-8339 or email us at info@inclusivechildcare.org
Coaches adapt their approach to each participant’s needs. We are here to support you. We start with observation and offer hands-on support and modeling. We partner with you to create an action plan for our coaching relationship. We listen and provide encouraging, nonjudgmental feedback.
We collaborate with you, listen to you, observe your setting, and look for your strengths. We are an encouraging and non-judgmental partner.
No, you do not. However, we highly recommend Parent Aware, as there are so many benefits to showcasing your quality. Here is a link if you’re interested!
MORE PROVIDER QUESTIONS
Yes! There is direct help for you at Ask an Expert.
We have an incredible program for you! The Early Childhood Leadership Development coaching model is for center-based leaders.
We can! We equip providers to care for children with diagnosed special needs, brainstorm solutions for positive behavior guidance, and offer practical solutions to environmental challenges.
Yes, we love to work with programs nearing licensure. Please reach out!
You can! Coaching participants will receive professional development credit through Develop.
We also offer self-paced self-study courses that earn 10 hours on your learning record. Here is a link to that section of our website.
Yes, we can. The coaching relationship will focus on the expectations of your conditional license. Call us at 651-641-8339 or email us at info@inclusivechildcare.org to learn more
Our website has a huge library of information at your fingertips. It's full of great ideas, from courses to tip sheets, podcast episodes to website links—we have you covered!
No, we do not. You can contact Help Me Grow for more information about screening and evaluation.
We do! We’d love to have you listen to Inclusion Matters. You can find us on Spotify, Overcast, and Podchaser.
INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES
We can, and we’d love to! Your child’s child care setting needs to invite us in. We can talk with you about ways to approach that connection.
We work with child care providers who care for children ages birth to five.
We are here to help children by supporting their caregivers. We do not coach children separately from providers. Please contact us to learn more.
Our website has a wonderful resource section for Parents, Grandparents, and Caregivers. It contains a wealth of information and links to organizations that focus on working directly with parents and guardians. We made it for you!
We also have direct help via Ask an Expert. We will respond to you individually about your questions or concerns.
Minnesota’s quality rating system, Parent Aware, helps families find child care. Visit their website to learn more.
No, we do not. You can contact Help Me Grow for more information about screening and evaluation. Help Me Connect is another resource that highlights services in Minnesota.
Here is a podcast about Help Me Connect that you might find helpful.