Better Kid Care Learn-At-Home Resources

Better Kid Care Information Kit
Penn State BKC Distance Education (Learn-At-Home) Training Videos
Theme Kits
County Resource Library
Telephone Help Line
Child Care Posters
Resources for Parents

Better Kid Care Information Kit

Child care providers can receive a free educational information kit in the mail by calling toll-free
(1-800-859-8340). The Better Kid Care office will send you "101 Plus Ways to Keep Kids Busy" booklet, "101 Plus Ways to Care for Kids" booklet, and 6 free issues of the "Caring for Kids" newsletter.

Penn State BKC Distance Learning (Learn-At-Home) Training Videos

Child care providers can earn 2 DPW training credits at home by going to www.betterkidcare.psu.edu or by ordering toll-free (1-800-859-8340) any of the learn-at-home training videos.

A workbook will be sent with each video for caregivers to complete and return as part of their training hour requirement.

Theme Kits

The Lancaster County Cooperative Extension office currently has seven Theme Kits available for loan by county child care providers. Each kit contains numerous fun and educational items related to a particular theme. Themes include:

• Caterpillars & Butterflies
• Insects
• Multicultural Children
• Dinosaurs
• Under The Sea
• Music
• Foods

To request to borrow a kit, contact the Cooperative Extension office in advance at 394-6851. Kits may be borrowed for a period of up to 3 weeks.

Kits are to be picked up and returned at the Cooperative Extension office located at the Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Rd. (off of Manheim Pike) in Lancaster, Room 140.

Before checking out a theme kit, please read the Theme Kit Policies.

County Resource Library

The county resource library includes a collection of over 100 books and videos for child care providers to check out and use free-of-charge. Sample book titles include:

• The Basic Guide to Family Child Care Record Keeping
• Child's Play: 200 Instant Crafts and Activities for Preschoolers
• Games to Play with Babies
• Including Children with Special Needs in Early Childhood Programs
• The Multicultural Caterrpillar: Children's Activities in Cultural Awareness

Books may be reserved for a period of 3 weeks and can be picked up at the Cooperative
Extension office. A complete listing of books is available by calling the office at 717-394-6851.

Telephone Help Line

Caregivers in need of assistance with a child care concern can contact the toll-free Better Kid Care Help Line at (1-800-859-8340) to talk with a professional Better Kid Care staff member. Calls are confidential and provide caregivers with new directions for handling difficult problems.

Resources for Parents

A variety of parenting publications are available from the Cooperative Extension office for caregivers to give to parents of children in their care. If you are interested in receiving copies of any of these publications to distribute to parents of children in your care, please contact the Cooperative Extension office at 394-6851.

	Family Time Four age-graded workbooks (winter, spring, summer, fall) for parents of children ages 2-3, 4-6, and 7-8. Full of fun ideas for seasonal family activities, crafts, recipes and more.
	Toddler Topics Series of 6 newsletters covering issues for parents of toddlers (ages 18 mos.-3 yrs.). Includes health and safety features, food ideas, family time activities and parenting tips. Excellent newsletter to distribute to parents of young children.
	Tween Topics A publication to help parents of adolescent children ages 10-15. Contains information about health and nutrition, guidance, school issues, communication, and more.
	Kids In Control A booklet for parents, teachers, & others that reach youth who may be home alone. Teaches youth safety at home, handling emergencies, dealing with boredome & loneliness, making safe decisions & feeling in CONTROL!
	Making Youth Sports a Positive Experience Two booklets (one for parents and one for coaches) that share benefits of sports for children when parents / coaches practice positive strategies for youth involvement.
	Today's Working Parent Twelve newsletters for parents who balance work and family responsibilities. Includes information about child care, quick meal preparation, time management, money matters and ideas for quality family time activities.