The core purpose of the Early Childhood Development Coalition (ECDC) is to provide opportunities for families and communities to prepare all children for success in school, thereby setting the stage for high school graduation, postsecondary education and a vibrant economy. ECDC can achieve its core purpose through the accomplishment of three interrelated goals: Goal 1: Organize a wide-scale community collaboration that includes providing much needed information and services to families of children aged 0-5 to ensure that they are prepared to enter school. Goal 2: Promote the importance of early childhood education and development throughout the community, media and through the community and state leadership. Goal 3: Partner with nationally-known, research-based programs and organizations to bring the best practices in early childhood development to our community and ensure that all children start school "ready to learn." We provide early childhood educators with a collection of resources aimed at supporting the work of professionals working with young children and their families. Our information is regularly updated and based on research and best practices. We follow the guidelines of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and are aligned with the Foundations to the Indiana Academic Standards for Young Children from Birth to Age 5. Customized trainings ECDC provides on various topics: Literacy Workshops (PDF file) Literacy Parties (PDF file) PDF of Second Step Local Conferences: In our community, there are two early childhood conferences each year. The 4C Conference is in March. For more information, email info@child-care.org or go online www.child-care.org The Evansville Area Early Childhood Association (the local affiliate to NAEYC) is in October. Other Resources: Following are some links to other websites related to the field of Early Childhood Education. These links are provided as additional resources. Born Learning http://bornlearning.org Born Learning is a public engagement campaign that helps parents, grandparents, and caregivers explore ways to turn everyday moments into fun learning opportunities. The Child Care Collection http://www.childcarecollection.com The child Care Collection consists of a variety of resources for parents and professionals in the filed of early care and education. These resources include videotapes, books, newspaper articles and study guides. Early Childhood Meeting Place http://earlychildhoodmeetingplace.indiana.edu A centralized Indiana website to find news, agencies & organizations, an events calendar, professional development options, and initiatives & research briefs related to various aspects of the early childhood field to keep people informed about the current events in Indiana's early childhood communities. Evansville Public Library http://www.evpl.org Central Library, located in downtown Evansville, has a large selection of education journals and other educational materials in the Educational Materials Center thatŐs located in the READ Center. 4C of Southern Indiana, Inc. http://www.child-care.org 4C is a non-profit child care resource and referral agency serving families, children and child care providers. They offer extensive training opportunities, a mentoring program, Paths to Quality information, a lending library and more. Foundations to the Indiana Academic Standards for Young Children from Birth to Age 5 http://www.doe.state.in.us/primetime/pdf/foundations/indiana_foundations.pdf The Foundations to the Indiana Academic Standards for Young Children from Birth to Age Five have been developed by individuals with expertise in children ages birth-5. By outlining specific skills and concepts and giving examples of instructional strategies, these foundations will support teachers, parents, and caregivers as they develop appropriate experiences for young children to help ensure success in kindergarten. Indiana Association for Child Care Resource and Referral (IACCRR) http://www.iaccrr.org/ IACCRR is a statewide organization whose mission is to work with member agencies at a local, state and national level to provide, coordinate and advocate for a strong statewide system of child care resource and referral. Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children (IAEYC) http://www.iaeyc.org IAEYC is the state's largest organization of early childhood care and education professionals and parents promoting and supporting quality care and education for all young children, birth through age eight. National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) http://www.naeyc.org NAEYC exists for the purpose of leading and consolidating the efforts of individuals and groups working to achieve healthy development and constructive education for all young children. National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) http://www.nafcc.org NAFCC is dedicated to strengthening the profession of family child care by promoting high quality early care and education where providers live and work. Zero To Three http://www.zerotothree.org Zero to Three is a national nonprofit organization that informs, trains and supports professionals, policy makers and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers.