Home & Classroom

Tune in to learn about Gardening with Bonnie in her upcoming creation station workshop, Week of the Young Child, the Child IT, the 'Breathing B', and more.  Creation Station: Gardening with Children Week of the Young Child The CHILD IT The Breathing B -- Home & Classroom is an interview-style podcast featuring child development experts and  Shorties! is a news-style podcast on what&a...

Rachel and Kate chat with Lyndon Cudlitz, consultant, educator, and trainer with over 20 years of experience in social justice facilitation and services for LGBTQIA individuals. Tune in to learn what gender expansiveness means and how your support can play a pivotal role in a child's successful development. ___ Mentioned on the show: https://lyndoncudlitz.com/ @lyndoncudlitzconsulting -- Home...

Now on Tuesdays starting March 21, 2023! Start your week with news, information, and bright ideas from your friends at Brightside Up. Expert interviews feature in-depth conversations with experts in early childhood development, family and child services, children's books and literature, gender, and more! Shorties! is a news-style episode bringing you the latest information on upcoming events,...

Rachel and Hannah chat with local freelance illustrator and graphic designer, Caroline Corrigan, about her first picture book, Women Artists A-Z , by Melanie Labarge, published in February 2020. Caroline has also worked for The Art Center of the Capital Region in Troy New York, co-founded the Albany Maker Market, The Half Moon Market,  and the Fort Orange General Store before selling the business...

Kate and our special guest, Dana Petrasovic, who is filling in for Claire , share what's happening this week with updates on the Aspire Registry, Child IT Assessment, Child Care Stabilization Grant 2.0, and some Brightsider news. The Bright Ideas in this episode includes  our new  Veggie Kids Club Apple Cheddar Quesadilla recipe. Show links: The Aspire Registry Contact Kim at - kpolstein@brig...

This week on Shorties!, Kate and Claire update you on the Epinephrine Auto Injector Initiative, Provider Job Opening Posts, and the Capital Region Career Development Center. The Bright Ideas in this episode are brought to you by Vroom and they include  their "Junior Scientist" and "Travel Talk" tip card. Show links: OCFS Dear Provider Letter Email Claire your job openings at cs...

Tune in for a very special Thanksgiving episode as the Brightside Up staff shares what they are thankful for this year.  -- -- Home & Classroom is an interview-style podcast featuring child development experts and  Shorties! is a news-style podcast on what's happening at Brightside Up.

This week on Shorties!, Kate and Claire update you all things play,  the daily Workforce Development Grant daily support meetings, and  upcoming trainings. The Bright Ideas in this episode includes  our playful "Forts, Tent Cities & Hideaways," article from our Home & Classroom Imagination issue and our new Sweet Potato And Black Bean Stew recipe tip card. Show links: 30 Days of...

This week on Shorties!, Kate and Claire update you on the Retroactive Absences Grant, NY Child Care Assistance program, and the Early Childhood Workforce Scholarship. The Bright Ideas in this episode includes  our playful "What Makes Story Stones Shine",  from our Home & Classroom Toy issue article, and our Friendship Skills tip card.  Show links: Retroactive Absence Grant email: ocf...

In this episode, Rachel and Hannah move to the movement with our own Philomina Adjei,  an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant about the importance of bringing music and movement together into the classroom. Together, the three listen to songs that not only encourage movement, but also can be used for transitional purposes throughout the day. Mentioned during the show: - Music and Movement in...

This week Kate and Claire dedicate this episode finding child care. Kate and Claire talk with our very own, Paulann Beardsley, a Family Educator about your search for child care. Show links: Find Child Care Explore your options Online child care search portal Financial Aid As You Think About Child Care Touring Tips tip card ---                                                                       ...

Kate and Claire share what's happening this week with updates on the new Mind in the Making training with Emily Vantassel, training rates, free Covid-19 test kits, and what's upcoming in the Instructional Suite. The Bright Ideas in this episode includes  our new  Lettuce and Apple Salad recipe along with our Promoting Healthy Eating tip card. Show links: Mind in the Making Trainings BSU...

In this episode, Rachel and Hannah chat with our own Raquel Saddlemire, Director of Education and Curriculum about dual language learners. Together, they dive into their experiences and discuss how young children acquire language skills and the importance of respecting the child's home language as they learn to speak two languages simultaneously.   Contact Raquel with questions at rsaddlemire...

Please enjoy this "Best Of" episode we decided to reshare in honor of National Book Month. Kaela Wallman, Coordinator of Youth Services for Schenectady County Public Library joins Hannah and Rachel to talk about the importance of early literacy, the role the library plays in literacy development, Schenectady County Public library's literacy partners, and the role parents and caregiv...

In this episode of Shorties!,  Kate & Claire share what's happening this week with updates on the Stabilization 2.0 Grant, the sandbox on our website, what's upcoming in the instructional suite, and our newest Brightsiders. The Bright Ideas in this episode include the social story, "Family Separation" read by Nora on our mental health team, and the "Worry Box" tip...

In this episode, Rachel and Hannah chat with Kim Polstein, LMSW, Director of Mental Health Services at Brightside Up about managing first time worries.  Together they all share recent experiences with first-time jitters and Kim shines some light on how to call attention to,  and care for those feelings.  Mentioned during the show: - Get your Brightside Up baby onesies! Email us at homeandclassroom...

In this episode of Shorties!,  Kate & Claire share what's happening this week with updates on  Understand Me Toolkits, Schenectady County Cares Subsidy Program, expired/used epinephrine auto-injector disposal as Brightside Up,  the B5 SUNY/CUNY Workforce Scholarships and Brightside Up babies. The Bright Ideas in this episode include the social story, "First Day of School" read b...

In this episode of Shorties!,  Kate & Claire share what's happening this week with updates on CACFP reimbursement rates, the Workforce Development Institute, the benefits of becoming a child care provider, new Brightside Up staff, and the Brightside Up's recipe video series. The Bright Ideas in this episode include the social story, "I Can Rest" ready by Philomina on our me...

We are back! In this episode of Shorties!,  Kate & Claire share what's happening this week with updates on Brightside Up's Making Connections Mini Conference, Bond With Me tool kits, Home & Classroom Magazine Vol.9 Family, Child Care Assistance,  and new Brightside Up staff. The Bright Ideas in this episode include one of our new social stories and a new tip card from the mixture...

Rachel and Kate join forces to share exciting announcements in this finale of Home & Classroom season three! Tune in to learn about the Summer Fun map filled with places to visit and play with your children; plus the announcements of this year's Dianne Meckler Scholarship and runner up recipients along with the "Nominate Someone Great" gift card winners. Mentioned in the show: B...

In this episode of Shorties!,  Kate & Claire share what's happening this week with updates on all things CDA! The Bright Ideas in this episode include our Timeless Tunes Tip Card  and the "Supporting Purposeful Play" article from our Wellness Issue of Home & Classroom magazine. Show links: CDA Timeless Tunes Supporting Purposeful Play   Contacts:  Learn More About CDA: Heath...

In this episode of Shorties!,  Kate & Claire share what's happening this week with updates on Provider Appreciation Shout Outs, the Diane Meckler Scholarship, the Workforce Development Program,  OCFS Market Rates,  Upcoming Trainings,  and Brightside Up's Warm Line. The Bright Ideas in this episode include our Freeze & Find Tip Card  and the "Your Bag Of Tricks" article...

In this episode, Rachel and Hannah chat with Sarah Gould-Houde from QUALITYstarsNY. Together the three talk about the support behind leadership and management skills that QUALITYstarsNY has to offer participating providers.  QUALITYstarsNY is the states quality rating and improvement system for early childhood education programs in New York state.  QUALITYstarsNY rates child care systems on a 1 to...

In this episode of Shorties!,  Kate & Claire share what's happening this week with updates on Provider Appreciation Shout Outs, the Diane Meckler Scholarship, the Workforce Development Program, the Invest in NY Child Care Deserts Grant, QUALITYstarsNY, new Brightside Up staff, and a Brightside up summer camp poll!  The Bright Ideas in this episode include our Summer Sports Drink recipe fo...

In this episode of Shorties!,  Kate & Claire share what's happening this week with updates on the Invest in NY Child Care Deserts Grant, the Community Loan Fund, Pyramid Model Training Opportunities, Mental Health Awareness Month, the Child IT Assessment, Child Care Administrator Community of Practice, Provider Appreciation Shout Outs, the Diane Meckler Scholarship, the Early Childhood Ca...