Bridging the Gap in Quality Child Care

2025 VAFCCA Conference

Saturday, October 11, 2025

8:00am-4:30pm

​Weinstein Jewish Community Center

5403 Monument Avenue
Richmond, VA 23226

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​​​Join us for an inspiring day designed specifically for Child Care Providers who are committed to advancing

excellence in early childhood education and care. This comprehensive conference brings

together dedicated child care professionals to share knowledge, explore innovative approaches,

and build meaningful connections within our close-knit community.

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​Session Information

 session 1

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• Contracts and Policies: What's the Difference?, Misty Jewell, Piedmont Regional Manger for Child Care Aware of VA

  • Understanding the difference between contracts and policies is essential for operating a successful family day home. This workshop will guide childcare providers through the distinct purposes and legal implications of contracts versus policies. Participants will learn how contracts protect business agreements with families, while policies outline daily operational procedures and expectations. Through real-life examples and practical tips, attendees will gain clarity on how to effectively write, communicate, and enforce both documents. Whether you're revising your existing materials or creating them for the first time, this session will equip you with the knowledge to build trust and protect your business. 

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  • Health and Nutrition in the CACFP, Cindy Brady & Cynthia Kelley, ChildSavers

  • This presentation is focused on creating healthy menus choices for providers. We will focus on thinking outside the box, such as serving more than crackers and juice for snacks and incorporating power proteins. We will address making budget friendly choices and making meals fun and engaging for the children.  

•  Strengthening Early Literacy Through VALLSS and CLASS, Dorothy Billups, Thrive Birth to Five - Ready Region Central                                                                                                                                                      

  • Participants will identify the connections between the VALLSS (Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System) assessment and CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System) tool. Participants will bridge assessment components with instructional strategies to enhance children's early literacy skills. Participants will review mock VALLSS data and participate in planning CLASS aligned instructional strategies for targeted support.  ​

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• session 2

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• • Fun & Easy Transitions All Day!    Sharon Howell , Child Care Aware

  • Say goodbye to chaos and hello to smooth, happy transitions! In this upbeat workshop, you’ll discover quick tips, songs, and simple tricks to help children move from one activity to the next with ease. Walk away with fresh ideas to keep your day (and your group!) flowing and fun.

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• Ready, Set, LAUNCH: A Virginia Quality Childhood Development Home, Nicole Ahmad, U-LAUNCH

  • This session will provide participants with foundational information on trauma (impact on the developing brain), how responses to triggers due to trauma differ and how to support behaviors through the lens of being trauma-responsive in early childhood programs. 

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• session 3

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• Foundations in Infant Mental Health & Early Childhood Trauma, Amy Murrah, Authorized Trainer in Trauma-Responsive and Resilience Building in Early Childhood

  • This session will provide participants with a greater understanding and increased knowledge of how the developing brain is impacted by trauma in the early years. Additionally, participants will be able to define the “window of tolerance” for learning, Infant Mental Health and trauma. Participants will learn the difference between being Trauma Informed versus Trauma Responsive.  ​     

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​       Time Management Strategies, Misty Jewell, Piedmont Regional Manager for Child Care Aware of VA

• • Learn how to develop a personalized daily schedule. Participants will be able to create and implement a realistic daily schedule that balances child supervision, administrative tasks, and personal time. Identify and prioritize key responsibilities. 
    Attendees will learn how to evaluate and prioritize tasks to focus on high-impact activities that support child development and business success. Apply Tools to reduce time wasters and improve efficiency family day home owners will explore and apply practical tools and techniques (e.g., checklists, time-blocking, digital planners) to minimize distractions and streamline routine operations.  ​                                                                                                                                                                                       

•  Bridging Classroom Concept to Children's Lives       Dr. Regina Washington

•  We all want to make every child’s learning experience meaningful. With a few practical strategies for connecting academic concepts to children’s everyday experiences, interests and cultural backgrounds. Designing lesson plans to go beyond a textbook and to deepen children’s understanding and engagement.

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• session 4

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• Ready or Not, It's Time for a Health and Safety Inspection, Sharon Howell, Eastern Regional Manager for Child Care Aware of Virginia​

• ​Join this engaging workshop designed to clarify the licensing and health & safety inspections for Family Day Home programs! Learn how to navigate state standards with confidence, covering the six key components of an inspection—from arrival to documentation. Discover practical strategies to ensure daily compliance, reduce stress during visits, and showcase your program’s excellence.

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• Building a Trauma Responsive Classroom in Early Childhood, Amy Murrah, Authorized Trainer in Trauma-Responsive and Resilience Building in Early Childhood

• This session will provide participants with foundational information on trauma (impact on the developing brain), how responses to triggers due to trauma differ and how to support behaviors through the lens of being trauma-responsive in early childhood programs.                                                                                                                 

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• Safe Sleep Practices, Patricia Koon, ChildSavers

  • This training session is on safe sleep practices for infants with a focus on family supports, discussing the myths vs facts about safe sleep, and developing policies to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.​

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​​​​​​​     We will also have an exclusive screening of a documentary titled "We Are Family Child Care" 

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Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your skills, connect with peers, and discover the latest innovations in quality child care.

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