Attend GSA's 14th Annual Child Care Conference

Posted June 2, 2003

GSA’s Public Buildings Service (PBS) is hosting the annual child care conference in Denver, Colorado, from July 22 - 24, 2003. The theme this year is “Defining Quality in the Mile-High City.” It signifies the ongoing commitment to provide safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate child care programs for the federal families and communities served.

As the demand for quality child care for working families increases, the need for the professional development of staff, creative and flexible programs, and secure, nurturing environments is more important than ever before. Throughout this year’s conference, industry experts like Ellen Galinsky, President, Family and Work Institute, government professionals like Kevin Kelly, GSA Architect, and child care advocates like Madelyn Swift, President, Child right, will offer insights and ideas on working together and developing solutions to enhance GSA’s program.

The GSA child care system includes more than 110 centers, with 86 percent professionally
accredited by the National Academy for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). During this conference, centers that have achieved accreditation or re-accreditation since the last conference will be recognized at a luncheon. Stephen Perry, GSA’s administrator, and Denise Scott, senior director of the NAEYC Academy for Early Childhood Program Accreditation, will present the awards.

Joseph Moravec, GSA’s commissioner of PBS, will give out Cornerstone Awards to associates in GSA’s child care network. Without the dedication and commitment of child care staff, GSA would not be able to provide quality, on-site child care to federal families.

Conference attendees come from diverse backgrounds:
· teachers and center directors
· board members
· building managers and agency leaders
However, each participant will leave the conference with an improved understanding of child care operations in GSA managed space.

From the start, GSA’s child care conferences have encouraged new and successful practices, built on past training, and addressed questions and issues important to participants. With its informative sessions, this conference will be a testimony to the high quality of GSA’s child care centers and the program’s growth.

Registration is available online. For more information, please contact Sue Dixon at (202) 501-0287, or Nancy Norris at (404) 331-1851 in the Office of Child Care.

The registration link is: www.cmpinc.net/childcare.