Johnstown, PA (Oct. 11, 2022) – Child care programs across Pennsylvania are facing staff shortages which leave them scrambling to meet the needs of children. When centers are understaffed, teachers have little time to plan. This has a ripple effect in classrooms. When children are less engaged, behavior problems surge and children lose out on quality learning experiences.
Best Day Ever! aims to help child care and before/after school staff make the most of after school hours through easy-to-use, standards-aligned lesson plans. The plans are written by certified teachers and created with affordability in mind. Available at NO COST this fall, they offer a turnkey solution for school-age programs for after school hours and days when children are off from school. Whether it’s a teacher in-service, scheduled holiday, or surprise snow day, the plans help teachers fill the day with fun, easy activities that reinforce learning.
Six full-day Kids’ Day Out plans are built around high-interest themes. They include a daily schedule and lots of hands-on activities using many items teachers already have in their supply closets. Ten free after school lesson plans are also available. These single-activity lessons are perfect for after school programs.
Lessons were written and tested by The Learning Lamp, a leading provider of out-of-school time learning in west central Pennsylvania. The Learning Lamp will offer 16 Best Day Ever! units for FREE through December 2022. Here are some examples of lessons available:
Up, Up and Away
Passport to Fun
Rainforest Adventure
Planet Protectors
To access the free plans, register at https://thelearninglamp.org/shared-services-child-care-providers/best-day-ever/. Each themed unit features high-interest topics, engaging hands-on activities, and opportunities for children to practice concepts in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). All lessons are aligned with PA learning standards and can be adapted to meet the needs and interests of individual students.
Development of Best Day Ever! was funded, in part, by Community Foundation for the Alleghenies and in partnership with the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Professional Development Organization (PDO) at the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). In exchange for free access to Best Day Ever!, The Learning Lamp invites organizations to offer feedback through a survey for each lesson they use. When a survey is completed, the user will be automatically be entered into a drawing for two $100 Amazon gift cards, which will take place in January 2023.
The Learning Lamp is a nonprofit organization with a mission to engage all children in the support they need to succeed. We deliver high quality programs that are affordable and accessible to families of all income levels. In 2021, The Learning Lamp served 28,160 youth/adults from 51 school districts and 69 other schools and organizations in 19 Pennsylvania counties. Our programs include: child care and preschool, after school programs, tutoring, SAT prep, online learning, credit recovery, alternative education and specialized classrooms for at-risk students, trauma support groups for children/families, temporary staffing, and grant writing and project consulting for schools.
@thelearninglamp:Ready to make a positive impact in the classroom? Ignite Education Solutions is hiring a part-time Substitute Personal Care Aide to work in the Greater Johnstown Area School District. Benefits include training and development opportunities and more! When school is off, you're off! Candidates must have a high school diploma and the ability to pass clearances. Apply online today at http://tiny.cc/4v3avz
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