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Explore Solutions by ELSSA

We understand the incredible work early learning professionals do. The Early Learning Shared Services Alliance (ELSSA) offers solutions specifically designed to support you as a leader of an early childhood program. We'll be there to guide you in developing leadership skills, provide certification opportunities and ongoing trainings for your teachers, and help you raise the quality of your child development center. 

Ultimately, through our network, we're all working together to create the best possible learning environment for every child in San Antonio.

COACHING
Leadership Development

Looking to take your early childhood center to the next level? Our one-on-one coaching for directors connects you with a dedicated professional learning specialist to guide you on your journey.

Every coach brings a friendly and supportive approach. Using the Whole Leadership Framework, which is designed specifically for organizational leadership in early care and education settings, director coaches provide collaborative goal setting, action planning, and develop personalized professional learning plans designed for you to enhance your administrative, pedagogical, and essential leadership skills.

No matter your background or experience, our coaches are here to celebrate your unique strengths and guide you towards shared success. Let’s work together to create a thriving early childhood learning environment for you and your staff.

COACHING
Business Sustainability

Sustainable business practices are key to keeping your doors open and enable you to continue serving your community. Pre-K 4 SA business coaching offers expertise in financial management, helping centers develop robust budgeting plans, set appropriate tuition rates, and manage resources effectively. Our coaches help you identify areas of improvement within your organization, such as streamlining administrative processes through automation, optimizing staffing through recruitment and retention, and enhancing the overall quality of care provided. By putting these techniques into practice, you will reduce costs, improve staff productivity, and ensure a smoother, more reliable service for your children and families.

COACHING
Early Learning Educators

To fully benefit from professional learning, early educators need job-embedded supports to implement developmentally appropriate best practices. Research shows that teachers are much more likely to effectively roll out new practices when an instructional coach is there to guide them. ELSSA’s Early Learning Instructional Coaching provides this essential support. Our coaches use a hands-on approach to model effective teaching strategies and instructional techniques, demonstrating best practices and helping educators visualize and implement new methods. By engaging in open dialogue and building trusting relationships, ELSSA coaches collaborate with teachers to enhance their teaching practices, support children’s development and learning, and create optimal learning environments. Together, ELSSA coaches and center teaching staff are transforming early childhood education in San Antonio! 

Texas Rising Star Certification Support

Preparing and applying for Texas Rising Star Certification can be a daunting task. With the support network and staff assistance offered through ELSSA, we will make sure you are prepared for every step of the Texas Rising Star process. We offer numerous professional development opportunities for both teachers and directors to support you throughout your Texas Rising Star journey, including: 

Continuous Quality Improvement: This series is designed for directors and prepares them on the four Texas Rising Star categories that child development centers are assessed on. 

Preparing for Quality Assessments: This session is tailored for teachers to help them understand high-quality interactions and prepare for classroom observations, a vital component of the Texas Rising Star certification process. 

We work together to go beyond the minimum licensing requirements and raise the quality of early childhood education in all Alliance centers. The ELSSA community is here for you before, during, and after your Texas Rising Star assessment to ensure that your center is ready to reach and sustain high quality.

An early learning shared services alliance workshop with child care providers seated in a circle
Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Overview 

In their first five years, children in a high-quality program are given a safe place to learn, explore their world, and build relationships. Being in this learning environment sets the foundation for them to succeed in school, work, and life.   

The Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Series is an interactive collection of sessions focusing on creating high-quality early childhood centers. The series covers developmentally appropriate practices designed to assist centers in meeting Texas Rising Star Standards at the highest level. Participants will receive director coaching to create monthly goals and support with developing a TRS portfolio. After the series, centers can confidently apply for assessment and will have a portfolio of evidence for their Texas Rising Star Certification.  

A very young child with glasses plays with play-doh at an early education center
Pre-Service Training 

Our training is designed to provide the required pre-service hours needed for new staff members. This weeklong interactive professional learning series offers invaluable information that equips your educators with the tools to be successful in any early learning classroom. We include information on minimum standards and licensing requirements. Our dedicated team of professional learning specialists provide new teachers with essential knowledge, cutting-edge research, and high-quality best practices to effectively support our youngest learners.

Credentialing

Child Development Associate (CDA) Overview

High-quality education for children begins with high-quality professional learning for teachers. Pre-K 4 SA focuses on improving quality instruction for early childhood educators by offering the Child Development Associate Credentialing (CDA) Course. This course includes information on the competency standards for obtaining the CDA credential. The program provides interactive sessions and one-on-one coaching on best practices for fostering healthy growth in young children.   

Participants:
  • Must be employed working with children of the appropriate age for the certification.   
  • Are responsible for obtaining current and valid Certificates of
  • Completion in first aid and child CPR.   
  • Live or work in San Antonio’s city limits.
  • Possess a high school diploma or GED.    
  • Within three years of submitting a CDA application, have 480 hours of experience working with children of the age related to the desired certification. 
Requirements:
  • All CDA classes include 120 hours of coursework.   
  • Attendance of all classes is required.     
  • Textbook and course materials are available for use for the duration of the course.     
Teachers for Toddlers Scholarship Program (T4T) Infant and Toddler CDA

The Teachers for Toddlers (T4T) Infant and Toddler Scholarship program is offered exclusively to our ELSSA members. Qualified participants in the Alliance receive stipends of up to $1,500 for completing the Infant and Toddler CDA credential and staying at their center and in their current teaching position for one year. The Infant and Toddler CDA course is provided for educators serving our youngest children. Fees for the course, materials, CDA test, and observation are included for Alliance members.   

Preschool Child Development Associates (CDA) Credential   

The Preschool CDA course is provided for educators serving 3- and 4-year-olds. The course offers collaboration opportunities with educators from across the city, individualized support for required writing assignments, and built-in review sessions and test preparation.  Fees for the course, materials, CDA test, and observation are included for Alliance members.    

Family Child Care Child Development Associates (CDA) Credential

The Family Child Care course is tailored for individuals providing childcare in their homes. The course offers specialized support for the unique needs of family child care providers. The course covers developmentally appropriate teaching practices for children ages birth through 5-years old. Fees for the course, materials, CDA test, and observation are included for Alliance members. 

BUSINESS
Marketing and Communications Support  

Your brand is more than just a logo. It is how you are recognized by current and potential customers as well as building trust and credibility in the early education industry. Our team will help you with building your brand influence in your community. We support you with developing and communicating your unique center story to the public. From tone and feel to analytic guided marketing decisions, our marketing specialists will enable you to take your brand to the next level. We will empower you to expand your digital footprint and give you the tools to engage in grassroots marketing that connects you with your local audience. Working together, we will ensure that your brand reflects high-quality early childhood education.

BUSINESS
Access to Child Management Software   

Efficiency is everything when operating a small business. You have limited time and resources when it comes to managing the ins and outs of your center. Child Care Management Software (CCMS) is a software application designed to help childcare providers manage their operations more efficiently. These systems help providers manage day-to-day tasks, like tracking attendance and enrollment, storing children’s files, managing billing and payments, and even scheduling staff. It can be a platform for communication with families, allowing for easy sharing of information, photos, and updates on their child’s progress. Many CCMS platforms offer reporting and analytics capabilities, enabling providers to track key performance metrics that influence their decisions and improve their business.
 
As a member of the Alliance, you will receive 2-years of Procare Online for FREE. Worried about setting up and learning how to use the system? Don’t be! Our technical assistants are available to support you in becoming a Procare pro to best serve your families and your business.  

BUSINESS
Grants & Funding

ELSSA offers opportunities for Alliance members to receive vital materials for their centers, including technology, furniture, and classroom supplies, through our grants program. We collaborate with you to identify the needs of your center and secure the resources necessary to fulfill them.

We understand that purchasing items for your center can be costly due to the small size of individual orders. By leveraging the collective purchasing power of our organization, Alliance members benefit from improved terms and bulk discounts, which help reduce costs and achieve better value from suppliers.

Additionally, ELSSA provides financial support through external funding resources. Our staff identifies and presents these opportunities to eligible providers. We assist you throughout the process of obtaining these funds as opportunities arise.

Ready to Join ELSSA?

Submit an interest form to receive more information and pursue an interest interview.

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