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Community Conversations

Join us as we connect with organizations across Hendricks County to explore opportunities for child care and parenting supports!

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Hendricks County Community Foundation

CCA's Work in Hendricks County

We continue our community conversations with Eric Hessel from Hendricks County Community Foundation. Listen to Mollie and Eric discuss child care in Hendricks County, how Hendricks County residents valued its importance in last year’s needs assessment, and how we are working together to support the community.

katy from parks foundation of hendricks county
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Parks Foundation of Hendricks County: Finding and Choosing Summer Care
Megan from Brownsburg Parks
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BASE: Securing Before and Afterschool Care
Coming soon
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Hendricks College Network: Workforce Summit
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Phone: 317.636.5727 Toll Free: 800.272.2937
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Indianapolis, IN 46202

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Last Day Q&A: Grace Sededji
As CCA’s first contact for families and child care professionals, CCR&R specialist Grace Sededji‘s name might be familiar to many of you. But, did you know that she was a toddler teacher and is a mom? Learn more below! What was your favorite activity to do with your kids in the classroom? When I worked […]
Grace Sededji and her family
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Finding Your Calm in the Child Care Classroom
If you are a child care professional, you definitely know how hard it can be to maintain composure both inside and outside of the classroom. To help you find your calm, we hope you’ve heard about SPARK Learning Lab’s partnership with the Calm App. By filling out a short form, you can get access to […]
preschoolers napping on cots
Resource
Community Conversations
Join us as we connect with organizations across Hendricks County to explore opportunities for child care and parenting supports!
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Last Day Q&A: Lane Heaney
Office manager and HR generalist Lane Heaney keeps CCA humming as an organization, but did you know that her roots run deep in caring for children as well? Read below to learn more! What was your favorite activity to do with your kids in the classroom? I have always been an advocate of early literacy […]
lane heaney with toddler playing connect four
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Child Care through the Lens of our State Partner
The Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) is a critical partner for Child Care Answers’ work. We’re thrilled this month to welcome Beth Steward, child care quality specialist at OECOSL. Read below to learn more about her experience and how the State is shaping child care. What is your early childhood education background? […]
staff from the Indiana Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning
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Community Help Guide
Community Help Guide Each Indiana community is unique in its needs and opportunities. Child Care Answers is here to support you as a resident, leader, employee, or supporter of child care in Hamilton, Hendricks, or Marion Counties with community resources for child care. One common thread runs throughout all of Indiana – affordable, high-quality early […]
children being read a book by a teacher
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Last Day Q&A: Megan Day
Bilingual family and community engagement specialist, Megan Day, connects with so many people in central Indiana. Families, especially those whose first language is not English, and community partners know her well. Now it’s your chance to get to know her even better! As a former high school teacher, what relationships have you seen between early […]
Megan Day reading a book to children
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What to Look for in a Family Child Care Home
Different families have different desires and needs for their child care programs. In Indiana, you can find safe, high-quality programs in homes, centers, schools, and faith-based early learning settings. Families may find personal pros and cons for each setting; however, understanding how to identify quality and knowing program safety requirements will help you make the […]
Program engagement specialist Michelle Terry discussing with a family child care home owner
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Last Day Q&A: Jessica Carman
CCA’s newest staff member, community engagement specialist Jessica Carman, joined us in the fall. We’re thrilled to have her on the team and to be able to share a little bit more about her below! What was your favorite activity to do with your preschool students when you were in the classroom? My favorite activity […]
Jessica Carman listening to child care providers
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How to Find a Quality Summer Program
If you are looking for a sign to start your search for summer care, here it is! At Child Care Answers, we have been busy finding ways to support you. Last year, we shared four tips for finding a quality summer program, and they certainly still hold true. This year, we partnered with the Indiana […]
children gathered around camp counselors getting ready for tug of war
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Last Day Q&A: Jamie Le Sesne Spears
Family engagment specialist Jamie Le Sesne Spears offers a diverse set of experiences as a mom of a toddler and former preschool teacher. Read below to learn more about her! What was your favorite activity to do with your kids in the classroom? Any activity that involved the creative process! My sweet spot was mixing […]
Jamie Le Sesne Spears and her toddler
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Culturally-Inclusive Conversations: “Ask Questions, and Be Curious.”
The family is a child’s introduction to the world. A child’s identity is grounded by their culture and heritage. For families, there is pride and honor in sharing your culture with your child. As they step out of the home and into new environments, like child care, holding onto a family’s culture can become complicated. […]
Sitou in African attire holding his parents' hands
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Last Day Q&A: Tom Taylor
Just as family and community engagement manager Tom Taylor‘s work at CCA covers a diverse group of audiences and experiences, his other “job” as dad also has a lot of variety. As dad to a newborn, an eight-year-old, and a teenager, he’s got all his bases covered! What did you like most about your kids’ […]
tom taylor and his family
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Happy Holidays?
Oftentimes, we have high hopes for the holidays. We want to go to all places and do all the things. Just imagine it now – Mariah Carey setting the tone as you are sipping cocoa by the fire, and your little ones are quietly crafting at the table. It will be cozy, magical, and perfect, […]
mother and son in front of a christmas tree looking glum
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Last Day Q&A: India Green
Coming from a family of educators, relationship growth specialist India Green knew early on that she would carve a different path to improving the lives of children, outside of the classroom. One of those ways is in her relationship with one child in particular – her young son Mason. Get to know more about her […]
India Green on the beach with her son Mason
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Holiday Gift Guide 2022
If you are anything like me, knowing what to get my kids for the holidays is a balancing act between the “latest and greatest” and toys that will spark my children’s interest, support their imagination, and won’t be broken in a week!  Below are some ideas for choosing toys that will grow with your child, […]
family shopping at the mall during the holidays
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Last Day Q&A: Kristin Kahl
While knowledge manager Kristin Kahl has spent more time behind a computer screen than in a classroom, she has learned so much from her vocation as a mom and from her time at Child Care Answers. Learn more about her below! What did you like most about your kids’ child care experiences? I actually loved […]
Kristin Kahl with her sons at the Van Gogh exhibit at Newfields
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Earning a Child Care License: How One Provider Got There
Program engagement specialist Michelle Terry recently caught up with Indianapolis’ newest family child care home owner, Yasmine Caruthers, the week before she received her child care license. Child Care Answers supported Safe Haven Learning Academy through the journey to become licensed, including completing a mock inspection the day of this interview. Thanks to Yasmine for […]
yasmine carruthers in her family child care home
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Early Childhood Mental Health
Your guide to early childhood mental health resources in Hamilton County, Indiana Here at Child Care Answers, in partnership with A Healthier Hamilton County: Systems of Care, we work to ensure all families and child care professionals in central Indiana have the necessary resources to access and navigate behavioral and mental health services. Included in […]
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Last Day Q&A: Lauren George
Family support specialist Lauren George brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as a former infant teacher, Certified Lactation Consultant, and mom of two young children. Learn more about her experiences below! What was your favorite activity to do with your kids in the classroom? Every Friday we had cleaning parties. Each child would […]
lauren george
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Last Day Q&A: Michelle Terry
As a former preschool teacher and current aunt to school-agers, program engagement specialist Michelle Terry has a lot of stories up her sleeve. Read more to get to know her a bit better. What was your favorite activity to do with your kids when you were in the classroom? During circle time, I enjoyed teaching […]
michelle terry
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Process Art Tips and Tricks from a Former Teacher
I have always found a purpose in art. The creative process provides me with time to think and space to express my feelings; but it wasn’t always that way! Being a bit of a perfectionist, it was hard to let go of the “cookie-cutter” crafts. I wanted so badly to be good at art that […]
process art
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Last Day Q&A: Lucy Intriago
Bilingual provider engagement specialist, Lucy Intriago, is next up in our revamped Last Day Q&A series. Read below to learn about her experiences as both an early childhood professional and a mom of two! What was your favorite activity to do with your kids in the classroom? My favorite activity was to do choreography to […]
lucy intriago
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We are all immigrants - learning about ourselves and our neighbors
The United States is truly a melting pot. Central Indiana is becoming more diverse each year, bringing richness of experience and culture to our lives. As we celebrate National Immigrant Heritage Month this June, what does it mean for you and your family? What can we learn about our own immigrant heritage? What can we […]
immigrant kids
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Celebrating Pride Together
Pride is a time of celebration and an opportunity to increase awareness of LGBTQIA+ identity and community. It is important to take moments throughout the month to celebrate diversity together. For young children, this may look like conversations about similarities and differences or simply making observations about their own self. Regardless, we encourage you to […]
pride
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Last Day Q&A: Mollie Smith
We’re switching up our Last Day Q&A feature to focus on why you’re here – early childhood education and parenting. First up is our executive director, Mollie Smith, who so gracefully continues to move us forward in our mission. What was your favorite activity to do with your kids in the classroom? My favorite activity […]
mollie be my neighbor
Resource
Field Trip Planning and Safety
Plan ahead for a safe and fun field trip with your little ones Field trips are a great way to empower children and bring classroom lessons to life. They expose children to sights and sounds they may not otherwise get to experience and can provide opportunities for educators like you to introduce new concepts. They […]
field trip
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Road trip! Tips for Vacations with Children
“Are we there yet?” is the phrase I hear over and over in the car – even for a quick five minute drive. So, call me surprised when I hardly heard this during our 11 hour drive to and from the beach for spring break. My kids are four and eight, and this is only […]
beach boy
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Family Fun
Central Indiana Family Fun Guide Central Indiana has a lot to offer families, including museums, parks, events, and more. Whether you are looking for things to do on a rainy day or planning an action-packed staycation, we have outlined some of the great things our city (and state) has to offer. Included in this guide: […]
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Last Day Q&A: Grace Sededji
Our newest team member, child care resource and referral specialist Grace Sededji, has been a wonderful addition to the team in her support of families and child care programs. Learn more about her below! What three traits define you? Simple, caring, persistent What is your personal philosophy? Keep life simple, and take it one day […]
grace and son