Pictured: (l-r) Dr. Richard Thornton, Vice President of Instruction at Swainsboro Technical College;  Commissioner Marsha Moore of Bright from the Start:  Department of Early Care and Learning, Gena Sapp, Director of the Swainsboro Technical College Child Development Center; and  Jessie Garrett, Department Chairperson for Personal Services.

On March 8, 2007, Marsha Moore, Commissioner of Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, awarded Swainsboro Technical College Child Development Center its licensure. Director Gena Sapp received the license from Commissioner Moore prior to her tour of the facility. Child care facilities in the state of Georgia are required to be licensed; however state agencies are exempt from this procedure. Nonetheless, Swainsboro Technical College, being a state agency, voluntarily completed application and the licensing process. According to Mrs. Sapp, "We felt that it was important for our students and community to know that we are following the same rules and regulations as other child care centers in the state. We believe in setting the example for those in our area."

During her visit, Commissioner Moore commended the staff members on their dedication for improving the lives of children. She also informed the Child Development Center staff members that they will now qualify for various scholarships and incentives available through different agencies. Having obtained the child care licensure has already benefited the Child Development Center as it is currently seeking accreditation from Standards of Care. Commissioner Moore was impressed with the improvements that have already been made which include additional equipment in the classrooms and the parent involvement programs.

The staff and faculty of the Swainsboro Tech Child Development Center are very proud of this accomplishment and plan to maintain the operation of a quality program above the standards set by the state. The center will be visited two or three times each year by Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning to maintain licensure status. The center has recently applied for Center of Distinction under Standards of Care and plan to apply for a national accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) or the National Association of Child Care Professionals (NACCP).

Pictured from left to right: Jaclyn Winskie, Assistant Director of CCR&R of East Central Georgia; Mary Jackson, Director of CCR&R of West Central Georgia; Tiffany Stewart, TA Coordinator of CCR&R of South Central Georgia; Jack Kingston, Georgia First District Congressman; Angela Hines, Director of CCR&R of East Central Georgia; and Julia Reifenberger, Director of CCR&R of South Central Georgia

Angela Hines, Jaclyn Winskie, and Sherry Rowland of Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) of East Central Georgia at Swainsboro Technical College recently attended the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) Policy Symposium in Washington, D.C. While attending, they met with representatives from the offices of U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson in addition to meeting with Congressional members Jack Kingston, Jim Marshall, and John Barrow.

Local CCR&R staff members attended the Policy Symposium to serve as advocates for quality child care in an effort to raise the standards of excellence throughout the area. They joined other CCR&Rs from across the country in raising awareness on Capitol Hill about NACCRRA’s Public Policy Agenda. In addition to meeting with legislators, CCR&R staff attended educational sessions and networking events. CCR&R Director, Angela Hines, stated "It was a great opportunity for us to work with other CCR&R agencies who share in our efforts for promoting quality child care for the children."

CCR&R of East Central Georgia at Swainsboro Technical College serves seventeen counties: Emanuel, Candler, Treutlen, Johnson, Toombs, Montgomery, Appling, Wayne, Evans, Tattnall, Laurens, Wheeler, Dodge, Wilcox, Jeff Davis, Telfair, and Bleckley. Phone numbers in Swainsboro are 478-289-2275 or 877-495-9188 (toll free); anyone in our seventeen counties needing our services may call either the Swainsboro or Dublin office (912-274-1362 or (toll-free) 800-300-2316) for assistance.   

Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) Agency of East Central Georgia of Swainsboro Technical College will conduct a ‘Infectious Childhood Diseases’ workshop at the Swainsboro Technical College on 346 Kite Road on March 29 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Information will be provided on the symptoms of contagious diseases, illness policies, exclusion policies, medication, cleaning and disinfecting, and universal precautions. Regulated and unregulated day care providers will receive three State accepted credit hours for this workshop.

The fee for this workshop is $5.00 and pre-registration is required by March 26. Child care will not be provided.

You may contact Isabel at 478-274-1362 or 800-300-2316 (toll-free) or Tonya at 478-289-2275 or 1-877-495-9188 (toll-free) for further information or to pre-register.  

Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) Agency of East Central Georgia of Swainsboro Technical College will conduct a Curriculum Workshop on March 27, from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. The training will be held at the Swainsboro Technical College Satellite Center located 25 West Daniel Street in Metter.

Information will be provided on planning a scaffolding lesson plan based on developmentally appropriate practices for any home-based or center based environment for children ages 3 months through 13 years. This three-hour session also covers information on using assessment tools to evaluate the effectiveness of the plans and activities. Regulated and unregulated day care providers will receive three State accepted credit hours for attending this workshop.

There is a $5.00 fee. Pre-registration is required by March 23 and child care will not be provided.

Anyone wanting to pre-register or in need of additional information should contact Tonya at 478-289-2275 or (toll free) 877-495-9188 or Isabel Mendoza at 478-274-1362 or (toll free) 800-300-2316.