"Too much importance cannot be placed on the early training of children. The lessons learned, the habits formed, during the years of infancy and childhood, have more to do with the formation of the character and the direction of the life than have all the instruction and training of after years."
MH , page 380

Quality child care is an urgent need in today’s society. Traditionally, parents are responsible for providing this care. However, because of the rapidly changing structure of today’s family, it becomes necessary for parents to find assistance to give their child the best care possible. In 1904 the church was counseled and strongly encouraged to provide for the training of younger children in situations where parents work out of the home and/or find themselves lacking in parental skills. (See Sanitarium Church School Board Minutes of January 14, 1904; “Counsel on Early School Attendance”, Review and Herald , April 24, 1975.) The Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists early childhood program strives to follow that counsel in offering healthy, safe, Christian environments to parents of the church and its community for their young children.

For “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come unto Me and forbid them not, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ ” Matthew 19:14

The mission of the Southern Union Conference early childhood program is to provide quality care and sound educational experience from birth through four years of age by well-qualified personnel in safe, age-appropriate environments while maintaining the Christian principles of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Our objective includes following high standards with developmentally appropriate practices for young children in a ministry and service to families of the church and community.

Statistics
Approximately 90 Seventh-day Adventist early childhood programs are located throughout the eight southern states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Approximately 2,400 young children ranging from birth through four years of age are enrolled in Seventh-day Adventist early childhood programs across the Southern Union Conference.

Resources for Early Childhood Education

Center Board Manual
ECP/Pre-K Classroom Start-Up Packet
Apertura
Employee Handbook for Locally Employed Personnel
Manual del Empleado Para Personal Contratado Localmente
Code 6000 School-based Pre-K Guidelines
Code 7000 Early Childhood Education Programs
Home and Center Association Handbook
Asociación Centro y Hogar Manual
Adventist Risk Management Loss Control Guide
Control De Riesgos Y Pérdidas Guía
Early Childhood Professional Growth Booklist
Evaluative Criteria for SUC School-based PreK / Addendum
Evaluative Criteria for SUC School-based PreK Addendum / Visiting Committee Handbook
Evaluative Criteria for SUC Schools PreK- 8 Instrument
Evaluative Criteria for SUC Schools PreK- 8 Instrument Live
Evaluative Criteria for SUC Schools PreK - 8 / Visiting Committee Handbook
Evaluative Criteria for SUC Schools PreK- 10 Instrument
Evaluative Criteria for SUC Schools PreK - 10 / Visiting Committee Handbook
Evaluative Criteria for SUC Schools PreK- 12 Instrument
Evaluative Criteria for SUC Schools PreK - 12 / Visiting Committee Handbook
Evaluative Criteria for SUC Early Childhood Programs
Evaluative Criteria for SUC ECP / Visiting Committee Handbook
Interviewing Guidelines for Hiring
Guía para Entrevistas de Trabajo
Parents' Handbook
Manual para padres
Early Childhood Education and Care Certification Requirements Handbook

Forms

Early Childhood Directory Information Update 2012 / EC100
New ECP Site Info Request / EC105
New ECP Site Addl. Information / EC106
Pre-Kindergarten Opening Report / EC200
School Open Report Form Addendum - Retzer Data / EC 220
Pre-Kindergarten Closing Report / EC205
Early Childhood Program Openings Forms / EC210
Early Childhood Program Closing Form / EC215
Early Childhood Education and Care Certification Application / EC300
ECEC Certification Conditional Renewal Evaluation / EC310
ECEC Certification Requirements Check List / EC315
ECEC Professional Growth Reading Credit / EC325
ECP Accreditation Application and Check List / EC400
Pre-Kindergarten Accreditation Form / EC410
Safety Inspection Form

Links:

National Association for the Education of Young Children contains helpful information that promotes excellence in early childhood education.

National Institute for Early Education Research supports early childhood education initiatives by providing objective, nonpartisan information based on research.

National Child Care Information Center is national clearinghouse and technical assistance center that links parents, providers, policy-makers, researchers, and the public to early care and education information.

U.S. Department of Labor website provides information on many federal and state laws regarding workforce and labor, links to resources sorted by audience, topic, form, organization, location and by top 20 requested items and "Frequently Asked Questions" received on a variety of topics.

Wisconsin Child Care Improvement Project visit the (WCCIP) website for good business budgeting, marketing and other tips.

National Association of Child Care Professionals is committed to strengthen the skills of child care owners, directors, and administrators who are dedicated to early care and education, and lead the child care industry.

Contact Us:

Tamara Libonati	Carolina Contreras
Associate Director Early Childhood Education Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it T: 404-299-1832, Ext. 445 F: 404-299-9726	Administrative Assistant Early Childhood Education Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it T: 404-299-1832, Ext. 450 F: 404-299-9726
3978 Memorial Drive Decatur, GA 30032