The 10th Annual Wendy Wayne Scholarship award will be presented on March 24, 2007, at the 22nd Annual Professional Recognition Luncheon sponsored by the Kern Association for the Education of Young Children and Community Connection for Child Care.

This scholarship was set up to assist students completing their studies in early childhood education with books & tuition.

Who may apply?
The applicant must currently be a student studying in the field of early childhood education and currently working in the child development field.

What is the procedure for application?

• Submit the completed application (attached). Please print or type.
• Attach two (2) letters of recommendation (From an instructor, employer, or an early childhood professional).
• Attach verification of student status.
• Attach a one-page statement outlining how this award will help meet educational and career goals.

Completed applications must be received by Tuesday, March 13, 2007. Tickets are now on sale for the 2007 Greg & Steve concert series in March 2007! A Bakersfield favorite for more than 20 years, the concerts will be held at Valley Baptist Church With the generous support of It is that time again...tax time! Do the parents in your program know they qualify for certain tax credits? Help your parents make tax time pay!

Because a parent pays a provider to care for a child or a dependent so she and/or her spouse can work, the family may be able to reduce their federal and state income taxes by claiming the credit for child and dependent care expenses on their tax return, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), while the provider/ daycare centers must claim those same funds received as income for child care services. The Federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and California Child and Dependent Care Expenses Credit are available to families with earned income who, in order to work or to look for work, have to pay for child care services for their children under age 13. The federal government also offers families the Earned Income Credit and Child Tax Credit for those who qualify and meet the requirements.

• Kern County will experience some of the fastest growth in the State with an estimated 140,000 new residents and 55,000 new jobs over the next 10 years. The City of Bakersfield is expected to capture the majority of this growth with 60 percent of the jobs now and by 2015. All of this growth will require child care facilities and services.
  

  In June 2005, Community Connection for Child Care (CCCC)commissioned Brion & Associates to complete a child care strategy study and policy analysis of Kern County to evaluate the current and future supply of child care in five-year increments and reviews policies and strategies that could promote additional child care spaces to accommodate the rate of growth in each of Kern County's communities.
  

  According to the report, there are currently 29,400 child care spaces in Kern County comprising of approximately 192 licensed child care centers, 1,114 licensed family child care homes and 63 license-exempt child care center programs. The final report was published in October,2005 and its highlights and complete text are posted on the CCCC site. Kern County has been addressing child care needs over the last five years by helping to add a total of 9,000 spaces or 46 percent increase in supply. In addition to looking at county level data, the report also outlines these data for each of the 12 planning areas defined by KernCOG.
  

  The Children need a child-safe environment. Unfortunately, many children, being active and curious, are injured by their very own toys. November is Child Safety Protection Month and whether you are looking for a toy for your own child or shopping for your child care program, the holiday season is a great time to refresh your memory about general toy-safety principles.
  

  Since toys cause many preventable injuries, safety should be your first priority when selecting toys and other play materials. Get into the habit of reading labels on toys before you buy. Many toys and some play materials give an appropriate a