Professional Learning Alternatives, Inc.
is a nonprofit training and advocacy resource for child care professionals, parents, and those interested in supporting the development and education of young children.
Deb Colling
Executive Director
8244 177th Lane
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-8777
Fax: 651-286-0885
April 2012 (docx)
April 2012 (pdf)
March 2012 (docx)
March 2012 (pdf)
February 2012 (doc)
February 2012 (pdf)
January 2012 (doc)
January 2012 (pdf)
If you prefer to register offline, download a Registration Form and choose the option that suits you.
Union Misrepresentation in Minnesota
NEWS!!!
April 6, 2012
Judge Lindman ruled
against Governor Dayton's Executive Order.
This means there is NO order and there will be NO vote to unionize child care providers.
but is reviewing the order.
Visit www.childcareunioninfo.com for more coverage.
Pending Legislation
There are several opportunities to testify - in-person or through written testimony - on various bills pertaining to your child care business. Several opportunities are posted at www.childcareunioninfo.com.
Visit www.childcareunioninfo.com for up-to-date, non-political information about this very important issue. Locate your provider contact to ask your questions about the potential effects to your private business.
(For the most up-to-date information, visit www.childcareunioninfo.com.)
Child care professionals already have and frequently utilize numerous avenues open to them to work with legislators, county commissioners, city councils, and the Department of Human Services, etc. You are already free to engage as individuals and as members of child care professional organizations to which you choose to belong. You are free to choose education that meets both your personal and professional goals as well as the state licensing statutes. Unionization cannot change this and must not be allowed to believe it can.
Providers (and all citizens) need to
understand you already have a reserved seat at any table you wish.
You
just need to show up!
The grassroots effort to oppose the unionization of child care providers is directed solely by a
cohort of licensed family child care providers.
These women have worked diligently - some since 2005 - to educate themselves and others about the secret efforts of the unions. They have made phone calls, written letters, held meetings, spoken on radio and television, been interviewed by journalists and reporters, traveled throughout Minnesota to government and child care association meetings, set up a website, and spent their own money to appear at conferences and send information to thousands of Minnesota child care providers/businesses.
You are already empowered. But you must use your power for it to make any difference!
(This information is not intended to be taken as an overall anti-union stance.
For this type of independent, self-employed, small business owner, however, it is not a workable choice.)
Federal lawsuit
Filed in Minnesota on January 19, 2012.
(For the most up-to-date information, visit www.childcareunioninfo.com.)
Event Flyers
Car/Booster Seat Recycle Event (May 12) (pdf)
Early Childhood Screening - Get Your Child Onboard! (pdf)
(For information and locations in your community, contact your school's Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) Department or school district office.)
Articles and Flyers
Marijuana Fact Sheet (NASADAD) (pdf)
Caring for Older Adults? Holiday Gift Ideas for Caregivers and Care Receivers (doc)
Top 10 Tips to Minimize Holiday Stress (doc)
Bullying and Disability Harassment in the Workplace - What Youth Should Know (pdf)
Youths in Military Families Since 9-11 (pdf)
Changing Perceptions of Sexual Violence Over Time (pdf)
What You Need to Know About Prescription Drug Abuse (pdf)
Character Counts! Poster (pdf)
EE Week Educators: Ocean Connections - Watersheds to Reefs (pdf)Monitoring Your Teen's Activities: What Parents and Families Should Know (pdf)
Eating and Emotions in Obese Toddlers (pdf)
Community Resources
St. Andrew's Lutheran Church Community Resource Center (pdf)
Community Thread Taxpayer Assistance (pdf)
Washington County Chemical Action Collaborative (CHAC)
Washington County Youth (WACY)
The Alliance for a Violence-Free Anoka County
Activity Ideas
April
Smack-A-Bug
March Activities
Seasonal Freebies for Teachers
Smack-A-Bug! Sight Word Game
St. Patrick's Day Paddy Potato Project
Bullying
Crossword Puzzle (pdf)
Family Activities
We All Need Trees
Adopt a Tree
Trees as Habitat
The Fallen Log
Looking at Leaves
Tree Cookies
Signs of Fall
Healthy Habits for Life/Sesame Street
Healthy Habits - 1
Healthy Habits - 2
Healthy Habits - 3
Guide for Parents and Caregivers
Minnesota Symbols Coloring Book
ABCs of Environmental Education
Endangered Species Coloring Book
Science Demonstration - Drinking Water (K-12)
Be Water and Energy Wise! Tips
The Water-Energy Connection Activities
The Field Museum Water Calculator
Send us your ideas and we'll include them here for others to enjoy, too.
NEW:
Peregrine Falcon Webcam (downtown St. Paul, MN)
Live Barn Owl Webcam at the Audubon California Starr Ranch Sanctuary
North American Bear Center Live Webcams in Minnesota
Wildlife Research Institute in Ely, Minnesota
Eagle Webcam in Decorah, Iowa
(Scroll down to view recent videos.)
Nestcams in various states
Click here for a list of suggested donation items for
military service members and their families. We will accept your donations at all PLA-INC.-sponsored seminars.
Thank you to all military veterans, current service members, and their families for their dedicated service and untold sacrifices for us.
(May 31, 2011)
Quick Links to:
Seminar Schedule
Promotional Opportunities
Let us know!
**** If you are working on your CDA (or just want to get some concentrated in-service and networking accomplished) and would like to schedule a seminar, please sign up here.
Be sure to include "Seminar" in the subject line.
Also include your city of choice and a selection of topics.
Exceptional education for child care professionals who care.