The Jefferson-Lewis Childcare Project’s annual spring conference will focus on positive relationships between day-care providers and parents.

Catherine C. Brodeur, project director, said the topic constantly comes up from both parents and providers, so she decided to address it in a continuing-education conference for providers.

“You have to be on the same team,” she said. “We’re trying to be proactive. Relationships are always evolving.”

Ms. Brodeur said the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 23 conference at the Community Action Planning Council, 518 Davidson St., will cover five of the nine training topics each provider is required to take by the state Office of Children and Family Services.

“The Power of Positive Relationships” conference topics will be principles of child development, child abuse and maltreatment identification and prevention, child day-care program development, safety and security procedures and statutes and regulations pertaining to child abuse and maltreatment.

Ms. Brodeur said parents can help improve the relationship with their child’s day-care provider by becoming involved, asking questions and being engaged.

“Parents are the expert on their child,” she said.

The conference’s morning and afternoon sessions will inform day-care providers about key concepts for building relationships, complexities of relationships, active listening, empathy and relationship-building strategies.

The spring conference is the first major training conference of the year; the second is offered in the fall. Ms. Brodeur said day-care providers must have 20 hours of training every two years.

“It keeps things fresh,” she said. “You want to be up on everything.”

She said there are about 150 state-registered providers in Jefferson and Lewis counties, but there won’t be that many available slots for the conference. Preregistration is requested by March 15 by calling the agency at 782-4900.

If providers cannot attend the conference, Ms. Brodeur said, there are many training opportunities throughout the year, including online workshops.

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