Community Coordinated Child Care (4-C)

Save the date! Virginia Chance School's Early Childhood Institute 2026 is Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19! Registration opens July 1!

🎉🌎 Happy International Day of Play! 🌎🎉

Today, we celebrate the power of play and the incredible early childhood educators who make meaningful play experiences possible every day.

Play is more than fun. It is how young children explore their world, build relationships, develop problem-solving skills, express creativity, and learn essential social-emotional skills. Through thoughtfully planned environments and responsive interactions, early childhood educators help transform everyday moments of play into opportunities for growth and discovery.

Thank you for creating spaces where curiosity is encouraged, imaginations can soar, and children feel safe to learn through play. Your work lays the foundation for lifelong learning and success.

On this International Day of Play, take pride in the important role you play in helping children learn, grow, and thrive, one playful moment at a time.

For more information about the International Day of Play, the science of play, play ideas, and play celebrations around the world, visit https://www.unicef.org/parenting/day-of-play

International Day of Play Help us make sure that every child everywhere can fulfil their right to play

New Milk Update from the USDA for CACFP
USDA released a final rule that allows whole and reduced-fat (2%) milk to be offered to participants ages two and up in the CACFP. The rule is effective June 8, 2026.

The new milk options for each age group are as follows:

-Fluid milk served to children 1 year old must be unflavored whole milk;
-Fluid milk served to children 2 through 5 years old may be unflavored whole, reduced-fat, low-fat, or fat-free milk; and
-Fluid milk served to children 6 years and older and adult participants may be unflavored or flavored, whole, reduced-fat, low-fat, or fat-free milk.

This rule does not require CACFP operators to offer whole and reduced-fat milk but allows operators the flexibility to offer these types of milk to participants two and up if it makes sense for their program.

Please remember that licensed type I & II programs must follow licensing regulations as well as the CACFP regulations. Although the USDA has changed the types of milk allowed for the food program, the licensing regulation 922 KAR 2:120, that also specifies food and drink requirements for licensed providers, has not changed. If you have questions about the regulation, please reach out to your Child Care Aware coach or Family Child Care Network specialist.

For more information visit: https://www.cacfp.org/2026/05/08/final-rule-expanding-fluid-milk-options-in-cnps/

Today! KY Shared Services Buried Treasure Webinar Series
Hidden Gems: Classroom Supplies Savings
Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Time: 3:00-3:30 pm ET
KY Shared Services, your Shared Resources Platform, is a Treasure Trove! This webinar will focus on uncovering incredible savings with the top three early learning suppliers.

The Challenge
Are you looking to purchase high-quality classroom supplies? Concerned about your budget and the affordability of what you need at a quality you can expect to last?

The Solution
Stretch your dollars as far as possible by taking advantage of deep discounts on quality classroom products with three of the biggest early learning suppliers in the industry: Discount School Supply, Kaplan, and Lakeshore.

Register Today!
Join Andrea Bimonte, your Shared Resources Platform’s personal savings guide, to get the details on the incredible discounts with these early learning suppliers, where to find more information on your Shared Resources Platform, and how to begin saving.

Click here to register (not for ECE-TRIS credit): https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/33RgHOwjQpeQ79jPiuedng #/registration

Not a KY Shared Services member? Apply today for free! Go to www.kysharedservices.org

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Buried Treasure Webinar - Discounted Classroom Supplies. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. This webinar is at 3:00 pm Eastern Time. PLEASE BE SURE TO ADJUST FOR YOUR TIME ZONE when you add the webinar to your calendar.

Time is running out to get your required annual ECE-TRIS credit hours by June 30! We have in person/live classes available, as well as a menu of Independent Learning options to choose from. Don't wait until the last minute. Register today!

Upcoming 4-C Trainings:

June 13 @ 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Orientation for Early Care and Education Professionals with CPR and First Aid

June 17 @ 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm - SOLD OUT!
Director Essentials: Managing Conflict and Challenging Conversations

June 20 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am - offered in Spanish
Entornos y materiales de aprendizaje que inspiran curiosidad, exploración y descubrimiento/Learning Environments and Materials That Inspire Curiosity, Exploration, and Discovery

To learn more and register, visit our website at www.4cforkids.org/training
For a menu of Independent Learning opportunities, go to www.4cforkids.org/training/independent-learning

Important Update from DCC:
We are excited to announce a new digital hub for all learning and training activities: the Commonwealth Offerings for Learning & Training (C**T) Learning Management System (LMS).

C**T updates Kentucky’s training systems by bringing older existing platforms, including DCBS-TRIS, the TRC Portal, and ECE-TRIS, also known as the Professional Development Registry System (collectively, KY TRIS) into one place. C**T is designed to make training easier to find, more consistent, and easier to track. It will also provide real-time reporting and personalized learning experiences across content types such as Quick Reference Guides (QRGs), Web-Based Trainings (WBTs), and videos.

As the C**T modernization effort progresses, we will share regular updates and provide learning opportunities to support Stakeholders and Learner Groups through the transition. Our goal is to help KY TRIS users get ready for C**T, learn new processes, and get used to new ways of working.

What to expect
In the coming weeks, you will receive more information about your Stakeholder Group and your Learner Group point of contact. These communications may include updates, training invitations, or resources to help your organization prepare for the planned late-summer 2026 Go-Live.

Please review the Introducing C**T LMS flyer for an overview of key benefits and upcoming transition activities.

We appreciate your time and partnership,
The C**T Modernization Project Team

When preparing meals in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, keeping foods at an appropriate safe temperature is crucial. Maintaining foods at the correct temperature prevents harmful germs from spreading and multiplying reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses. There is a specific temperature range where foods are most susceptible to bacterial growth, known as the danger zone. So, what is the danger zone? Learn more at https://www.cacfp.org/2024/08/09/meal-pattern-minute-the-danger-zone/ or by watching "Meal Pattern Minute: The Danger Zone." https://youtu.be/sFdDZr0FMuQ?si=0_2i4RULSuUG2IdF

CACFP Meal Pattern Minute: The Danger Zone In terms of food safety, what is the “danger zone?” Learn more on o...

Upcoming 4-C Trainings:

June 13 @ 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Orientation for Early Care and Education Professionals with CPR and First Aid

June 17 @ 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Director Essentials: Managing Conflict and Challenging Conversations

June 20 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am - offered in Spanish
Entornos y materiales de aprendizaje que inspiran curiosidad, exploración y descubrimiento/Learning Environments and Materials That Inspire Curiosity, Exploration, and Discovery

To learn more and register, visit our website at www.4cforkids.org/training

CACFP Meal Pattern Minute - Almond Milk

Parents or guardians of participants might request that their child be served almond milk instead of cow's milk, either because of a medical reason or simply for preference. Are you able to serve almond milk and have it reimbursed in the Child and Adult Care Food Program? Watch the Meal Pattern Minute video or click here to learn more. https://www.cacfp.org/2022/09/27/meal-pattern-minute-almond-milk/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=62bWAjf8-RtixltT&v=3lZc1CBfE-U&feature=youtu.be

CACFP Meal Pattern Minute: Almond Milk Is almond milk reimbursable in the CACFP? Between dairy allergies a...