Tennessee Child Care Resource and Referral Network

Every day, early child care professionals help shape confident learners, caring communities, and brighter futures. Your impact reaches far beyond the classroom walls. Thank you for the encouragement, patience, and dedication you bring to children and families each day. 💙

Child abuse and neglect prevention doesn’t begin and end in April. 💙

Prevention happens every day through safe relationships, supportive communities, and showing up for children and families in big and small ways.

We asked TN CCR&R staff to finish this sentence:
“Child abuse and neglect prevention starts with ______.”

Their answers are a reminder that prevention can start with listening, supporting, educating, advocating, and caring for one another.

Together, we all play a role in helping children and families thrive.

StrongerTogether

Take a storybook adventure across Tennessee 📚🌿

Storybook Trails are interactive outdoor reading experiences designed to help families walk, read, and explore together. As you move along the trail, each page of the story encourages conversation, movement, imagination, and a love for literacy in the great outdoors.

From East Tennessee to West Tennessee, there are Storybook Trails waiting to be discovered near you!

Interested in bringing more language-rich interactions into your classroom or community? Connect with your local TN CCR&R Early Language & Literacy Coach to learn more about Storybook Trails and other resources designed to support young children and families across Tennessee. 💙📚

To explore Storybook Trails across Tennessee visit: https://governorsfoundation.org/community/storybook-trails

Which trail are you exploring first? 👣✨

We love seeing the strong relationships built between child care programs and the coaches who support them every day. 💙

Congratulations to Jenni Hensley Bates, and thank you to Champion Christian Learning Academy for sharing this recognition and highlighting the impact of collaboration and support in early childhood education.🌱

For the month of May, CCLA proudly spotlights Jennifer Edge-Bates, our incredible Developmental Support Coach at both the Brainerd and South Terrace locations Jennifer has been such a valuable resource to our school community, helping assess students when parents or educators have concerns related to speech, developmental delays, behavioral challenges, or possible diagnoses.

She has graciously come to our school several times, offering guidance, support, and practical resources to both teachers and families. Her compassion, knowledge, and willingness to help ensure that our students receive the support they need to thrive.

Thank you, Jennifer, for partnering with us, advocating for children, and helping us create a stronger support system for every child at CCLA. We appreciate you more than words can express! 💙

Back in April, TN CCR&R staff came together for the Building Strong Foundations training — strengthening knowledge, building skills, and continuing to grow together in support of Tennessee children and families. 💙

All aboard the Connection Cruise! 🚢

Our CCR&R team set sail together in April for our All Staff Meeting in Franklin—a dedicated time to step away from our day-to-day work spread across the state and come together for connection, collaboration, and shared learning.

This year’s theme brought a fun “cruise” energy to our time together, but at the heart of it all were meaningful updates, engaging presentations, and the kind of in-person connection that strengthens our mission to support Tennessee’s child care professionals and families.

A special highlight was coming together in blue to form a human ribbon in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month—a powerful reminder of why we do this work and who we do it for. 💙

Grateful for a team that shows up, leans in, and keeps Tennessee’s children and families at the center of everything we do.

Severe weather can happen quickly, but preparation can make all the difference. 🌦️

Taking time now to refresh emergency plans, update supplies, and review safety procedures can help keep your program, staff, and children safer throughout the spring and summer months.

Need additional support? Your CCR&R Emergency Preparedness Specialist is here to help with resources, guidance, and planning assistance. 🤝

📚 Read more helpful tips and articles in the latest CCR&R Connection newsletter through the link here: https://simplebooklet.com/maynewslettersimplebooklet2

We are beyond honored to share that Tennessee Child Care Resource & Referral Network has been named one of two recipients of Child Care Aware® of America's inaugural Igniting Opportunity Award!

This recognition means the world to our team: the coaches, coordinators, and staff who show up every single day in all 95 counties across our state to support providers, families, and the children at the center of it all. This award belongs to every single one of them.

🍎 Happy Teacher Appreciation Day!

Today, we’re celebrating the incredible child care professionals who make a difference in the lives of young children across all of Tennessee—every single day. Your dedication, creativity, and care lay the foundation for lifelong learning, and that impact reaches far beyond the classroom.

These moments from the Southeast Day of Play capture the smiling faces, joyful connections, and hands-on learning that you bring to your work. Whether it’s through play, guidance, or simply showing up with a caring heart, you help children grow, explore, and thrive.

Thank you for all that you do—for your communities, for families, and for Tennessee’s youngest learners. 💙

🌼 The May 2026 issue of The CCR&R Connection is here!🎉

This month’s statewide newsletter is filled with meaningful insights and practical resources to support your work with young children and families. Explore topics like early language and literacy, family & group child care, family engagement, early childhood quality, and important guidance on emergency preparedness, health, safety, and supervision.

Inside, you’ll find practical ideas and helpful highlights you can put into action right away!

➡️Read this months issue or sign up here: https://linktr.ee/tnccrr?fbclid=IwY2xjawRl12BleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFHc0hKTlJuNDJxWXQ5OXVtc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvWYsN5T2zwkDPbm6duwlKlHXqInj4uCxmqjvahF3DeuISOU3UJstowEqrPq_aem_nQZn_smD5lTr2LtymXQRHg

✨ Upcoming Super Trainings – May 2–May 16
Join us for engaging, in-person training opportunities designed to equip and support child care professionals across Tennessee.

📍 Upper Cumberland Region – May 2
📍 South Central Region – May 7
📍 West Region – May 9
📍 Upper East Region – May 9
📍 Central Region – May 16

From strengthening early childhood practices to supporting family & group care, these sessions cover a wide range of essential topics—including early language and literacy, health, safety, and supervision, and more. Each training is designed to provide practical strategies you can take right back to your program, helping you create safe, supportive, and engaging environments for children and families.

👉tnccr.org/training-calendar
Select your region to view full details and secure your spot.