November 14, 2024 By CDHD IdahoSTARS Coaching: tailored support for child care providers Did you know that IdahoSTARS offers practice-based coaching for child care providers across the state? This training tool is available one-on-one or in a group, offering a tailored approach to professional growth. Coaching utilizes a practice- and strengths-based approach to help child care providers learn and implement teaching practices that support healthy development and learning. IdahoSTARS defines it as a relationship-based strategy that uses a cyclical process. There are three steps that create a continuous loop of learning and improvement: Joint planning: Shared Goals and Action Planning Focused observations Reflection and feedback. The process builds on strengths and supports child care providers in the use of effective teaching practices, with the intention of providing positive outcomes for children. It’s also embedded in many of IdahoSTARS’s other supports. This includes Targeted Technical Assistance (TTA) and Cohorts. TTA is a standardized coaching process with an identified goal such as setting up and facilitating a block play center. Cohorts are a standardized series of networking, coaching and training. Both feature practice-based coaching, which is supported across the state by IdahoSTARS coaches. There are many benefits to taking advantage of IdahoSTARS coaching. It supports child care providers in: meeting identified professional development goals specific to effective teaching practices increasing quality practices and improving child outcomes celebrating quality improvements and professional successes accessing and understanding professional resources and trainings gaining skills to coach peers participating in hands-on learning experiences practicing self-reflection skills developing a growth mindset and solution-focused thinking networking and building supportive relationships. For more information about Coaching or any of IdahoSTARS’s professional development resources and tools, check out the IdahoSTARS website. Or call the Idaho CareLine at 211 or 1-800-926-2588.