The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (CMNH) was recently awarded a $140,000 grant via a partnership between the Granite United Way and the Community Development Finance Authority to support play-based learning for family-based childcare providers across New Hampshire.  With this funding, CMNH is providing play-based learning (PBL) kits of materials, activity guides and training, workshops and ongoing support for 100 at-home providers throughout the state, impacting the 846 children that they serve. 

This project is the next step in a progression of initiatives to advance knowledge and utilization of PBL in childcare centers and classrooms in NH.  “The Children’s Museum is an expert in play-based learning—which is simply learning through play,” said Xanthi Gray, Director of Education at CMNH.  “We have been working for several years with partners across the state to share that knowledge with childcare centers, preschools, public libraries and family resource centers to support their utilization of PBL.  The end goal is helping all children be better prepared to succeed in school, and beyond.”

The current project aims to support the many providers operating small family-based childcare centers out of their home.  “These providers face unique challenges in operating as a small business and educator with limited support or flexibility to attend in-person professional development activities,” said Melissa Latham, Director of Communications and Policy at CDFA.  “The Children’s Museum has developed a series of creative outreach activities to deliver important training for these providers, which in turn furthers CDFA's goal of supporting family-based childcare providers with resources and meaningful connections to a network of educators.”  The CMNH project offers in-home providers ongoing support with 10 months of PBL activity guides, virtual workshops with information catered to their at-home environment, an online community to share ideas and network, and in-person workshops both at the Museum and in locations throughout the state. 

“We are grateful to the Community Development Finance Authority for their support of this work,” said Jane Bard, CMNH President. 

“With every initiative we undertake to expand the use of play-based learning, we positively impact children who will pass through those classrooms for years to come.  Family-based providers are filling an important gap in childcare right now, and we are happy to be able to support their efforts.”

Over the next few months, CMNH will be hosting PBL workshops in every county of the state, open to participants in this program as well as other family-based providers.  Workshops have been confirmed in Portsmouth on November 12, Keene on November 19, Plaistow on December 3 and Rochester on December 4^th—all workshops will be from 6-7:00pm and held in that town’s public library. Details about additional upcoming workshops will be posted to the Museum’s website when available.  You can learn more about the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire and their play-based learning resources online at www.childrens-museum.org.