About the Early Childhood Conference at Concordia St. Paul
Read further for any of the 13 areas of interest:
- About the Early Childhood Conference
- Registration
- Fees
- Refunds
- College Credit
- Minnesota Core Competencies Content Areas
- Workshop Verification
- Displays and Vendors
- Food
- Inclement Weather
- From Our Classroom to Yours
- Housing
- Accommodations
About the Early Childhood Conference
On behalf of Concordia University, the Minnesota South District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and the Early Childhood planning committee, we welcome you to the 8th annual Minnesota Early Childhood Conference.
Our conference strives to provide spiritual enrichment and continuing education for early childhood educators. We believe that early childhood educators must be affirmed, valued, and challenged in their work with young children. We are a Christian conference which strives to help teachers grow professionally but also recognizes that spiritual growth is an area of development as well.To support this mission we will provide worship, motivational keynotes, and sectionals for the unique needs of teachers of children birth to age eight and program directors. Early childhood education is as diverse as the children we teach. We hope to expand your horizons and help you gather information for the best developmentally appropriate practices.
Registration
Pre-registration is preferred. Registration forms must be received by February 18, 2011, for the discount rate. Mail-in registrations will continue to be accepted until March 4, 2011. Conference registration is limited to 400 attendees per day. The conference arrival center is in the Pearson Commons (the commons area of the Library Technology Center) on the west side of the Concordia campus. For questions regarding the conference call 651-641-8857 or e-mail mnecec@gmail.com.
Fees
Early registration for the two day conference is $110 per person and includes all workshops, lunch and conference displays. If attending one day, the cost is $70. Registrations received after February 18 will be $115 for two days and $75 for one day. Full Time Student Fee (with valid ID) available. See registration form.
Refunds
Full refunds will be granted upon written request through February 18. Cancellations before March 4 will be assessed a $20 processing fee. Cancellations will not be accepted after March 4, however registrants may transfer their registration to another Early Childhood professional. Contact mnecec@gmail.com for registration transfers.
College Credit
Undergraduate credit is available at the conference from Concordia University. An additional fee of $285 for one undergraduate credit is required to apply. To apply for credit, mark the box on the registration form and additional information will be sent to you. Pre- meetings will be held each day of the conference. Individuals seeking college credit must attend both days of the conference.
Minnesota Core Competencies Content Areas
The sectionals at our conference have been categorized by the "Minnesota Core Competency" content areas. Each content area describes the knowledge and skills practitioners need in order to work with children from birth through school age.
Content area I: Child Growth and Development
Content area II: Learning Environment and Curriculum
Content area III: Assessment and Planning for Individual Needs
Content area IV: Interactions with Children
Content area V: Families and Communities
Content area VI: Health, Safety, and Nutrition
Content area VII: Program Planning and Evaluation
Content area VIII: Professional Development and Leadership
Workshop Verification
Certificates of Attendance will be available to all attendees. Full conference attendance equals 14 hours of in-service credit (7 hours per day).
Displays and Vendors
There will be a variety of vendor options with exciting displays and materials for you to see and purchase. Conference Booklet (PDF)
Food
Continental breakfast, coffee, and lunch is included in your registration fee. Complimentary morning coffee will be served both days from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Evening meals are not provided.
Inclement Weather
If weather conditions are severe enough to warrant cancellation of one or both days of the conference an announcement will be posted to the Concordia University Web Page ( www.csp.edu), area media will be alerted, and a message added to 651-641-8857. In case of a cancellation, due to our fixed costs of preparing the conference there is no guarantee of a full refund.
From Our Classroom to Yours
Come visit the idea rooms during lunch. You'll be able to browse a variety of ideas from teachers of activities that they have done with their children infants through early elementary. While it's not make and take, there will be many ideas and samples for you to snap a picture of so remember to bring your camera.
Housing
Participants needing housing may arrange accommodations with any of the hotels listed below. Be sure to mention 'Concordia University' to receive the special rate. Use only the numbers provided to take advantage of the special rate.
Accommodations
Best Western Bandana Square
1010 Bandana Blvd. W. (Bandana Square, 1 mi. N. of I-94, off
Lexington Pkwy). Free parking, indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna;
wireless internet in all rooms; complimentary Express breakfast
(651) 647-1637Days Inn
2550 Cleveland Ave. N., Roseville
(651) 636-7939 or (651) 636-6730Holiday Inn Express East
I-94 and McKnight Rd. So., St. Paul
(5 miles east of Concordia)
(651) 731-2220Radisson Inn
2540 N. Cleveland Ave., Roseville
651-636-4567
