The goal of Center of Excellence Child Care & Academy is “to impact our students’ lives educationally, emotionally and socially so they are provided with a strong foundation for their educational career.” This commitment goes beyond the classroom to the support employees receive to continue to nurse their little ones after returning to work, truly impacting the lives of the employees and their families.
Breastfeed Orange NC is grateful for the support of Center of Excellence Child Care & Academy (COE) as a community partner, advocate, and stakeholder! We also are delighted to be able to lift up their support for staff! Ashley Champion, NC PreK Teacher at Center of Excellence Child Care and Academy, shared “a breastfeeding mama’s journey” of respect and care.
Adapting to the new is always a challenge, time for adjustment is needed. At the fragile state of 6 weeks my daughter and I left the comfort of our home life and entered into the hustle and bustle of everyday routine. Grateful to be returning to the same place together (her in the infant room and me in the pre k classroom), I found some comfort. I had the opportunity to step out of my classroom and nurse my newborn daughter.
How relieving it is to have support from others on your choice to breastfeed. My employer provided me with two 20-30 minute breaks where I got to hold, feed and interact with my daughter. Keeping our bond strong! Understanding the importance of self care and mental health I was also allotted my normal 1 hour lunch break.
As my daughter grew and developed, her needs began to change. My employer was open to modifying and adjusting the schedule if possible. The flexibility showed respect and true devotion to supporting a breastfeeding mama’s journey.
Ashley Champion, NC PreK Teacher, Center for Excellence Child Care & Academy
Ready to Get Started in Your Program?
A great place to begin is by applying for the Breastfeed Orange NC Community Partner and Employer award / Premio al Socio Comunitario y al Empleado. We would love to celebrate your childcare program and connect it with families in our community. Complete the application online (English or Spanish), or reach out to the Breastfeed Orange NC team with questions or for help with the application (orangenc@breastfeedingcommunities.org).
Resources
- Reach out to the Orange County Partnership for Young Children (OCPYC; http://www.orangesmartstart.org)
- The Orange County Partnership for Young Children (OCPYC) team is ready to support you.
- OCPYC can provide technical assistance and resources to take you from the first steps, such as completing the Community Partner & Employer application, to creating your lactation space to completing the local or state designation.
- Learn more about the importance of breastfeeding and supporting lactating families and employees
- The Building Blocks to Breastfeeding Friendly Childcare series provides information to help you complete the Ten Steps to a Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care. Start with Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care An Overview and continue viewing the remaining sessions that focus on specific topics.
- Breastfeeding University (https://breastfeedinguniversity.com/) is the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute online classroom. Create an account. Then Enjoy the online course for Childcare Providers. There is a course for Childcare Trainers, too.
- Resources for Childcare Providers (https://breastfeedorangenc.org/resources-for-childcare-providers/) includes local information from Breastfeed Orange NC.
- Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care (https://breastfeedingcommunities.org/creating-communities/building/business-case-for-breastfeeding/childcare/) provides a step-by-step approach to get started.
- Become a Community Partner and Employer (https://bit.ly/LearnAboutCommunityPartnerEmployerAward)
- Apply for the Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Designation
- The Local Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Designation includes technical assistance from OCPYC. The local designation can help you prepare for the state designation.
- NC Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Designation is the state designation from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
- Find Breastfeeding Family Friendly Childcare (https://breastfeedorangenc.org/childcare-and-preschool-programs/)
Thank you to Center of Excellence Child Care & Academy for your welcome and support for families and staff!