Ten childcare providers across Humboldt County are participating in a 3-county pilot project to try out a new, scaled down version of the Rainbow Kit. Rainbow Kits are a compilation of carefully chosen resources and materials to support childcare facilities in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all children and families. They facilitate providers in embracing diversity, teaching children to value themselves and others and including families.
The kit used in this pilot, the Rainbow Explorer, builds on the work established with the robust Rainbow Kits developed and distributed by Napa County First 5. The Explorer uses Anti-Bias Education core goals to develop settings and practices that support the development of spaces that are welcoming to all children and families. A bilingual resource, it is suitable for use with infants through preschoolers and the materials were curated to be used in the classroom and shared with families at home also.
Childcare providers are part of a five-week training series to learn about and use the Rainbow Explorer Kits while participating in a Community of Practice to support implementation in their programs. The 10 childcare programs include state preschools, tribal childcare, family childcare homes and campus childcare. They will complete pre and post surveys and provide feedback to help Napa First 5 evaluate if the more affordable Rainbow Explorer kits are feasible to expand to other counties. This project is funded by the IMPACT grant.