RENO — Based on the Born Learning program of the United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierras (UWNNS), AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) have created an early education resources and training project to train child care providers. UWNNS has offered Born Learning in northern Nevada since the program’s initiation in 2005 as a way to help parents and caregivers create high-quality learning environments for children up to age 5.

With more than half of America’s kindergartners being intellectually behind, Born Learning and other early-learning programs have been found to improve a child’s chances of being prepared for kindergarten, graduating from high school and even having a happy and productive life. To expand the community’s access to Born Learning, VISTAs are now training child care providers throughout northern Nevada using the Born Learning program, research and materials.

Born Learning training has been approved by Nevada Registry, the statewide system of career development created by the Office of Early Care and Education. Nevada Registry is responsible for the approval of all informal (not-for-college credit) childcare training in the state. Born Learning has also been approved as curriculum in the area of human growth and development, with each child care provider being required to take courses in this area to meet licensing requirements.

For details on Born Learning trainings and other child care provider trainings, visit www.nevadaregistry.org.