The NC Birth-to-Three Quality Initiative (B-3QI) team serves all 100 N.C. counties through Birth-to-Three Specialists housed in regional lead child care resource and referral agencies.
For technical assistance in Durham, Orange and Wake counties of children older than 3, visit our Technical Assistance page.
Program Overview
The Birth-to-Three Specialists provide hands-on individualized and tailored support (coaching) for providers and administrators that includes:
- Building positive relationships with children, families and co-workers
- Creating environments to support social-emotional development and the developing capacity of infants and young children to:
- Form close and secure adult and peer relationships
- Experience, regulate and express emotions in socially and culturally appropriate ways
- Explore the environment and learn social skills
- Implementing best practices for infant and toddler group care every day that creates the quality of care that provides solid foundations for infant and toddler development
- Providing support for developmental monitoring and screening through the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Learn the Signs Act Early materials
We use a Practice-Based Coaching framework that involves building partnerships and shared goals with infant and toddler teachers and administrators to help them plan for and achieve best practices.
FAQs
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What is a Birth-to-Three Specialist and is there a charge?
Birth-to-Three Specialists have extensive knowledge, certifications and specialized training in infant and toddler care and development. They offer support and training in your area through the NC Birth-to-Three Quality Initiative (B-3QI), a special project of the NC Child Care Resource and Referral Council, at no cost through funding from the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education. Each N.C. county has a Birth-to-Three Specialist dedicated to supporting its child care centers. To contact your regional Birth-to-Three Specialist, click here.
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How do we get started?
What are people saying about NC B-3QI?
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My teachers were very excited about this program. I appreciate you all letting administrators be a part of it too. It was fun getting to see my teacher’s face light up as they explained when I asked them what they learned this week or that week. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity for early childhood educators, especially in infant and toddler care. This age is my heart!
— Administrator of NITTO participant
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It helped me understand the steps in achieving positive social-emotional health for each child.
— NITTO participant
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It reminded me that conflicts are learning opportunities within the classroom.
— NITTO participant
Infant/Toddler News
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Planning with a Purpose: Lesson Planning FAQs
In Planning with a Purpose, a cohort-based learning community, we have spent our first couple of sessions together discussing the purpose and process of lesson planning. As a result of these conversations with birth-to-three providers, we as a project want to share with you some planning-related issues that have come to light. -
What Type of Learner Are You?
In the United States, every child three years of age and under is entitled to specialized support and intervention services in reaching developmental milestones if they have a developmental delay — that is, if they are meeting these milestones more slowly than expected or if they have a high probability of experiencing a delay due to a diagnosed condition. This important piece of legislation falls under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (Part C) and is meant to provide a strong foundation for children and their families that will endure over the course of their lifetimes. -
Early Intervention and Equity: What You Should Know
In the United States, every child three years of age and under is entitled to specialized support and intervention services in reaching developmental milestones if they have a developmental delay — that is, if they are meeting these milestones more slowly than expected or if they have a high probability of experiencing a delay due to a diagnosed condition. This important piece of legislation falls under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (Part C) and is meant to provide a strong foundation for children and their families that will endure over the course of their lifetimes.
“Who’s Caring for Our Babies?”
A statewide report on county, regional and statewide status of infant/toddler care, called “Who’s Caring for Our Babies?” was completed in 2016. This study examines care in 2016 and shows how it has changed since 2008.
B-3QI Quarterly Newsletter
Stay in the know with B-3QI. We provide relevant information to birth-to-three teachers and administrators committed to high-quality care and education. We will highlight project updates and offerings, offer tips and scenarios based on NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development and ZERO TO THREE Critical Competencies, and include profiles of our Birth-to-Three Specialists who are ready to support you.