MSU Extension Nurturing Homes Initiative

04/18/2026

Three providers. Three journeys. One powerful impact.

Hear from Tiffany Phillips, Tina McKinion, and Bobbie Lankford as they share how the Nurturing Homes Initiative is helping them strengthen their skills, grow their businesses, and improve learning experiences for children.

From strengthening business practices to improving learning environments for children, this program is changing the way in-home child care is delivered across Mississippi.

Watch now to hear their stories.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

04/16/2026

Are you following along with Nurturing Homes Initiative? 👀

We share tips for providers, real success stories, and ideas to support quality early learning.

Follow us on Instagram to stay connected!

04/15/2026

Work Together Wednesday! 🤝

Today is all about teamwork, collaboration, and learning together. 💛

Activities like this help children build social skills, communication, and confidence—all while having fun!

We love seeing little learners working together to create big moments. 🌈

04/14/2026

It’s Tasty Tuesday! 👩‍🍳📚

Cooking together helps children explore math, literacy, and science—all while having fun in the kitchen!

04/14/2026

is not just about eating your favorite snacks together!

04/11/2026

🌟 Provider Spotlight! 🌟

Meet Mrs. Carmela Gates!

Mrs. Carmela is a licensed family childcare provider (12 or fewer) in Tupelo, Mississippi. She joined the MSU Extension Nurturing Homes Initiative in 2022 and has shown a strong commitment to growth and excellence in early childhood education.

Through her participation, Mrs. Carmela successfully completed technical assistance (TA) lessons, BAS lessons, and even guided her assistant teacher through the NHI CDA program—demonstrating her dedication not only to her own development, but to her team as well. 💛

The MSU Extension Nurturing Homes Initiative supports providers by enhancing learning environments, offering one-on-one mentoring, and delivering research-based resources to improve the quality of early education experiences.

✨ We’re proud to have Mrs. Carmela as part of the NHI family!

Watch her segment here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3qgxbCwcBI

04/10/2026

We’re excited to kick off the Week of the Young Child. 🎉

Hosted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children!

This week we celebrate our amazing young learners, families , and the educators who make learning meaningful every day. 🍎📚

Stay tuned as we highlight fun, creativity, and learning all week long during the Week of the Young Child! ✨🎨🎶

Comment below and tell us how you will celebrate the week!

04/02/2026

🌟 Provider Spotlight! 🌟

Meet Mrs. Tina McKinion!

Mrs. Tina is an unlicensed in-home family childcare provider from Philadelphia, Mississippi. She joined the MSU Extension Nurturing Homes Initiative in December 2025 and is eager to grow her knowledge and skills to better support the children in her care.

Through her participation, Mrs. Tina is working to strengthen her program, enhance her learning environment, and provide high-quality early learning experiences for every child.

The MSU Extension Nurturing Homes Initiative supports providers like Mrs. Tina through one-on-one mentoring, improved learning environments, and research-based resources.

🎥 Watch her story via the link on our page! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TDdYsM3Xdo)

💛 We’re proud to have Mrs. Tina as part of the NHI family!

04/02/2026

🌈 Learning never ends!

Our NHI coaches spent the week engaging with their providers and children through fun, hands-on activities.

Through the MSU Extension Nurturing Homes Initiative, we’re helping providers create meaningful learning experiences that support every child’s growth. ✨

04/01/2026

📅 Mark your calendars!

Join us April 11–17 as we celebrate National Association for the Education of Young Children’s Week of the Young Child—a week dedicated to recognizing the importance of early learning, young children, their teachers, families, and communities.

👉 Which day are you most excited for?

04/01/2026

Our offices will be closed on Friday, April 3, in observance of Good Friday.

We will resume normal business hours on Monday, April 6.

Our offices will be closed on Friday, April 3, in observance of Good Friday.

We will resume normal business hours on Monday, April 6!

03/26/2026

Provider Spotlight! 🔦

Meet Mrs. Bobbie Lankford from Gautier, Mississippi!

🌟 With over 30 years of experience in childcare, she’s dedicated to helping children thrive. Since joining the NHI program in November 2023, she’s completed Technical Assistant lessons, Business Administration Scale training, and the CDA program—all to bring the best care to her family childcare home. 💛

📺 Check out her story in this YouTube feature!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPjGdu-TH3Y