A neighborhood block party is an opportunity for a community to step outside its typical routine, cross the street, and build connections. On Tuesday, August 18, DIEEC celebrated its new offices on UD’s Children’s Campus by hosting a block party for Delaware’s early childhood community. The party brought together educators, program administrators, policymakers, researchers, and advocates to celebrate our shared commitment to the field.
Leading the Way
Dean Rena Hallam of UD’s College of Education and Human Development started the evening by reflecting on the significance of the move:
“For years, it was a dream of mine, and a shared vision in the college, to see DIEEC housed right here on the Children’s Campus. This campus is now an ecosystem. Having DIEEC under the same “roof” as the Early Learning Center, the UD Lab School, The College School, and the Center for Disability Studies creates a powerful hub where research, hands-on practice, professional learning, and community connection live side by side. It’s a reminder that high-quality early childhood education doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in community.”
-Dean Hallam
Dean Hallam then introduced Dr. Anamarie Whitaker, associate professor of Human Development and Family Studies, as DIEEC’s new faculty director. State Representatives Mara Gorman and Kamela Smith highlighted Delaware’s momentum toward transforming the early childhood system, emphasizing the critical role of high-quality early care and education for Delaware’s workforce and families. We were also honored to have UD President Laura Carlson and leaders from across Delaware’s early care and policy sectors present.
Sharing Our Why
In between enjoying pulled chicken sliders and a build-your-own-beverage bar, guests took guided office tours highlighting DIEEC’s local and national impacts. Outdoors, in the pollinator garden, attendees decorated wood tiles with their personal vision for the field, contributing to a community mosaic that will serve as a daily reminder of our shared mission in early childhood. Nearby, guests visited the Story Corner, a reflective space where members of the ECE community shared their personal stories, lived experiences, and the “why” that drives their daily dedication to children.
Fun, Games, and Sunset Celebrations
Guests also explored a station featuring a curated selection of items designed to inspire active, healthy outdoor play for young children. By the night’s end, DIEEC had raffled off more than 45 outdoor play items for educators to take back to their own programs. Altogether, 130 guests joined the celebration, with the UDairy MooMobile serving over 110 scoops of delicious ice cream. The evening concluded with an impromptu, sunset Cha Cha Slide on the pavement- a perfect symbol of our community coming together in joy and alignment.
Article Written by Stephanie Thompson
