1st State Family Child Care Conference

1st State Family Child Care Conference

1st State Family Child Care Conference

Something Big is Growing!

2026 marks the 5th anniversary of the 1st State Family Child Care Conference, and we’re preparing our most impactful year yet.

This year’s conference will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Clayton Hall on the University of Delaware’s campus in Newark.

Stay tuned for more details- we promise it will be worth the wait!

A New Kind of Keynote

We’re doing things a little differently for our 5th Annual Family Child Care Conference. Instead of a traditional keynote speaker, we’re creating space for the voices that know this work best: yours!

We’re inviting 3–5 family child care educators to join us as keynote panelists for a featured session. This conversation will highlight your experiences, reflections, and hopes for the future of child care in Delaware.

Why Participate?

Selected panelists will:

  • Share their stories and insights with peers across the state.
  • Help shape meaningful conversations about the field.
  • Receive complimentary conference registration as a thank-you.

Ready to Apply?

Submit your application by April 30, 2026.

Apply to be a panelist at this Year’s Conference
2025 Conference

“Simple Steps, Big Impact”

Check out our 2025 Wrap-up!

DIEEC’s Fourth Annual 1st State Family Child Care Conference

Nadine Benrey

Keynote Speaker

Nadin Benrey is a bilingual National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach with a powerful story of personal transformation and a passion for guiding others toward healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Her mission is to empower others to take charge of their health, find balance, and thrive, no matter where they are starting from. She believes lasting well-being is not about perfection but progress, self-awareness, and personalized choices that honor each individual’s unique circumstances.

Conference photography is courtesy of the University of Delaware, Office of Communication and Marketing.

2024 Conference

“Your Best Self, for Their Best Future”

Julia Semple

Keynote Speaker

Julia Semple is known as the Mystery Pain Eliminator and Illuminator. After years of suffering with baffling symptoms herself, she finally discovered the keys to her own health transformation. She is a licensed massage therapist, certified fitness trainer, and transformational coach. Her mission is simple: To help people feel good in their bodies and get back to living their lives.

Since 2007 she has experienced the joy of helping hundreds of clients unwind from stress and overwhelm, heal injuries, release restrictions, and improve their mood and movements overall. Originally from Delaware, and new to Colorado, she is quickly adapting to the gorgeous scenery, sunshine, and kind people.

Conference photography is courtesy of the University of Delaware, Office of Communication and Marketing.

2023 Conference

“Elevate, Educate, Empower”

A recap of the Second Annual 1st State Family Child Care Conference

Educating, Elevating, and Empowering Family Child Care Educators

Jerletha McDonald

Keynote Speaker

Jerletha McDonald is a social entrepreneur, a family child care business consultant, and a national speaker. Jerletha has a bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Studies with a minor in Early Childhood Intervention from Stephen F. Austin State University. She owned and operated a family child care center, Nurturing Gifts Infant and Toddler Center, for 15 years. Jerletha is the founder of the Arlington DFW Child Care Professionals Association. Jerletha has 20 years of experience in Early Care Childhood Education. Jerletha is the former Senior Manager of Membership and Volunteer Affairs for the National Association for Family Child Care.

In April of 2016, Jerletha was recognized by the Grand Prairie NAACP as one of the Most Influential Women in Business. In 2018, Jerletha was appointed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s Early Learning Council representing family child care providers in Texas. In 2020, Jerletha received the North Texas Early Childhood Leadership Award from Child Care Associates. She has received numerous awards and recognition for business, leadership, and childcare excellence.

2022 Conference

“We Are Family”

DIEEC hosted its inaugural 1st State Family Child Care Conference in support of Delaware’s family child care educators. We learned together, networked, and had so much fun! We’re already thinking about ideas for next year. Home-based child care is a culturally responsive way to provide early education, and we want to support your continued success!

Alexandra Patterson

Alexandra R. Patterson

Keynote Speaker

Director of Policy & Strategy for Home Grown, a national collaborative of funders committed to building quality of and access to home-based child care.

For over 15 years, Alexandra has worked in the early learning sector in a variety of roles including early childhood classroom teacher, case manager and supervisor in Pennsylvania’s QRIS system, professional development and technical assistance instructor and most recently intermediary Director for Philadelphia’s prek program, PHLpreK.

DELAWARE INSTITUTE FOR
EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD

Contact
ecinstitute@udel.edu
302-831-3239