DIEEC Archives

From Seeds to Success: Celebrating Year Two of Let’s GROW Outside!

Like any flourishing garden, true professional growth takes time, care, and a lot of shared wisdom. In June, DIEEC staff, child care educators, and Delaware Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners gathered to mark the culmination of the second Let’s GROW Outside! cohort. Funded through a continuing collaboration between DIEEC and the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE), ... Read more

Meet The 2026 Excellence in Early Childhood Award Winners!

In this month’s Provider Spotlight, we introduce the inspiring educators who were winners or runners-up in our 2026 DIEEC Excellence in Early Childhood Awards initiative. Through responsive teaching, deep family partnerships, and peer mentorship, they are building the supportive communities our children need to grow and thrive. Discover their stories and celebrate their impact.

Staff Spotlight: Introducing DIEEC’s New Outreach Manager, Jessica DeWese

Familiar Face, New Role If you’ve attended a professional learning experience or participated in a DIEEC initiative over the last few years, chances are you’ve met Jessica DeWese. As a former Professional Development Coordinator, Jessica has spent the past several years delivering key DIEEC initiatives like Let’s GROW Outside!, Let’s Go Outside, Pyramid Model, Early ... Read more

Nominations for the DIEEC Excellence in Early Childhood Awards are now open!

The DIEEC Excellence in Early Childhood Awards are back for their 5th anniversary in 2026

DIEEC Leadership Board Member, Lori Hansen Named Teacher of the Year

DIEEC is proud to highlight the outstanding work of Lori Hansen, who was recently named the Indian River School District’s Early Learning Center 2025–2026 Teacher of the Year. With nearly three decades of experience in early childhood education, Lori brings a blend of expertise, joy, and commitment to her classroom. The feature article celebrates Lori’s ... Read more

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

On Saturday, October 11, the Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood (DIEEC) welcomed family child care professionals from across Delaware to the fourth annual 1st State Family Child Care Conference. The conference was held on the University of Delaware’s Newark campus at the Clayton Hall Conference Center.

Focus on Wellness: PANO Funding Fosters Health for Children and Educators

DIEEC recently concluded a successful series of activities focused on Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity prevention (PANO), funded by the PANO Program of the Delaware Division of Public Health. This initiative underscores a key DIEEC-wide priority: promoting the health and well-being of not only the children in early care and education settings, but also the ... Read more

Heidi Beck Honored as Hilltop Hero

The Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Center in Wilmington, DE, celebrated its inaugural Hilltop Heroes gala on September 20. One of the honorees was our own Heidi Beck, a leader whose career has been shaped by her deep connection to the Hilltop community. Currently serving as director of New Directions Early Head Start and interim co-director of ... Read more

STLOY LT Governors Challenge Award Presentation

The Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood is a Delaware Health Hero

DIEEC Wins Lt. Governor’s Challenge In recognition of their commitment to the well-being of the Delaware early childhood community, the Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood (DIEEC) was designated as a Delaware Health Hero through the 2023 Lt. Governor’s Challenge! With a mission to improve the quality of life of all Delawareans, the Lt. ... Read more

August 2026