We’re bringing the joy of reading to classrooms across Delaware! Registration for the 2026 Children’s Book Week celebration with DIEEC is officially live now through September 30th. This year, early childhood programs can participate in two ways: EARLY BIRD BONUS: Register by September 8th to be automatically entered into our early bird raffle for an ... Read more
Welcome to the August issue of REACH! Late summer is a vibrant season in early childhood education, and this month is filled with meaningful opportunities to gather, reflect, and celebrate. We are thrilled to invite you to our upcoming DIEEC Block Party on August 18 to tour our brand-new home on the University of Delaware’s ... Read more
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
DELAWARE INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
