When Diana Mercado applied to DIEEC’s Let’s GROW Outside! initiative on behalf of Pirulo’s Child Care and Learning Center, she saw a great educational opportunity for the children. However, she also had another motivation: self-care. Diana is the early childhood administrator at Pirulo’s, a bilingual program that serves children from ages 1 to 5. Founded … Read more
The Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood (DIEEC) is delighted to honor Madison Hogsten from Indian River Early Learning Center as the winner of the inaugural 2025 Excellence in Early Childhood Awards in the Early Career Educator category. This award recognizes educators who, early in their careers, are already making a significant impact and demonstrating immense promise for … Read more
The Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood (DIEEC) is pleased to recognize Shakira Waples, of Next Generation Childcare, as the runner-up for the 2025 Excellence in Early Childhood Awards in the family child care educator category. With 15 years of experience in the early childhood field, Shakira’s path to becoming a family child care educator allowed her … Read more
The Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood (DIEEC) is thrilled to recognize Stacy Morgan, of Little Bit of Sunshine Learning Academy, as the winner of the 2025 Excellence in Early Childhood Awards in the family child care educator category. Stacy’s journey into early childhood education began with a background in babysitting and church nursery care. She then … Read more
The Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood (DIEEC) is proud to recognize Tara Chetty, a dedicated educator at St. David’s Episcopal Day School in Wilmington, as the runner-up for the 2025 Excellence in Early Childhood Awards in the center-based educator category. With 21 years of experience in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) field, Tara brings a wealth of … Read more
The Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood (DIEEC) is honored to celebrate Ashley Avelleyra, a dedicated educator at Kids Cottage, as the winner of the 2025 Excellence in Early Childhood Awards in the center-based educator category. With 10 years of experience in the early childhood field, Ashley’s journey into early childhood education was affirmed during her time … Read more
Sharon McPhatter’s journey in early childhood education is one that exemplifies dedication and growth. Sharon initially started a small program in response to her own children’s needs, but what began as a solution for her family blossomed into a lifelong career. “I ended up adoring it,” Sharon recalls. Over 25 years, she’s transformed her passion … Read more
In the world of early childhood education, staffing challenges are nothing new, but at A. S. Academy of Learning 2, leadership is addressing recruitment and retention head-on. Owner Shannon Moody brings a deep understanding of the importance of supporting staff to create a thriving program. This year, she’s using the Quality Improvement process to develop her … Read more
Seventeen years ago, when Jessica Arce’s daughter was in preschool at the Latin American Community Center in Wilmington, Jessica was a regular volunteer. That volunteering role turned into a paid job at the community center, and she later worked at a local Montessori preschool as well. When a medical issue in her family led her … Read more
Ask family child care (FCC) educator Tredena Trott if she has any advice for FCC colleagues who are thinking about attending DIEEC’s 1st State Family Child Care Conference this year, and her response is simple: “GO!” Being the only adult in your workplace can be challenging. The conference is an opportunity to meet and connect … Read more
DELAWARE INSTITUTE FOR
EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
