1st State Family Child Care Conference

1st State Family Child Care Conference

1st State Family Child Care Conference

Registration is Now Open!

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.

register here

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A New Kind of Keynote

This year’s keynote session, Deep Roots, Bright Futures: Stories from Delaware’s Family Child Care Leaders, facilitated by DIEEC’s Susan Lewis, will feature a panel of Delaware family child care providers sharing their experiences, reflections, and insights from the field- honoring the wisdom already growing within Delaware’s family child care community. Through a moderated conversation, panelists will reflect on the past several years by celebrating milestones and meaningful moments in their programs, discussing how they stay grounded during challenging seasons, and sharing their hopes for the future of family child care. Audience members will have opportunities to engage in the conversation, highlighting the collective wisdom and experiences of providers in attendance.

Meet our 2026 Panelists!

Jessica Arce

Nature’s Habitat Academy

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Jessica Arce is the owner of Nature’s Habitat Academy, a dual-language family child care program. With more than 18 years in early childhood education and 12 years as a business owner, she brings a perspective to the panel shaped by devotion and resilience.

Her journey into family child care began as a single mother who took a brave “leap of faith.” She invested her 401(k) savings to open a program that would allow her to care for her son, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, while supporting her family financially. What began as a way to care for her own family grew into a thriving business. “Looking back,” she says, “I am proud not only that my business survived, but that it became a place where children and families feel supported, valued, and loved.” Jessica strives to create a nurturing environment where children can learn through play, exploration, meaningful experiences, and exposure to nature. She believes families are partners in raising children and that, together, they help build the foundation for a child’s future success: “Seeing the positive impact my dedication and love have had on families over the years has been one of the greatest rewards of my career, especially having my first students visit me and building friendships with previous families.”

Jessica’s commitment deepened even further as she navigated the devastating loss of her oldest son to suicide. Central to her ability to move forward was her relationship with her Quality Improvement Specialist and her experience with DIEEC’s Shining the Light on You initiative, a program designed to help educators prioritize their own well-being. Through key trainings and mentorship, Jessica found the vital encouragement, connection, and tools that helped her navigate immense grief, learn to care for herself, and continue serving the children and families who depend on her. “Those experiences showed me the power of relationships, mentorship, and investing in ourselves as professionals. We pretty much have this support at our doors; we just have to open it,” Jessica says. 

The support Jessica received inspired her to look beyond her immediate challenges and envision a greater future for herself and for the profession. Keynote attendees will resonate with Jessica’s warmth and her passion for helping other providers recognize their strengths, overcome challenges, and reach their full potential. 

Shaun Mullan-Wright

Sunshine Children’s House

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Shaun Mullan-Wright, a dedicated early childhood educator and mother of four boys, is the owner of Sunshine Children’s House in Middletown, Delaware. Shaun brings a lifelong passion to the stage: Her journey in early childhood education began at age 15, when she worked as a summer assistant in a family child care program, and she has spent more than 13 years as a family child care provider, creating nurturing environments where children and families can thrive.

Inspired by the meaningful relationships and lasting impact of family-based care, she has demonstrated her commitment to continuous growth by attaining an associate’s degree in early childhood education; she is currently working toward her bachelor’s degree at Wilmington University. Passionate about outdoor learning, Shaun credits her participation in Outdoor Wonders and DIEEC’s Let’s Go Outside with transforming her perspective on early childhood education and shaping the direction of her program. She is committed to creating meaningful, nature-based learning experiences that foster curiosity, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning in young children. 

In addition to her passion for outdoor learning, Shaun brings an advocacy-driven perspective to the keynote panel. She is a champion for the belief that family child care plays a vital role in supporting young children and their families, offering a unique, safe, and nurturing environment where children can grow, learn, and flourish while developing a strong sense of belonging and community. Her work is rooted in the belief that strong relationships, individualized care, and meaningful learning experiences help lay the foundation for future success.

As one of the first family child care providers to serve as a state-funded early care and education partner in Delaware, Shaun is now proud to help expand access to high-quality early learning opportunities. She hopes her involvement will help create greater opportunities, recognition, and support for family child care providers throughout the state.

Marlette Lofland

Mrs. Marlette’s Colorful World Daycare

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Marlette Lofland has been a devoted family child care educator for 22 years and is the proud owner of Mrs. Marlette’s Colorful World Daycare in Bridgeview, DE. Her program’s mission is to provide a loving, trusting, and safe environment that welcomes diverse families. Inspired by her mother’s compassion and dedication to caring for her family and others, Marlette brings vibrance and a wealth of experience to this year’s panel. As she says, “the love of caring for children is a deep-rooted passion that will never go away if I have breath in this young body.”

Marlette’s program offers rich, hands on learning experiences in warm indoor and outdoor spaces. A unique part of her program is the annual garden, grown with the help of children and their families. They harvest fruits and vegetables to enjoy at home and to share with the community, reflecting her commitment to giving back. Marlette strives to have families look back on their time with her with the “warm, cherished” feeling that her program helped their child achieve “whatever dreams they dared to dream.”

Marlette considers her educational milestones to be among the greatest accomplishments of her early childhood journey. She earned her associate’s degree in early childhood education, and later completed her bachelor’s of science in early childhood education. There were times when she had to pause her studies to care for her family and manage her business, but she says, “I never gave up and kept my eye on the prize. Having both degrees is a dream come true. I just wish my father were here to see it, but I know he sees everything and is with me always.”

Keynote attendees will be inspired by Marlette’s perseverance, focus on building community, and commitment to helping others understand the important role family child care educators play in the community.

Conference Transportation Options

Transportation to and from the conference will be available for attendees residing in Kent and Sussex Counties who would prefer not to drive. Seating is limited and advance registration is required.

Important: Please arrive at your selected bus stop at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time. The bus must depart on schedule and cannot wait for late arrivals, as doing so would delay other attendees.

Morning Departure Schedule

  • 6:00 a.m. – First Baptist Church, 20304 North DuPont Hwy, Georgetown
  • 6:45 a.m. – Shore Stop, 8953 S. Dupont Highway, Felton
  • 8:00–8:15 a.m. – Arrival at Clayton Hall, Newark

Return Trip Schedule

  • 4:45–5:00 p.m. – Departure from Clayton Hall, Newark
  • Stop 1: Shore Stop, 8953 S. Dupont Highway, Felton
  • Stop 2: First Baptist Church, 20304 North DuPont Hwy, Georgetown

Conference Lodging

Planning your stay for the conference? Take advantage of our exclusive group rate at the Courtyard by Marriott Newark-University of Delaware

Special Rate: $209.00 USD per night

Rooms Available for the Nights of: Friday, October 16 and Saturday October 17, 2026

Book by September 16, 2026, to receive the special rate!

Book your room

Interested in Supporting This Year’s Conference?

event partnership packet sign up here
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.