January 2023

Here at DIEEC, we’re starting January by focusing on partnerships. In addition to the “Early Childhood Partnering Opportunities” we’ve highlighted for you, this month’s “Voices from the Field” spotlights one of our current opportunities to build partnerships – participating in a series of Professional Learning Experiences (PLEs) as part of a cohort.

As we wrap up 2022 this month, it’s a great time to reflect on the year. Take a few moments to recognize everything you’ve accomplished! What are you proud of? What would you like to focus on improving? We took some time to look back as well, and you can see some of our learnings in the wrap-up, reflections, and provider survey articles.

What a busy and exciting month! Today marks the start of Children’s Book Week. We’re looking forward to visiting programs and reading in classrooms. At the end of this week, DIEEC will be hosting our first family child care conference. We can’t wait for the full day of learning, activities, and networking with Delaware’s family childcare educators.

We have some exciting updates in this month’s issue, including further details about our upcoming podcast and some new opportunities for Delaware’s family child care educators. Additionally, you can read a summary from the Department of Education Early Childhood Support team about the next steps for early childhood in Delaware.

In the “Fall Preview” of this month’s newsletter, we’re thrilled to be announcing the return of Children’s Book Week, one of our favorite events. Make sure to sign up to participate! We’re also excited to begin getting the word out for a couple of brand new initiatives, with more to come soon.

Like many during summer, we’re getting outside, but we’re doing it with our professional learning experiences. In the first article of this issue, learn more about the “Let’s Go Outside” initiative, our outreach to provide grants and training so programs can create outdoor spaces and facilitate learning through exploration and play.

Things continue to be busy at DIEEC. Our website now includes all our offerings with content focused on you – the early childhood educator. We will continue to hone the site with your feedback to ensure it serves your needs.

Welcome to summer! We understand that summer presents a new set of circumstances with more time outside, field trips, and in many cases, a change of routine for your families. To this end, check out our social media content and Coach’s Corner, our monthly blog, for helpful summer safety tips.

Welcome to a special issue of REACH dedicated to provider appreciation. Although May 6 is officially Provider Appreciation Day, we’re celebrating you the entire month because of your impact and tireless commitment to your work. We kick off the month with an opportunity for you to nominate the early childhood educator of the year.

April kicks off an important couple of months for the early childhood community. This week, DIEEC is celebrating the “Week of the Young Child’, NAEYC’s initiative that designates a week to celebrate early learning, young children, their teachers, families, and communities.