We are looking forward to seeing you November 16th at the CHEER Community Center in Georgetown, Delaware!

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Meet our 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. In her free time you can find her salsa dancing, or practicing with her ladies dance team. She also enjoys live music, stand-up comedy and is a closeted karaoke singer.

2023 Conference

A Recap of the Second Annual 1st State Family Child Care Conference

On a rainy, fall Saturday morning, family child care educators from all across Delaware gathered at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware, for a day of learning, networking, and growth at the 1st State Family Child Care Conference: Educate, Elevate, Empower. This conference, held on October 14th, 2023, was a resounding success, drawing over 170 family child care educators.

The Chase Center provided the perfect backdrop for this educational event. As attendees filed in, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement, as educators and exhibitors alike looked forward to a day of collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Continue reading here..

Image courtesy of Jerletha McDonald

Keynote Speaker:

Jerletha McDonald

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 Car

2022 Conference

Thank you for a great first conference.

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!

2022 Special Guest Speaker

Alexandra R. Patterson

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.

Alexandra holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware in Early Childhood Education and a master’s degree in Education from Bank Street College in New York City.

  • Welcome bags stacked on table at conference entrance.
  • Participants check in for conference
  • Participants and speakers pose in front of a banner for the conference.
  • Two conference attendees check in.
  • Speaker giving a presentation to the group
  • Rena Hallem speaks to the conference attendees.
  • Speaker address the first state family conference
  • First State Family Child Care Conference attendees pose outside the main conference room.
  • First State Family Child Care Conference attendees pose around a table.
  • First State Family Child Care participants have discussion at a table.
  • First State Family Child Care Conference main room.
  • Attendee receives a door prize.
  • Attendees seated at a circular table at the First State Famliy Child Care Conference.
  • Attendees fill out a Memory Walk poster.
  • Panoramic picture of the main conference room at the First State Family Child Care Conference
  • Door prize table at the First State Family Child Care Conference.
  • Speaker gives a presentation in front of large screen at the First State Family Child Care Conference.
  • Conference participant exits bus in front of conference center.
  • Sign for Virden Conference Center in Lewes, DE