Family Child Care Educator’s Plan for Professional Development Goal – Completing Quorum

Spotlight on the Professional Learning Experience

We are taking a different approach to this issue’s “Voices from the Field” installment. We are hearing from early childhood educators recently taking the DIEEC professional learning experience (PLE), “The Business of Early Childhood: Leadership Cohort.” This PLE series brought together leaders in the field to build skills to help improve the quality and culture … Read more

DIEEC and Just in Time Learning Academy Partner for Long-Term Success

Molly White’s passion is providing families with a child care experience that fits the learning needs of each child while supporting the family, ultimately building community. To fulfill her vision, Molly opened her center in Milford during the pandemic’s beginning in the spring of 2020. But according to Molly, the opening was “just in time” … Read more

Christina Cultural Arts Center – Early Childhood Education Arts Academy

Market Street is a hub for Wilmington’s cultural assets, with The Grand, The Queen, and the Playhouse on Rodney Square all located on five city blocks. Anchoring this lineup is the Christina Cultural Arts Center (CCAC), an integrated arts and academic program that uses the power of art to promote school success for Wilmington’s youth, … Read more

Celebrating the CDA Credential

About nine months ago, more than 90 early childhood education professionals began a journey to receive their CDA credentials by participating in a cohort facilitated by DIEEC professional development coordinators. The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential represents a pathway to learning best practices for early childhood educators. More than 40 completed their portfolios after participating … Read more

“Let’s Go Outside” Takes Off

Did you know that the average child spends up to 44 hours a week on a screen and less than ten minutes a day playing outdoors?! DIEEC’s Learning Environments team and the University of Delaware Lab School are partnering with early childhood programs through the “Let’s Go Outside” initiative. Together, they are determined to reverse … Read more

Lil’ Red Hen Nursery and Pre-School

Lil’ Red Hen Nursery and Pre-School in Delmar, Del., has the special distinction of serving both Maryland and Delaware. Located on the border of these states, this center has created one big community through its work in providing quality care to generations of these neighboring areas. This community is what motivates Anne Atkinson, owner/administrator, to … Read more

Week of the Young Child

DIEEC, in partnership with the University of Delaware Lab School hosted “The Heart of Early Childhood Education: Teaching Social and Emotional Resilience in Young Children” panel discussion on April 6, 2022. Early childhood advocates came together to discuss and reflect on the critical need for young children to develop the skills to be resilient. Nefertiti … Read more

Bayhealth Child Care & Early Learning Center

Brenda Kibler, Bayhealth Child Care & Early Learning Center director, and Laurie DeZao, curriculum coordinator, are creating a movement. “My mission is for child care providers to be considered as professional as any teacher,” said Brenda. “I just need the world to know that we are critical and not a babysitter.” Their roadmap for this … Read more