Oregon proclaims April 6-12, 2024, to be the Week of the Young Child
The Department of Early Learning and Care, in conjunction with the Early Learning Council, the Oregon Association of the Education of Young Children, the Early Childhood Coalition, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children, are celebrating the Week of the Young Child April 6-12, 2024.
What is the Week of the Young Child?
The Week of the Young Child recognizes the importance of the earliest years of a child life. The National Association for the Education of Young Children says on their website that:
“The Week of the Young Child® is a time to recognize that children’s opportunities are our responsibilities, and to recommit ourselves to ensuring that each and every child experiences the type of early environment—at home, at child care, at school, and in the community—that will promote their early learning. “
At DELC, we are committed to supporting Oregon’s communities by managing various programs that create opportunities for high-quality, low-cost, safe spaces for Oregon’s youngest children to receive early learning education and care. Families receive support through DELC’s family support programs as well, recognizing and celebrating parents and caregivers as the first teachers in a child’s life.
Along with our partners, we celebrate The Week of the Young Child to highlight the importance of this work that occurs every day.
Please celebrate with us on social media this week! Follow our Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Feedback Opportunity:
Child Care Development Fund State Plan: Fiscal Years 2025 – 2027
Your feedback is valuable to us!
Every three years, Oregon must submit its application for federal child care funding. This application is called the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) State Plan, and it serves as a reflection of Oregon’s child care and early learning policies and processes. The next CCDF State Plan is due to the Administration for Children and Families on July 1, 2024 and takes effect on October 1, 2024.
The Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) is the CCDF Lead Agency for Oregon. DELC has been conducting engagement sessions that are being used to develop DELC’s first Agency Strategic Plan and to inform the initial draft of the next version of Oregon’s CCDF State Plan.
The CCDF State Plan for Fiscal Years 2025-2027 will be posted here on May 1, 2024 for public comment and review.
DELC will be hosting three information sessions to discuss the sections of the new state plan draft at the following dates and times:
- May 7, 2024, 12-1pm
- May 14, 2024, 6-7pm
- May 15, 2024, 6-7pm
These information sessions will be held in a webinar format on DELC’s YouTube page that will also be recorded and available on DELC’s website for viewing should members of the public not be able to attend for these dates.
In addition, DELC will host a public hearing regarding the CCDF State Plan draft on June 5, 2024, from 6-7pm. This public hearing will be streaming live on DELC’s YouTube page and will be available via recording following the hearing. To sign up to provide public comment or to provide written public comment, please contact Jordan.pargeter@delc.oregon.gov by May 30, 2024.
For assistance with translation, interpretation, or other accessibility needs, please contact Jordan.pargeter@delc.oregon.gov by May 30, 2024.
Available on Friday April 12, 2024:
Micro-Center Pilot Program open application
During the 2023 legislative session, Senate Bill 1040 passed requiring the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) to create a Micro-Center Pilot Program. This bill aims to create a sustainable framework for small capacity child care programs serving fewer than 30 children, ensuring high-quality learning opportunities across the state.
This opportunity is open to any small capacity child care program across the state that meets the eligibility criteria!
The Department of Early Learning and Care will open the application to join the Micro-Center Pilot program on Friday, April 12, 2024. Interested providers can visit the For Providers portion of the DELC website to learn more. The information will not be available before that date.
Introducing BuildUp Oregon – Expanding Access to Child Care!
BuildUp Oregon will provide facilities funding and expert guidance to providers, child care centers, and affordable housing developers looking to preserve or increase slots in either Multnomah County’s Preschool for All program, or a facility co-located within affordable housing anywhere in the state. You can learn more at BuildUpOregon.org.
We invite you to sign up for our upcoming informational webinars in English and in Spanish, where you can learn more about BuildUp Oregon and how to get involved:
Wednesday, April 17 a 6 p.m.
Empowering Oregon’s Child Care Providers with BuildUp OregonJueves, 18 de abril, 6 p.m.
Potenciando a los Socios de Cuidado Infantil de Oregón con BuildUp Oregon para Proveedores
REMINDER: Have you tried to create a new child care program? How about expand your current one? Please share your thoughts on your experience in this survey!
We are seeking input from child care providers of all kinds across Oregon. This survey will collect feedback from child care providers who have experience going through the development process for a new or expanded child care business. We also need to hear from providers who have thought about or attempted opening a new business or expanding an existing one but decided not to move forward with the process for any reason.
Input from our child care providers is essential to making this project a success.
Who is managing this survey, and why?
The 2023 Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 2727 directing the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) to take a look at strategies for expanding early learning and care facilities across Oregon. A large portion of this work includes a review of the barriers related to zoning regulations, building codes, and permitting and procedures.
DLCD has hired ECOnorthwest to conduct research, engage with the community, and prepare a final report alongside a project work group formed with help from the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC). The final report will include recommendations to:
- Reduce barriers to expanding early care and education (ECE) facilities.
- Support the expansion of ECE facilities in Oregon.
- Reduce disproportionate racial and regional disparities in accessing ECE facilities.
A link to the survey is provided below. Thank you in advance for your participation!
RESPONSE DEADLINE: April 15, 2024
Click here to complete the survey!
REMINDER: Please join our Employee Related Day Care (ERDC) Rulemaking Committee (RAC)
The Department of Early Learning and Care is seeking applicants for the Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) Rulemaking Committee (RAC).
The ERDC program helps families who are working, in school, or receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) pay for child care.
DELC is seeking diverse voices to represent families, child care providers, including those who accept subsidy; child care provider unions, Child Care Resource and Referral agencies, Early Learning Hubs, early learning system community partners, tribal nations, the Early Learning Council, and community-based organizations.
Apply today to give input on the ERDC program!
We are seeking diverse voices to represent groups within Oregon’s Early Learning system. Committee members may include:
- Families
- Child Care Providers, including those who accept subsidy
- Child Care Provider Union representatives
- Child Care Resource & Referral representatives
- Early Learning Hub representatives
- Representatives from advocacy organizations
- Representatives from culturally specific, community-based organizations
- Tribal Nations representatives
Participants will be reimbursed for their time dedicated to this RAC and will positively impact Oregon’s children, families, early learning programs, and communities.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 19, 2024
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?
Please contact Jennifer Heras 503-569-0546, jennifer.j.heras@delc.oregon.gov
REMINDER: Registered Family Child Care Providers can now declare operating hours
In mid-March, letters were sent to Registered Family (RF) Child Care Providers by mail and email, regarding how to declare operating hours for their programs. If you are a Registered Family Child Care Provider and would like to declare your operating hours, please contact your licensing specialists or CCLD customer service at CCLD.customerservice@delc.oregon.gov.
Reminder: A message from our partners at the Oregon Department of Education (ODE):
Register for Kindergarten Today!
Registering for kindergarten in the spring is a great way for families to access important resources, meet students and staff at their new school community, and learn about summer programs.
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) are collaborating with schools, districts, early learning providers, and community partners across the state to share the value of early registration to families.
You can support this effort by printing and distributing flyers, yard signs, and other helpful materials found in the Register for Kindergarten Today! Toolkit. These materials are translated in eight languages and supplement conversations with families about early registration and the transition into kindergarten.
What is the next step? Beginning April 2, 2024, please share this important message with your network and families: Will your student be five years old by September? Register for Kindergarten Today!
Questions? Email ODE.JumpStart@ode.oregon.gov
Reminder: Feedback Survey
The Child Care Licensing Division (CCLD) is seeking your input on upcoming revisions to the Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) that impact family child care homes. This includes rules for Registered Family and Certified Family providers. CCLD is interested in knowing which rules you would like to see changed and why. Please provide us with your thoughts. CCLD values your input!
Click the link to take the survey: https://delc.jotform.com/233554321706048