Senate Bill 1535 establishes a workgroup by DELC to assess liability insurance costs for child care providers, inviting applications from various provider types until May 29.
May 1, 2026
Senate Bill 1535 asks the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) to bring together a workgroup to look at the cost and availability of liability insurance, along with other liability issues that may impact child care providers. This workgroup will include representatives from DELC and other state agencies, the insurance industry, subject matter experts, and child care providers from all provider types and across regions. This application will remain open through May 29. Selected providers will be notified in June.
DELC is inviting the following types of providers to apply:
On April 22, 2026, the Early Learning Council implemented temporary rules for Inactive Status and Administrative Closures to clarify child care program operations for providers and families.
May 1, 2026
On April 22, 2026, the Early Learning Council adopted temporary rules related to two things: Inactive Status and Administrative Closures. These rules help show whether a child care program is open and serving children. These rules support DELC’s work in making our systems clearer, more consistent and easier for child care providers and families to use. What does this mean for your program?
What does this mean for your program?
Inactive Status. Inactive status is used when a program is not currently providing care. Child care programs are required to notify DELC if there are no children enrolled or attending for 30 consecutive days or more and when the program plans to begin operating again. The program’s license is still active during this time, but the program is marked as “not operating”.
Administrative Closure. Administrative closure is used when DELC has clear evidence that the program is no longer operating. This may happen when there is a confirmed closure, such as an eviction or moving out of the space or multiple failed attempts to contact the program. To start providing care again, the program must submit an application and complete the required initial inspections.
Oregon ELMS, launching in July 2026, will integrate licensing, payments, and services, enhancing collaboration among providers, families, and staff with upcoming training opportunities.
May 1, 2026
Oregon’s Early Learning Management System (Oregon ELMS) is coming soon! This new, modern online system will bring together licensing, provider payments, and service coordination in one place – making it easier for partners, providers, families, and DELC staff to access information, complete tasks, and work together.
As we move closer to launch this summer, we’re excited to share what’s happening now and what you can expect next.
What’s Happening Now?
The project team is making strong progress to ensure Oregon ELMS is ready for a smooth and successful launch. Current work includes:
Making sure information from current systems transfers accurately into Oregon ELMS
Confirming Oregon ELMS works seamlessly with other systems
DELC staff and partners are walking through real tasks and workflows to ensure the system works as expected
Continuing regular check-ins with teams and partners across the state
Optional Training Opportunities Are Coming Soon
We are preparing to begin training! Here is a look-ahead at the training timeframes planned for various groups. The project team is actively working to confirm scheduling details – more information to be communicated soon. Training cohorts with tentative dates are anticipated within the following timeframes:
6/1 – 6/12: DELC Staff
6/15 – 6/18: Partners
6/22 – 7/2: Providers
7/6 – 7/10: Families
We’ll share more details soon, including how to sign up and what to expect. These trainings will help you feel confident using Oregon ELMS from day one. These trainings will be recorded – instructions to watch the recordings will be shared at a later date.
Staying Connected with Providers
The main topic of DELC’s April Provider Information Session was Oregon ELMS. The Information Session presentation slides and recordings are linked below.
We are on track for a July 2026 launch of Oregon ELMS. In the coming weeks, you can expect:
Opportunities to pre-register for your Oregon ELMS account
More details about training and how to participate
Opportunities to preview the system
Continued updates to help you prepare
Oregon ELMS is a big step forward for Oregon’s early learning system. We appreciate your partnership and the role you play in supporting children, families, and providers across the state.
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As we wrap up April, we’re taking a moment to look back at some highlights we shared on our social media channels throughout the month. If you haven’t already, we invite you to follow us on social media!
As we wrap up April, we’re taking a moment to look back at some highlights we shared on our social media channels throughout the month. If you haven’t already, we invite you to follow us on social media! It’s one of the easiest ways to stay up to date on child care resources, early learning news, and opportunities to get involved.
May 2026 Department of Early Learning and Care Updates.
A Message from leadership
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This month’s update from Director Alyssa Chatterjee
I can’t believe April has come to a close! This was a month of connection. In addition to DELC’s annual All Staff, I was lucky to spend a several days on the road and visiting with partners.
Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs
I was able to kick off the month of April on the road, visiting with the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs to visit their Immersion School and Early Childhood Education facilities. Dana Castano and I were treated to a lesson in the Ichishkin language, as well as a cultural dance with the preschoolers in the immersion program. We also got to see the beautiful facilities at the Early Childhood Education program, which houses Early Head Start, Head Start, and child care programming. It was a beautiful visit, and I so appreciate the Tribe for hosting us!
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
Carey and I were able to close out the month visiting the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation with the entire Tribal Affairs Office: Lloyd Commander, Dana Castano, and Dori Houser. We got to visit Lil Turtle Retreat Daycare, which operates on Tribal land to serve the community, and provides care to infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and after school care. DJ and Katlyn shared their commitment to this work and their vision for providing high quality services to the families in the their community.
We also got to visit the beautiful Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center to learn more about the Maternal Child Health supports offered by the Tribe. Ashleah, the Átawišamataš Program Manager and Makiesha, an Átawišamataš Program Home Visitor, shared the innovative ways they are expanding home visiting services through the Family Spirit program, the only evidence based home visiting program that centers Tribal culture, with their federal Tribal MIECHV grant. Thank you so much for hosting us!
Early Learning Hub Gathering
In addition to several Tribal visits, several of us were able to join the Early Learning Hub directors for their Spring Hub Gathering in Pendleton. I was able to spend half a day in conversation about what communities are facing, discuss how the Hubs are a critical player in helping the Legislature understand the importance of early childhood education, and think about creative ways to support initiatives like Every Child Belongs as we prepare for the final cohort to begin services. It was exciting to be able to share physical space and strategic thinking. Thank you for having me!
Transition Ahead
We are always changing and growing at DELC, and with that comes transitions. Our Deputy Director of Operations, Cooper Brown, recently announced that he will be leaving DELC for a position with the Oregon Youth Authority. Cooper joined us at a critical time in our agency’s development – we were still designing DELC and what a new Operations Division would look like. Since then, he has led the critical work that is foundational to everything DELC is responsible for as an agency. An interim Deputy Director of Operations will be announced within the next several weeks while we determine a permanent hiring plan. We will miss Cooper, and wish him well on his next adventure at OYA!
Carey’s Corner: What Am I Reading
I was reading the annual early childhood education workforce survey from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) that found across the country a particularly difficult year of tough choices given the rapidly rising costs for both providers and families and increases in other persistent challenges such as educator burnout and instability. These findings were in contrast to a recent presentation about Oregon’s Baby Promise program, that provides financial sustainability for infant and toddler care in a few regions. It also providing supports that not only improve the quality of care but ameliorate burnout. You can watch the presentation to learn about Baby Promise, hear from families and providers, and see positive data about its successes:
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