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Nominate a Program for Week of the Young Child®
Week of the Young Child® (WOYC) is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). WOYC draws attention to the needs of young children and their families while recognizing programs and services that meet those needs.
As a token of our appreciation, the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) would like to recognize some of these programs. During Week of the Young Child® (April 6-12), five outstanding child care programs will win a visit from the OECOSL Executive Team as well as a Week of the Young Child®-themed kit, brought to you by Lakeshore.
We invite you to nominate a program to be recognized for the incredible work they do for children and families in Indiana. Nominations can be made now through February 23, 2024.
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Become a CDA Professional Development Specialist™
CDA Professional Development (PD) Specialists™ play a critical role in the CDA® assessment process. PD Specialists use early childhood education expertise to assess CDA candidates' competencies and facilitate reflective conversations with the candidates.
There is a need for experienced early childhood professionals to serve as PD Specialists. Becoming a CDA Professional Development Specialist™ may be for you if you enjoy mentoring, coaching, meeting new people, and observing educational environments.
If you are interested in learning more about the PD Specialist role, please join an informational session from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. ET on February 15. Registration is not required — join the session by using this link.
For more information or support, contact a CDA Navigator:
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Improve Classroom Interactions for Early Childhood Educators
Teachstone® and Early Learning Indiana (ELI) are offering infant, toddler, and pre-K early childhood educators free professional development sessions. The series aims to help improve classroom interactions between teachers and students.
The Quality Classroom Interactions Series runs from February 13 through March 8, with multiple sessions offered each week. These short virtual sessions provide actionable content and practical strategies you can use in the classroom. Any early childhood educator or coach is eligible to register.
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Learn About School-Age Child Care Grant
Grant funds are available for school-age child care through the State-funded School-Age Child Care Project fund. The School-Age Child Care Grant (SACC) aims to increase the availability and affordability of high-quality school-age child care for Indiana families. Schools or non-profit organizations (501C3) that are regulated by OECOSL are eligible if they:
- Offer before and after school care or school break care (excluding summer) to children ages 5-14 years old
- Have been operating for at least one full year before applying
Learn more about the SACC Grant through this recorded walkthrough with SPARK Learning Lab's Ericka Gergely.
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Register for Upcoming Indiana Job Board Webinar
Save time and resources by using the Indiana Educator Job Board as a tool in your hiring process. The job board is a partnership of FSSA's Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) and the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE).
The job board aims to provide a strengthened educator pool for children from birth to grade 12. It's simple to sign up, and user support is available. Learn more by attending an upcoming informational webinar hosted by OECOSL and Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children (INAEYC):
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Check Out COVID-19 Federal Funding Report
The Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) released a report detailing how the State leveraged federal COVID-19 funding to support children, families, and providers during and post-pandemic. From March 2020 to February 2021, Indiana received $1.2 billion in federal funding to support child care relief in the wake of the pandemic.
$1.1 billion has been invested across three priority areas:
- Helping early child care and education programs regain stability
- Delivering support for working families
- Building system structure and capacity
Remaining funds have been allocated and must be spent by September 30, 2024, per federal requirements. Read the report to learn more about these investments and the lasting impact this support will have on Hoosier families and communities.
Contact SPARK Help Desk with any questions via phone 1-800-299-1627 or email help@indianaspark.com. Live chat is also available on indianaspark.com or in My SPARK Learning Lab.
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Join Upcoming Trainings with SPARK Learning Lab
This February, explore and grow by attending virtual training sessions.
Be sure not to miss out on the Presidents' Day Virtual Training Extravaganza on February 19.
Virtual Trainings:
Presidents' Day Virtual Training Extravaganza
Plan now for virtual trainings throughout the day on February 19. Staff members can apply what they've learned in these virtual trainings to your unique program.
See a full list of upcoming face-to-face trainings, live webinars and resources, read training descriptions, and find registration instructions by clicking the button below.
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