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Office of Early Childhood & Out-of-School Learning |
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Find Peace with the Calm App
Providers jump through hoops to deliver the best education for their children. But at the end of the day, you can't pour it from an empty cup. Practicing self-care through the Calm app is a great way for providers to fill up their cup and be the best version of themselves.
What you can find inside the Calm app:
- Curated meditations
- Breathing techniques
- Relaxing music
- And more
This offer is eligible to individuals who work, own, or volunteer in an Indiana-based early childhood education or out-of-school care program. Fill out this short form and enjoy your premium subscription until Feb. 2026.
Have questions? Contact the SPARK Help Desk at 800-299-1627, email Help@IndianaSpark.com, or visit the "Chat with an Expert" feature at IndianaSpark.com.
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Know What Changed on July 1: Key Updates for Providers
New legislative changes affecting child care programs officially went into effect on July 1, 2025.
If you haven't already, take a moment to:
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Review the updated requirements for TB testing, pediatric CPR/first aid training, group size and licensing
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Review the Frequently Asked Questions to help you prepare staff and update procedures
These changes apply to a wide range of provider types, including centers, homes, ministries and school-based programs, and may affect compliance and staffing.
Have questions? Contact your licensing consultant or program specialist for support.
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Learn Strategies to Elevate Your Behavior Management Skills
Indiana Afterschool Network's (IAN) Trailblazer Series is back with a two-part virtual training designed to help afterschool and summer program staff build stronger, more supportive environments for youth.
The content is designed to be interactive, grounded in evidence-based practices and immediately useful.
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Part 1: Build Self-Awareness | Thursday, July 17 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET: Explore how your own emotions, habits, and biases shape your interactions and how to manage them in real time.
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Part 2: Take Action | July 24 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET: Apply what you've learned to real-world scenarios from your program. Walk away with scripts, routines and tools tailored to your setting. Interactive. Evidence-based. Immediately useful.
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Keeping Children Safe
What are you doing to ensure the safety of your children? Keeping the children in your care safe and supervised is the backbone of Early Childhood Education.
Join "Keeping Children Safe: Supervision, Tracking, and Follow Through" training on Monday, July 21 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET. This in-person session at Clark-Pleasant Early Learning Center (2111 Sheek Rd., Greenwood, IN 46143, Johnson County) will give you the tools to better support and supervise the children in your care.
In this training, you'll learn six key strategies, learn how to set up a space that helps track and supervise children, discover tools that support smooth transitions, and talk about how leadership plays a part in keeping supervision strong.
Have questions? Contact the SPARK Help Desk at 800-299-1627, email Help@IndianaSpark.com, or visit the "Chat with an Expert" feature at IndianaSpark.com.
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Register for SPARK Group Coaching Opportunities
The final deadlines for SPARK Group Coaching are here. Each group coaching opportunity is 2-3 months long and provides an excellent environment to learn and discuss topics relevant to your program with a SPARK coach and a small group of colleagues.
Learn and grow in a collaborative environment with like-minded providers on similar paths to improving their programs with high-quality care and education. Join us and take your program to the next level. Register now at IndianaSpark.com/cohorts.
Remaining Group Coaching Deadlines:
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Active Supervision for Facilities: July 14 (today)
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PTQ Level 2 Advancement for Facilities: July 14 (today)
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NECPA: July 15 (tomorrow)
Have questions about SPARK Group Coaching? Reach out to the SPARK Help Desk at 800-299-1627, Help@indianaspark.com, or use the "Chat with an Expert" feature on IndianaSpark.com.
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Join INAEYC for Professional Development Opportunities
The Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children (INAEYC) has several upcoming opportunities for child care providers.
Workforce Learning Opportunities
Join INAEYC's Workforce Systems Team for the following sessions:
Apply for 2025-2026 CDA® Credential Course
INAEYC is pleased to announce the availability of the Child Development Associate (CDA®) credential course through the Indiana Non-Formal Project for the 2025-2026 calendar year. Classes will begin in August and September. Find eligibility requirements and application packet here.
Please ensure the following is included with your completed application packet:
- Copy of center license or early childhood program license
- Copy of your most recent 30 days of income/two paystubs from the last 30 days
- Copy of your driver's license or state issued ID card (Indiana)
- Copy of your high school diploma or HSE certificate/GED certificate
- Family Child Care Home Owners must submit the first two pages of their 2024 1040 Tax Form and the 2024 Schedule C Tax Form
Submit the complete application packet as one PDF to NFCDAApps@inaeyc.org. Please do not send individual pictures or emails with each document. Contact INAEYC at pd@inaeyc.org with any questions.
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Attend Upcoming SPARK Learning Lab Trainings
Explore upcoming training opportunities through SPARK Learning Lab. See a full list of upcoming face-to-face training, live webinars, and live resources, plus read training descriptions and find registration instructions at IndianaSpark.com/training.
This week's training schedule includes:
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