Policy and Program Updates
OECOSL Messaging Transition
Following the delivery of this newsletter, the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) is migrating its email and text communications to a new vendor. There may be a delay in our ability to send text messages as we transition. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact 211 or email OECOSL provider support at OECOSLproviderinquiry@fssa.in.gov.
Moving forward, emails from OECOSL, including the Monthly Must Know, will come from a new email address: INChildCare@subscription.in.gov. We recommend adding this email to your address book today.
Please check your spam and junk folders over the course of the next two weeks to ensure no important messages have been filtered out of your inbox.
Child Care Management System Contract Changes
The two-year contracts for the state-approved Child Care Management System (CCMS) vendors that the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) offered in April 2024 are set to expire at the end of March 2026.
If you are using a CCMS vendor (Brightwheel, Playground, or Early Learning Ventures) through one of the free subscriptions offered by OECOSL, expect to hear from your CCMS vendor soon.
Vendors will begin contacting providers through email, phone calls, and in-app notifications to help review your options for when these contracts end. Your CCMS vendor should offer the following:
- A price quote that you will be charged if you wish to continue your subscription at the state's discounted price.
- A billing plan and payment options so you can continue services with no interruptions.
- Answers to any questions that you have about continuing services.
If you are signed up for a CCMS vendor but not currently using the service and you wish to cancel, please be sure to do so before the end of this month so that you are not charged.
If you choose to end your service, your vendor will share the last day you can submit attendance through your CCMS before switching to the Provider Portal. You will need to make this change to the Provider Portal; it will not happen automatically.
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Provider Resources and Tools
On My Way Pre-K Resources
Spring is around the corner, and planning for the 2026–2027 On My Way Pre-K (OMWPK) year is underway. The Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) remains committed to OMWPK and to supporting the providers who make high-quality pre-k possible for Indiana families.
Key program parameters for 2026–2027 include:
- Statewide enrollment cap of 2,500
- Eligibility for families earning below 135% of the Federal Poverty Level
- Vouchers begin when pre-k programming starts (typically July or August)
- Annual maximum voucher amount of $6,800
OECOSL offers tools and assistance to help programs operate smoothly and reduce administrative burden:
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Direct assistance: Providers may contact OECOSL at Pre-K@fssa.IN.gov.
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Online resources: Updated FAQs, training materials, and program guidance coming soon on OECOSL's website.
Enrollment is expected to open in early April. In the coming weeks, watch for updated 2026–2027 family-facing materials and talking points to share with staff and families, including reminders about documentation and staying connected with the local Eligibility Office.
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Professional Development and Events
2026 Indiana Early Childhood Conference
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Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children encourages all providers and system partners to register for the 2026 Early Childhood Conference in Indianapolis on May 15 and 16! Learn about the conference and register online today. |
Child Development Associate Credential Webinar
Interested in learning more about the Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential?
CDA Navigators at Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children (INAEYC) are here to help every step of the way. The CDA is the most widely recognized credential in the field of early childhood education and the "best first step," empowering early childhood educators with greater knowledge and advanced skills.
Register below for an upcoming webinar and join INAEYC CDA Navigators to learn about:
- How to earn a CDA Credential through the CDA Council
- CDA Training Programs and Scholarships Available at INAEYC
- Important Updates and Changes from the CDA Council, including the new CDA Credentialing Decision Process and Electronic Portfolio
INAEYC is hosting informational webinars on March 26 at 1 p.m. ET and March 31 at 7 p.m. ET. Training certificates will be available. Contact INAEYC CDA Navigators Tory Brinson (tbrinson@inaeyc.org) or Tonya Thompson (tthompson@inaeyc.org) if you have any questions.
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Message from Director Adam Alson
As I've spoken with child care businesses, philanthropy leaders, local governments, employers, and state lawmakers this year, one thing most parties agree on is that child care is not separate from our economy; it is part of the infrastructure that makes Indiana work.
The research continues to reinforce what providers and families already know from experience. When child care is unstable, unavailable, or unaffordable, the effects are felt immediately by working parents, employers, and communities. And when providers have the support they need to operate and grow, that stability strengthens not only families, but local economies as well.
At the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning, we are taking that seriously. As we have met with partners across the state, we have been listening closely and looking for practical ways to support this infrastructure — through the programs we administer, the policies we help inform, and the partnerships we build. That work is ongoing, and it reflects a shared understanding that strong early childhood systems support both today's workforce and Indiana’s future.
— Adam Alson
Director, Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning
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