Division of Early Childhood

TUESDAY TIDBITS

We are pleased to announce that registration is now open for our rescheduled and expanded School Readiness Symposium “A Window into Maryland’s Early Learning Standards.”  We hope that you will join us on April 9, 2024, at Turf Valley Resort for this look into the Early Learning Standards. Note: this is a venue change from the January date. Our panel of speakers will be highlighting the process of developing the Standards as well as participating in a facilitated conversation about implementing them most effectively in a variety of ECE settings. In addition to the keynote presentation, participants will attend two interactive workshops designed to provide an opportunity to actively explore the standards within a specified domain. Each workshop will be facilitated by one of WestEd’s content area specialists.  Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of the conversation! All registration will be online: https://www.readyatfive.org/events. Details regarding payment options (credit card, check, or purchase order) will be found on the registration form on our website. Registration deadline is March 25, 2024. IF YOU ALREADY REGISTERED FOR THE JANUARY 17TH SYMPOSIUM AND YOU FILLED OUT OUR SURVEY COMMITTING TO THE APRIL 9TH DATE YOU DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER AGAIN.

Scaling the Expansion of Judy Center Early Learning Hubs

Please save the date and join us for an online panel discussion on Friday, March 8th, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. MSDE will host representatives from Baltimore City and Frederick, Cecil, Prince George's Garrett, and Kent counties.  These Local Education Agencies will share how they have successfully scaled Judy Center Early Learning Hubs in their jurisdictions.  

Topics will include:

Child Care Scholarship Open Office Hours

Join us for the open office hours of the Child Care Scholarship program! Our MSDE staff members are ready to assist both enrolled families and dedicated child care providers with any questions about applications, payments, or managing a Scholarship account.

March 19, 2024

12:00-1:00 PM

January 9, 2024 Child Portal Session Recording

• Provider Session

January 30, 2024 Child Care Portal Session Recording

• Provider Session

Push to Pre-K Sessions

Do you want to grow your child care business?  Are you looking to access State prekindergarten grants next school year? Please review the recordings for "Push to Pre-K," our initiative aimed at equipping child care providers with the necessary tools to access State prekindergarten grants. Maryland EXCELS Participation – Recording Available Licensing Requirements – Recording Available Components of an Educational Program, Defining High-Quality Pre-K, & Finding Qualified Staff Members – Recording Available Grant Writing Tips – Recording Available

Have a bachelor's degree? Want to teach Pre-K in your FCC home?

ASPIRE PreK is a multi-year program to help FCC providers learn to implement state funded, high-quality PreK programs. Join this webinar to find out if it is the right choice for you! To learn more and register, visit www.aspireprek.org/2024-webinars.

New Maryland Pre-K Grant Services for eligible Montgomery County Child Care Centers

MSCCA, along with our partners including Aspire, are working with the Montgomery County Children's Opportunity Alliance on an important new initiative for eligible child care centers to support interested programs in grant writing services for next round of public Pre-K expansion grants open to community-based programs. We are hosting a MoCo countywide, virtual, free info session on Wed., March 6th from 6:30-7:30 PM. Join the session

MSDE Office Closures

MSDE and other State offices will be closed on the following days: May 27, 2024 Memorial Day June 19, 2024 Juneteenth

Training/Professional Development

UMES now offers Child Development Bachelor degree ONLINE!

The UMES Online Child Development program provides for non-traditional a non-licensure and interdisciplinary background preparing students to work with children and their families. Courses are delivered in 8-week sessions in an asynchronous format. Contact Dr. Spencer, Online Program Coordinator mnspencer@umes.edu.

NAFCC - Leaders Shaping Leaders Fellowship Cohort IV is Now Open!

The Leaders Shaping Leaders fellowship is a dynamic virtual learning series that includes interactive education, networking, and leadership building. Applications are open and will close March 7, 2024. All NAFCC members are welcome to apply! Learn more

Village Builders Summit 2024

Join the Village Builders Summit 2024 in Ocean City, Maryland, March 8-10. Dynamic speakers, Color Cause Brunch, networking, and more await. Secure your spot now at villagebuilders2024.com! Learn more

BCCCRC's 2024 Emotional Wellness Conference (6 COK hours)

Registration is open for the annual BCCCRC Emotional Wellness Conference!

Date: Saturday, March 9th Time: 8:15am-4:00pm Location: Notre Dame of Maryland University

Please take note that if you register for the conference, you will also need to register for your breakout individual breakout session that you would like to take. Learn more

Towson University ECSE Access: Saturday Spring Speaker Series

Join us Saturday, March 9th, 9:00-11:30am via Zoom, for the next date in our Towson University Early Childhood/Special Education (ECSE) Access FREE Saturday Spring Speaker Series – all are welcome to register and attend! Please reach out to tguidi@towson.edu if you have any questions. Learn more

Take The Stress Out Of Transitions

Project Right Steps is offering a FREE online training on Wednesday, March 13, 6:30 - 9:30pm ET. Improving Transitions taught by Michele Hall. Register 

COK .5HR(CD), 2HR(Curr), .5HR(Special needs) Course No. CEU-604-9XQA (8460)

Creating a Stress Reducing Environment for Children 2-12 - March 13, 2024

This training is to look at the increasing level of stress found in children 2 - 12, and what can be done to help them cope with stress and anxiety. This a 3 hour webinar that gives you Core of Knowledge Credits. Class happens 6-9 pm, $35 Learn more

Early Childhood Educator Health Extravaganza 2024 - March 30, 2024

Registration is Now Open for an Unforgettable Day of Wellness! We're thrilled to announce the Early Childhood Educator Health Extravaganza 2024, an event exclusively designed to celebrate YOU- the heart and soul of early childhood development. 

TIME: 11:00am-3:00pm

LOCATION: Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library - Annapolis, MD 21041 Campbell-Chambliss Community Meeting room AB Register

Mud Magic and Messy Play Spring Conference - April 6, 2024

Join us as we uncover the developmental benefits of mud and messy play and bring back the joys of this creative and imaginative sensory-rich, nature-based play. Through family engagement ideas, lesson plans, and inclusive practices, we will cook up ways to say yes to mud and messy play! Learn more

"The Difficult Talk" A Day of Reflection, Release and Strategies

Leadership Training for Directors, Administrators, Family & Large License Providers with a min. of 2 yrs. licensed & experienced Professional Training. Transforming Leadership, Resolution Strategies and Creating Personal Boundaries using Vision Boards. MSDE Approved #30539, $75 includes Continental Breakfast.

April 19, 2024, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 10905 Livingston Rd., Ft. Washington, MD 20744 Earn 6 COK Hrs. in Professionalism - Call to register 301-203-7648 (No Walk-Ins) 

Early Childhood Connections Conference 2024 - April 20, 2024

Early Childhood Connections Conference will take place at Wisp Resort. The theme this year is nature-based learning! Registration closes March 29th. Email childcarechoices@fcmha.org for more information! Learn more

MSCCA Conference by the Sea 2024 - May 2, 2024

MSCCA Conference by the Sea 2024 Buckle Up as We Look Back and EXCELerate Early Childhood in the Future! Attend In Person or Virtually! Registration Open Now! Please join MSCCA as we celebrate our 40th anniversary as an organization! Join us for early childhood professional comradery with industry experts, quality training, great exhibitors, raffles, and awesome team building. You do not need to be a member of MSCCA to attend. Deadline to apply for MSCCA training voucher is March 2nd. Learn more

Professional Development Institute (PDI) Autism, the Art of Learning - May 11, 2024

During this PDI, we will explore how children with Autism can learn and thrive in their early childhood settings.

8:00am - 2:00pm Harriet Tubman Cultural Center 8045 Harriet Tubman Ln, Columbia, MD 21044 Cost - $50 MSDE Approval Number: CWO-162395 COK Hours: 4 Special Needs Learn more

Living with Family Child Care

MFN has a new resource for family child care homes to know their rights when it comes to HOAs and landlords. Living with Family Child Care can help providers to persuade and inform landlords, HOAs, local zoning boards and others about the benefits of family child care homes. It's available free in English, Spanish, French, Russian, Arabic, Farsi and Amharic. Learn more

Stressed out by classroom behavioral challenges?

Join UMD’s study of Maryland's state-wide program to nurture children's social-emotional well-being. Teachers receive classroom-based support from specialists and consultation on specific behavioral concerns, plus $300. Center Directors receive $200. Learn strategies while helping us document the impact of social-emotional supports for young children. Learn more

Strengthening Business Practices Series for Family Child Care Programs (9 COK hours)

Strengthening Business Practices for Family Child Care Programs is a 3-module series, that will be presented by Audrey Cupe-Green and Patty Aburn, Baltimore City’s MSDE Quality Assurance Specialists. The training will cover topics such as sound fiscal management, marketing, and more. Learn more

Earn Your CDA Online On Your Time

Advance your career and earn your Child Development Associate (CDA) online with Miss Trish's all-inclusive CDA Program!

• Learn from anywhere at any time online
• IACET accredited
• Support from licensed educators
• 120 hours of training | 12 CEUs
• Free Professional Portfolio review

Contact Us Today! 833-678-7474 contact@misstrish.net. Learn more

Workforce Development Partnership

Seeking child care centers on Maryland's lower shore! Join our Workforce Development Partnership to grow your team and enhance staff career support. Fill out our form here to learn more and join us. Form

Family Child Care Apprenticeship Program

The Family Child Care Alliance of Maryland is launching an apprenticeship program for FCC providers!

Apprentices receive training, computers, mentoring, and wages for working full-time with an experienced mentor. Contact jody.lamberti@fccamd.org for information. Apply

Child Care Advancement Network Building Educators (CCANBE) Program

Maryland State Family Child Care Association (MSFCCA) presents Phase 2 of the Child Care Advancement Network Building Educators (CCANBE) program, the Global Credentials, Local Opportunities initiative in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University and the Maryland State Child Care Association (MSCCA). This program is set to run from March 1 to June 30, 2024. Learn more

Guidance Regarding COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Illnesses in K-12 Schools and Child Care 

(Updated 7/11/23)

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and Maryland State Department of Education
(MSDE) recommend that schools and child care programs follow the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year.