Division of Early Childhood

TUESDAY TIDBITS

You're Invited! Help Shape Maryland’s Next Family Engagement Guide

The Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Early Childhood is building out the next family engagement guide, and we want to hear from YOU!

Join one of our upcoming in-person focus groups to share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas. Your voice will help shape real solutions for the next guide.

Maryland families, providers in community-based programs, child care centers, preschools, and Pre-K-12 schools, and early childhood community members are invited to register.

Upcoming Focus Groups:

• Eastern Shore: July 28, 9:00-10:30 a.m. and 12:30-2:00 p.m.
  Chesapeake College, 1000 College Cir, Wye Mills, MD 21679, HES Building
• Western Maryland: July 29, 9:00-10:30 a.m. and 12:30-2:00 p.m.
  FCPS Leadership and Learning Center 44 W. Frederick St., Walkersville, MD 21793
• Central/Southern Maryland: July 30, 9:00-10:30 a.m. and 12:30-2:00 p.m.
  MDOT Building, 7200 Corporate Center Dr, Hanover, MD 21076

*Space is limited to approximately 60 attendees per session.

Questions? Contact Vanessa Jones at vanessa.jones1@maryland.gov.

Let’s work together to enhance family engagement and educational outcomes for all children and young adults in Maryland!

Welcome New Judy Center Early Learning Hubs!

Congratulations to the 7 new Judy Center Early Learning Hub Expansion sites that began their planning and development year on July 1!

• Baltimore County - Lansdowne Elementary School
• Frederick County - Thurmont Primary School
• Harford County - Joppatowne Elementary School
• Montgomery County - Captain James E. Daly Elementary School
• Dorchester County - Choptank Elementary School
• Washington County - Cascade Elementary School
• Garrett County - Accident Elementary School

Learn more about Maryland's Judy Center Early Learning Hubs on our website.

Free Meals for Children Through the Summer Food Service Program

Maryland's Summer Food Service Program provides free, nutritious meals in low-income areas to children and teens aged 18 and under when school is not in session.

SUN Meals summer meal sites are located throughout Maryland and offer on-site meals and activities for children. 

SUN Meals To-Go is available at some meal sites. Families can pick up multi-day meal boxes and take them home. Registration is required.

Find a SUN Meals site near you online.

Summer Fun with Safe Gardening Practices

Including young children in kitchen gardening offers many learning and developmental benefits, and safe practices ensure a positive and lasting impact. Benefits include:

• Physical Activity: Enhances gross motor skills (digging, watering, raking) and fine motor skills (planting seeds, pulling weeds).
• Exploration & Senses: Encourages children to investigate insects, soil, and plant life cycles while using all five senses to experience the garden.
• Educational Skills: Supports science (plant cycles), math (counting and measuring), and language (describing textures and colors).

Recommended Age-Appropriate Gardening Activities:

• Two-year-olds: Pushing child-size wheelbarrows, watering with help, and pushing large seeds into the soil.
• Three-year-olds: Mixing soil, planting seedlings, filling watering cans, and observing plant growth.
• Four to five-year-olds: Shoveling mulch, harvesting ripe produce, weighing vegetables, and identifying garden insects.

Safe Gardening Resources

• Safe Gardening Guidelines (KidsGardening.org)
• Early Childhood Fruit and Vegetable Gardens (Natural Learning Initiative)
• Gardening in Preschools (NC State University)
• Top Ten Safety Tips for Gardening with Children (Learning with Experts)

Why is Your Licensing Specialist a Superhero? During the 2026 MSCCA Conference by the Sea, the MSDE Licensing Branch asked attending child care providers: “Why is your licensing specialist a superhero?” We are pleased to share your thoughtful responses recognizing the outstanding contributions of MSDE Licensing Specialists. "Antoinette Harvey (Region 3) is kind. She knows what she is doing. She kept me up on changes." "Denise Perry (Region 11) - Thank you for all that you do for Harford County!" "Shaunte Boddy (Region 5) helps out answering questions and finding information. She always returns calls." PLUS: special shout outs to Charlene Farley (Region 1) and Rebecca Bozarth (Region 12)! Thank you for your feedback and stay tuned for more of your responses in our next edition!

Training/Professional Development

Free Continuing Education Clock Hours: Basic Health & Safety Training

Retaking the free Basic Health & Safety Training earns three clock hours of continuing education credits under the Health, Safety, and Nutrition category.

The Basic Health & Safety Training was updated in October 2025. This three-hour course covers federal and State regulatory requirements and fulfills Breastfeeding and SIDS training requirements.

The training serves as a resource for reviewing essential topics, including supervision, emergency preparedness, and enrolling children with chronic physical or developmental health care needs.

To receive credit, you must complete the training before December 2026. Once completed, submit your certificate to your assigned licensing specialist to apply the hours toward your annual requirements.

Please be advised that continuing education credits will not be approved if the training is taken to satisfy a preservice requirement.

Access the Basic Health & Safety Training online.

Events listed in this section come from MSDE partners and community organizations. MSDE shares these opportunities for informational purposes only and does not necessarily endorse the events or their content.

Rooted In Relationships Summer Conference on the Shore

"Rooted in Relationships: Harvest to Home" is an early childhood gardening conference hosted by Hummingbird Hill Collective designed to merge the community garden movement with essential child care services addressing nutritional education and food insecurity to early childhood development and child care.

Learn more about the conference

Inspire Every Child Through Creativity ❤️

ChildCareEd and the Many Colors, One Canvas MD ECE conference will show educators how to use art to support development. Gain hands-on experience, earn training hours, and leave with ideas you can use right away. Secure your spot today or win your registration by signing up for our giveaway!

MSDE Voucher approval number CWO-164325. Special July pricing!

Register for the conference

Child Care Choices' GOFCC Program Celebrated 100 Licensed Family Child Care Educators in Western Maryland

Child Care Choices, a program of the Mental Health Association of Frederick County, proudly celebrates 100 licensed graduates through the Growing Opportunities for Family Child Care (GOFCC) program, expanding access to quality child care and strengthening families and communities across Western Maryland.

Learn more about the program

Find Health Insurance with Maryland Health Connection

Maryland Health Connection is our state's official health insurance marketplace. At MarylandHealthConnection.gov, you can get a health plan that covers doctor visits, prescription medications, and more for you and your family.

Medicaid enrollment is open all year. Learn how to enroll, find resources, and more on the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange website.