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Accepting Applications for the Early Childhood Advisory Committee
VDOE is still accepting applications for five vacancies on the Early Childhood Advisory Committee (ECAC), which advises the Board of Education on Virginia’s unified public-private early childhood system:
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A representative of business owners, operators, and employees in Virginia. Please note that this category of membership is intended to capture businesses other than ECCE programs. ECCE owners and operators are encouraged to apply for one of our ECCE program-specific vacancies.
- A representative of Head Start (Not school-based)
- A representative of an early childhood care and education provider that is exempt from licensure pursuant to Article 4 (§ 22.1-289.030 et seq.)
- A representative of a publicly-funded family day home
- A representative of parents of children currently enrolled in a publicly funded ECCE program, such as the Child Care Subsidy Program, VPI, Mixed Delivery, and Early Head Start/Head Start
All qualified applicants are invited to apply. Nominations may be made by completing this nomination form by Friday, March 22, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Additional information about the Committee is available on the ECAC website.
Child Care Centers and Family Day Homes
Virginia Child Care Provider Scholarship Program – Accepting Applications for Summer Semester Courses through April 15, 2024
2024 Virginia Annual Health and Safety Update Training for Child Care Staff Coming Soon
The VDOE will release the updated 2024 version of the Virginia Annual Health and Safety Update Training for Child Care Staff by mid-April 2024. The training will continue to be offered for free. Child care staff working in subsidy approved child day programs are required to complete the Virginia Health and Safety Update Training annually based on their last date of completion. Because of the delay in the release of the 2024 version, staff who last completed their Annual Health and Safety Update Training in March or early April of 2023, will have 30 days from the release date of the updated training to complete the 2024 annual update.
Updated Respiratory Virus Isolation Guidance
On March 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the respiratory virus isolation guidance. Individuals with respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV should stay home when sick until your fever resolves for 24-hours and your symptoms improve. Added precautions should be taken for five additional days to prevent the spread of illness. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) also updated its respiratory disease webpage and the information for K-12 Schools and Child Care Programs.
National Poison Prevention Week: March 17 – March 23
This week is National Poison Prevention Week. Research shows over two million potential poisonings are reported in the U.S. every year, with over 90% of these occurring in the home and the majority of them involving young children. The VDOE encourages all child day programs to check your storage of hazardous products and medications and take action to correct any potential or hidden dangers. Find poison prevention tips for children on the Virginia Department of Health’s website.
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Virginia Preschool Initiative
VPI Spring Webinar Series: Next Session March 20
VDOE is hosting a two part webinar series to prepare school divisions for the 2024-2025 school year. VPI coordinators and VPI enrollment staff are encouraged to attend. This year we will be taking a deep dive into VPI’s two guiding documents. Registration is required, sessions will be recorded and shared with all registered attendees.
VPI Spring Application- Technical Assistance Webinar on March 27
This application, released via the Single Sign-On Web System (SSWS) in April and due May 15, contains all the necessary questions and information needed to apply for VPI for the 2024-2025 school year. The VDOE will host a webinar to review the VPI Spring Application on March 27.
- Webinar: VPI Spring Application
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Date: March 27 at 11 a.m.
- Register
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Early Childhood Special Education
Early Childhood Special Education Spring Updates Webinar on April 11
The Early Childhood Special Education Spring Updates webinar will provide information to help school divisions prepare for the 2024-2025 school year. The webinar will focus on state-level early childhood updates and will present the December 1, 2023 child count and indicator 6 draft data, as well as the VPI and Head Start inclusion data. Because VDOE will share state- and division-level data, participants are encouraged to attend the virtual presentation. The individual(s) who has primary responsibility for ECSE programs from each division is encouraged to attend.
Considerations for a Smooth and Timely Transition from Part C to Part B Webinar – TODAY!
This webinar will provide information about the transition from Early Intervention Services (Part C) to Early Childhood Special Education (Part B). The webinar will cover federal and state regulations, decisions that can be determined locally, program eligibility, and tips for how the two systems can collaborate to support families and support a smooth and timely transition.
Head Start
OHS Announces Expansion Grants
The Administration for Children and Families in coordination with the Office of Head Start (OHS) just announced the availability of $102 million in grant funding for Head Start, Early Head Start, or Early Head Start Childcare Partnerships. These grants will be awarded competitively to expand access to quality comprehensive services to low-income children and families. For additional information about eligibility guidelines, review this grant opportunity on Grants.gov. The grant application will close on May 14, 2024.
VQB5 - Virginia's Unified Measurement and Improvement System
VQB5 Quality Profile Preview Webinar – TODAY!
Starting in the fall of 2024, all publicly-funded early childhood programs in Virginia will receive an annual VQB5 quality profile which will include information about performance on measurements (i.e., quality rating results) and other topics of interest to families, policymakers, and the general public.
On Tuesday, March 19 the VDOE will host a webinar to share ‘mock-ups’ of the new VQB5 Quality Profiles. Participants will have an opportunity to preview profile examples and provide feedback on the profile development. (This webinar will be recorded).
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Webinar: VQB5 Quality Profile Preview
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Date: Tuesday, March 19 at 2:00 p.m.
- Register
AEII Leader Consultation Series
AEII offers FREE virtual Leader Consultation for VQB5 Leaders to strengthen their practices in Understanding and Analyzing CLASS® Data (Session 1) and giving teachers Effective Feedback Using CLASS® Data (Session 2). Check out the flyer and register here!
Early Learning Support
VKRP “Preparing for Successful Spring Assessment Window” Webinars
The Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP) is hosting webinars for preschool program leaders (VKRP contacts) to support successful screening implementation in the spring assessment window. Webinars will include important dates, implementation resources, and updates for supporting your teachers in preparing for the spring assessment term. Visit this link to sign up for one of the synchronous sessions on March 20, 26, or April 2.
- Webinar: VKRP “Preparing for Successful Spring Assessment Window”
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Dates: March 20, March 26, or April 2
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Register
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Please send questions to: vkrp@virginia.edu
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Ready B5 Recap Winter Edition is Here!
Click to view the latest edition of Ready B5 Recap, the Quarterly Newsletter for Early Childhood Care and Education in Virginia.
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