✉️ VDOE Readiness Connections Update: April 29, 2025

Virginia Department of Education sent this bulletin at 04/29/2025 12:00 PM EDT

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Save the Date

May 13 at 5:30 p.m. - Event: Fairfax Regional Listening Session

May 15 at 3 p.m. - Webinar: The Basics of Early Language Development. Register

May 22 at 1 p.m. - Webinar: Supporting High-Quality Interactions with Children in the CLASSroom and Home. Register

Child Care Centers and Family Day Homes

Child Care Provider Fairfax Regional Listening Session on May 13

Join the Office of Child Care Health and Safety (OCCHS) for an in-person listening session in Fairfax. Come any time during the session to share your questions and thoughts with leadership of the OCCHS.

Event: Fairfax Regional Listening Session
Date: May 13
Time: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Location: PJ Skidoos, 9908 Fairfax Boulevard, Fairfax, Virginia 22030 (Note: Food will not be provided but can be purchased. Attendees are responsible for the cost of any food and beverages purchased.)

Child Abuse and Neglect: Recognition and Reporting Training

As we wrap up Child Abuse Prevention month this week, the VDOE is reminding all caregivers and educators that the Community College Workforce Alliance (CCWA) offers training in Child Abuse and Neglect: Recognition and Reporting. The VDOE partners with CCWA to offer this training at no cost to staff working in Virginia child care programs. Register your staff today and take advantage of this free opportunity. More information can be found on the CCWA website.

Virginia Preschool Initiative

VPI Office Hours: Next Meeting May 1

This is an optional meeting where Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) coordinators can join VDOE staff to ask questions and brainstorm together. There is no set agenda; discussions will be free-flowing guided by the individuals joining the call. Office hours are held on the first Thursday of the month at 11a.m. The link to join is the same each month.

Online event: VPI Office Hours
Date: First Thursday of the month, at 11 a.m.
Join here

Early Childhood Special Education

PEATC Early Childhood Academy: April 25 – May 30

The Early Childhood Academy is a free online self-paced course presented by the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) in collaboration with the VDOE. Families of young children with disabilities will learn about supporting their child’s early learning and development. The course will also share tips and frequently asked questions, including information on making the transition from early intervention to school services easier.

Online course: Early Childhood Academy (Spring 2025)
Dates: April 25 – May 30
Register

Head Start

The Basics of Early Language Development – Webinar on May 15

With the increased lens on language and literacy, it is important that as early educators we do not overlook our youngest learners. To learn more about early language development that goes from babbling to conversations, join Dr. Beth Zach from the National Center on Early Childhood Development Teaching and Learning. Acquire research-based strategies to support language growth from birth to age three.

Webinar: The Basics of Early Language Development
Date: May 15 at 3 p.m.
Register

VQB5 - Virginia's Unified Measurement and Improvement System

Overview of Proposed 2025-2026 VQB5 Guidelines – Webinar Recording

Last month, VDOE hosted a webinar for early childhood stakeholders in Virginia. This webinar covered information about current year VQB5 successes, VQB5 Quality Profiles, and proposed changes to the VQB5 2025-2026 Guidelines for clarity and impact.

View Recording: Overview of Proposed 2025-2026 VQB5 Guidelines (1 hour)

Early Learning Support

Save the Date: VECC Presents Supporting High-Quality Interactions with Children in the CLASSroom and Home – Webinar on May 22

In this webinar, VECC will support participants to engage families in dialogue about interactions in the classroom and at home. The tips and resources shared will support quality interactions across settings: schools, centers, and family day homes.

Webinar: Supporting High-Quality Interactions with Children in the CLASSroom and Home
Date: May 22 at 1 p.m.
Register

Save your Spot in the STREAMin³ Research Study!

Are you part of a private program that’s never used the STREAMin³curriculum? The STREAMin3 team is currently enrolling participants for a new research study. Data collection for Cohort 1 is underway. Interested programs may contact streamin3impact@virginia.edu for more information.

STREAMin³ Office Hours every Tuesday!

Join STREAMin³ coaches live on Zoom, Tuesdays between 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. to ask a coach your questions. Spanish-speaking coach available.

Join STREAMin³ Office Hours
Weekly on Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

New to STREAMin³?

Get started on the right foot by taking the On-Demand Onboarding Course, now available through Canvas.

The Ready B5 Recap Spring Edition is HERE!

Click to view the spring edition of Ready B5 Recap, the Quarterly Newsletter for Early Childhood Care and Education in Virginia.

Follow VDOE on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for additional VDOE updates.

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