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Child Care Centers and Family Day Homes
Coming Soon: Child Care Program Attendance and Schedule System (PASS) Communications and Training!
KinderSystems, the vendor behind PASS, will be contacting select providers between October 9 and October 24. Please be prepared to receive a phone call if you did not complete the survey. KinderSystems may also reach out to providers if they have clarifying questions before mailing your tablet.
Keep an eye on your inbox—registration for training on the new attendance tracking system will open the week of October 13. Training sessions will be held throughout November and December.
For questions about the system, email childcarepass@doe.virginia.gov, or visit Child Care PASS.
National Fire Prevention Week is October 5 through October 11
Join the VDOE in recognizing National Fire Prevention Week. Caregivers and educators are encouraged to check your physical environment for any fire hazards, test your smoke alarms and fire extinguishers to ensure they are working properly, review your emergency preparedness plan to ensure that it is up to date, and review the plan with staff to ensure everyone remembers the steps to take in the event of a fire.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month
October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month. In 2024, an estimated 3,400 infants died from SIDS and sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) in the United States. A safe sleep environment can help reduce the risk of SIDS, SUID, and other sleep-related causes of infant death. Information about safe sleep can be found on the Virginia Department of Health website, the Virginia Department of Social Services safe sleep website, and the National Institutes of Health website.
Updates on Fingerprint Background Check Fees, Payment Guidance, and Scheduled Blackout Period
On October 3, the Office of Child Care Health and Safety distributed a memo providing updates on fingerprint background check fees, payment guidance, and a scheduled blackout period. It is critical that licensed programs, religiously exempt centers, certified preschools, exempt out-of-school time programs, voluntarily registered homes, and unlicensed subsidy providers review this important update. Refer to the memo on the What’s New page of the Child Care VA website.
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Virginia Preschool Initiative
VPI Fall Verification Webinar - October 8
UPDATED LINK SENT TO VPI CONTACTS ON OCTOBER 6. Fall Verification, released via the Single Sign-On Web System (SSWS) in mid-October, will contain all the necessary questions and information needed to report for Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) for the 2025-2026 School Year. In order to support divisions, the VDOE will host a technical webinar to review the VPI Fall Verification Report. Attendance is recommended for VPI Coordinators or other school division reporting contacts. Registration is required, information has been sent to all VPI Coordinators.
Early Childhood Special Education
AAC Training Planning Tree & AAC Training FAQs
The Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Training Planning Tree is designed to support teams in determining the required supports and services, including training and technical assistance, for school personnel, contractors, and other student team members to promote successful communication and meaningful access to instruction for students who use AAC. Further resources, including information about House Bill 2219, which defines AAC and builds on requirements for IEP documentation and staff training, are provided below.
From Theory to Practice: Empowering Educators to Support Autistic Students Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) - October Training Opportunities
Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center’s Autism Center for Education (VCU-RRTC-ACE) will offer in-person, full-day Communication/AAC Workshops to support educators this fall. This workshop builds on theoretical foundations by providing hands-on practice with evidence-based strategies that effectively support autistic students who use AAC.
Head Start
Celebrate Head Start Awareness Month
October has been designated as Head Start Awareness month - a time to celebrate the lasting impact of Head Start and Early Head Start programs in building strong foundations for children and families. Since its inception in 1965, Head Start has provided comprehensive early learning, health, and family support services that empower families and strengthen communities. This month we honor the dedicated staff, families, and partners who make it possible for every child to learn, grow, and thrive.
Farm to Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Week
Join us October 6-10, 2025, for Farm to CACFP Week in Virginia - a celebration of fresh local harvests, hands-on learning, and community partnerships. Throughout the week, school divisions, early childhood centers, and community partners will host activities that spotlight Virginia crops. A featured event is the Crunch Heard ‘Round the Commonwealth on October 9, participants everywhere bite into Virginia apples to make some noise for farm to school initiatives. Additional resources to access include:
VQB5 - Virginia's Unified Measurement and Improvement System
Fall CLASS Observation Window: August 15 - December 22
VQB5 sites are required to complete two types of CLASS observations: local and external observations. This fall all VQB5 classrooms must complete a local CLASS observation coordinated by their Ready Region, with observation information entered in LinkB5 by December 22. Additional external CLASS observations will also be completed in some classrooms.
Coming Soon! 2024-2025 VQB5 Quality Profiles Release
This fall, families will have access to even more information about quality options as required by state law through the release of the 2024-2025 VQB5 Quality Profiles. Check out the link below to learn more about the upcoming 2025 VQB5 Quality Profile release, new VQB5 Honor Rolls, and website enhancements, and stay tuned to learn more about when the profiles are live!
Early Learning Supports
Tomorrow! STREAMin3 + Classroom Organization (Pre-K and Toddler) Webinar – October 8
Dig into the STREAMin3 curriculum components and strategies that can spark growth in interactions within the “Classroom Organization” CLASS domain all year long. Intended for preschool and toddler educators and leaders.
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Webinar: STREAMin3 + Classroom Organization (Pre-K and Toddler)
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Date: October 8, 1:00-1:30 p.m.
- Registration
Contact STREAMin3 at streamin3@virginia.edu for questions.
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STREAMin3 Coach Q&A every Tuesday and Thursday!
STREAMin3 is offering free, real-time curriculum use support every week with expert coaches. Support available in Spanish.
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The Ready B5 Recap Summer Edition is Here!
Click to view the summer edition of Ready B5 Recap, the quarterly newsletter for Early Childhood Care and Education in Virginia.
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