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Tuesday, October 21, 2025
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Child Care Centers and Family Day Homes
Virginia Child Care Provider Scholarship Program: SPRING 2026 Applications Accepted through November 21, 2025
The Virginia Child Care Provider Scholarship Program is accepting scholarship applications for the SPRING 2026 semester through November 21. These scholarships support the cost of in-state tuition for students taking early childhood development courses at Virginia Community Colleges and SCHEV-accredited Montessori Certification Programs. Students may request scholarships for up to two APPROVED COURSES per semester. Information about the scholarship program may be found online.
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is October 19-25
Please join VDOE in recognizing National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week to help increase awareness of lead poisoning prevention strategies and efforts to reduce childhood exposure. The Virginia Department of Health has numerous resources available on their website to keep child care providers informed of the dangers of lead poisoning, including a 45-minute webinar on child care and lead poisoning prevention. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also offers valuable information and resources for caregivers and families.
National School Bus Safety Week is October 20-24
In honor of National School Bus Safety Week, VDOE is encouraging caregivers and educators to review bus safety rules with children such as remaining seated during transportation, keeping their hands and arms inside the vehicle, and entering and exiting the vehicle from the curb side or in a protected parking area. Be sure to also check your first aid supplies, emergency information, and the condition of seat belts and child restraints in the vehicle.
Subsidy Provider Training Registration for the Child Care Program Attendance and Schedule System (PASS) Has Launched!
Registration for training on the new attendance tracking system opened last week. Providers can register for live and recorded training sessions offered throughout November and December. As a reminder, this system will be used for all attendance in the Child Care Subsidy Program, starting December 1!
KinderSystems, the vendor behind PASS, is also contacting select providers to confirm needs for state-issued tablets. Please be prepared to receive a phone call if you didn’t complete the survey. KinderSystems may also reach out to providers before mailing tablets.
You’re invited to the 2025 Child Care & Early Childhood Education Business Summit!
Child Care Aware of Virginia’s Child Care & Early Childhood Education Business Summit returns November 13, 2025, in the Richmond area! Register before October 30 for an engaging day designed to empower child care providers with knowledge, tools, and connections to grow their businesses, strengthen practices, and champion children’s well-being. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, be inspired, and network with colleagues and professionals across the field. Registration is now open at vachildcare.com/providers/business-summit.
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Virginia Preschool Initiative
VPI Fall Verification- Now Open, Due November 7
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 hosted a technical webinar to review the VPI Fall Verification Report.
Early Childhood Special Education
PEATC Early Childhood Academy: November 7 – December 12
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.
Unpacking House Bill 2219: From Policy to Practice
House Bill 2219 (HB 2219, now Code of Virginia §22.1-217.4) amends the Code of Virginia by defining Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and building on requirements for IEP documentation and staff training for students who need or use AAC. Virginia’s AT Network is offering guidance to support schools in understanding the new requirements, including a free, three-part webinar series to focus on HB 2219 as it pertains to training for AAC in schools.
Head Start
Office of Head Start (OHS) Coach Camp
Join the Office of Head Start’s National Center on Early Childhood Development Teaching, and Learning for Coach Camp, a dynamic virtual learning experience. Participants will explore innovative, data-informed approaches to strengthen education practices and coaching implementation across program options. These sessions will offer rich content, practical resources and expert guidance to empower education staff in supporting quality teaching and learning for children.
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Webinar: Coach Camp
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Date: October 22 and 23 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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Register
New Home Visitor Office Hours
The Office of Head Start’s National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning is launching a new four-part Home Visitor Office hours series. This engaging series is designed to support home visitors in strengthening their skills and gaining practical tools to ensure high-quality home-based services for and families. In the first session, participants will explore the home visitor's online handbook, connect, learn, and grow with their peers.
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Webinar: Home Visitor Office hours
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Date: November 4th at 1 p.m.
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VQB5 - Virginia's Unified Measurement and Improvement System
VQB5 2024-2025 Quality Profiles – Now Available!
On October 14, VDOE released 3,293 Quality Profiles and nearly 500 Honor Rolls to sites based on the results from the 2024-2025 year via EarlyChildhoodQuality.doe.virginia.gov. Read more about this exciting accomplishment in the VDOE Press Release “More Quality Options for More Families”.
Early Learning Supports
Today: STREAMin3 + Classroom Organization Live Online Event
Team up with fellow educators and STREAMin3 coaches for a hands-on session packed with everyday strategies to build stronger classroom organization interactions through your STREAMin3 implementation. (Breakout room will be provided for infant educators and leaders.)
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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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