✉️ VDOE Readiness Connections Update: December 11, 2025

Creating Connections to Shining Stars July 2026: Save the Date and Call for Proposals 

Creating Connections to Shining Stars 2026 is a collaborative effort between Virginia's Part C, Early Intervention and Part B, Early Childhood Special Education programs. The conference will focus on promoting and supporting the implementation of evidence-based practices in inclusive settings for infants, toddlers, and young children.  

• Dates: July 14 – 16, 2026 
• Location: Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, VA 

It’s Been a Little Over One Week Since Virginia’s New Child Care Program Attendance and Schedule System (PASS) Launched!

Here are a few reminders and updates:   

• Support: KinderSystems Support is continuing to experience a high volume of calls leading to long wait times. Try calling at off-peak times such as early morning or evening to speak to an agent more quickly.  

• Tablets: There is currently a backlog of tablets, but if you are eligible and want to request one, add your name to the waitlist by calling KinderSystems Support at 1-888-211-6884 or emailing supportVA@kindersystems.com. While you wait for it to arrive, consult the “How To Record Attendance Without a Tablet” resource on this page. 

• Training: English and Spanish PASS trainings and open Q&A sessions are still available. If you’re still trying to create your account, attending one of these sessions may be helpful. Sign up for a session HERE. 

Questions? Email childcarepass@doe.virginia.gov 

National Safe Toys and Gifts Month 

December is National Safe Toys and Gifts month. In an effort to promote the safety of toys and gifts for children, VDOE is reminding caregivers and educators to select toys that align with the child’s age and developmental stage to ensure the well-being of children during this gift giving season. Be sure to check labels, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, and avoid small parts that can be choking hazards for young children. 

Reminder: Final Adoption Period for General Procedures for Licensure of Child Day Programs and Family Day Systems and Background Checks – Open through December 31    

The final General Procedures for the Licensure of Child Day Programs and Family Day Systems and Background Checks regulation (8VAC20-821) was published in the Virginia Register of Regulations (Volume 42, Issue 8) on December 1, starting the final adoption period in which a 30-day waiting period begins prior to the effective date of the regulation, scheduled for February 1, 2026. The final General Procedures for Licensure of Child Day Programs and Family Day Systems and Background Checks represent an action to repeal and replace the regulation, 8VAC20-820, in order to establish a new regulation that includes general procedures and information for licensure and incorporates background check requirements and application fees for licensed child day programs and family day systems; clarifies existing regulatory requirements; updates practices and procedures; and implements statutory requirements. Refer to the notice of final adoption memo distributed to providers on December 1 for more information.   

Reminder: Public Comment on Proposed Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers Regulation – Open through January 30, 2026  

The proposed Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers regulation (8VAC20-781) was published in the Virginia Register of Regulations (Volume 42, Issue 8) on December 1. The proposed Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers represent an action to repeal and replace the regulation, 8VAC20-780, in order to establish a new regulation that adjusts the structure, format, and language of the current regulation; removes duplicative requirements found in the Code of Virginia; incorporates updates to address everchanging national health and safety guidelines and practices; and incorporates updates to the regulation while preserving protection of the health, safety, and welfare of children in care in licensed child day centers regulated by the Department. Public comment will be open through January 30, 2026. Refer to the notice of public comment memo distributed to providers on December 1 for more information. 

The Essentials of Eligibility and Evaluation in Early Childhood, Two-Part Series 

The VDOE will provide a two-part webinar series on the Essentials of Eligibility and Evaluation in Early Childhood. Participants will learn about best practices in evaluation of young children. School division team members engaged in determining eligibility for special education and related services for children ages two through five should attend. The webinars will be recorded. Recordings will be sent to all who register.  

• Webinar: The Essentials of Eligibility and Evaluation in Early Childhood, Two-Part Series 
• Dates: January 14 and 22, from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
• Register 

Save the Date and Call for Proposals: Creating Connections to Shining Stars July 2026 

Creating Connections to Shining Stars (CCSS) is a collaborative effort between Virginia's Part C, Early Intervention and Part B, Early Childhood Special Education programs. The conference will focus on promoting and supporting the implementation of evidence-based practices in inclusive settings for infants, toddlers, and young children. Session proposals must be aligned with the Division of Early Childhood Care and Education's recommended practices and are to be submitted by January 9, 2026.  

• Creating Connections to Shining Stars 2026   
• Dates: July 14 – 16, 2026 
• Location: Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, VA 
• Proposals Due January 9, 2026 

Preventing Child Health and Safety Incidents Office Hours 

Join the National Center on Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety for their upcoming office hours to support child health and safety. This series of office hours is designed for programs seeking strategies to prevent child maltreatment in Head Start settings. It will feature engagement with all four National Training and Technical Assistance Centers and breakout sessions for recipients to engage directly with the National Centers staff for targeted training and technical assistance. 

• Office Hours: Preventing Child Health and Safety Incidents 
• Date: December 11 at 3:30 p.m. 
• Register 

Please see the Essentials of Eligibility and Evaluation in Early Childhood Care and Education and save the date/call for proposals: Creating Connections to Shining Stars 2026 entries in the ECSE section.

2 weeks Remaining to Complete Fall Local CLASS Observations and Student/Child Lists!  

Local CLASS Observations – Completed and Verified by December 22  

VQB5 classrooms must complete a local CLASS observation this fall coordinated by their Ready Region, with scores entered and verified in LinkB5 by December 22. Once scores are verified, site leaders can access their local CLASS scores via the LinkB5 Export Reports.  

• Using CLASS Scores to Guide Improvement
• Additional resources to support CLASS observation completion are available on the VQB5 Measuring Quality Interactions webpage.  

VQB5 Student/Child Lists – Completed by December 22  

This fall, VQB5 site leaders must inform all parents/legal guardians about VQB5 and student/child lists. This means every parent/legal guardian should be aware that your site is participating in VQB5, and child-level information is gathered safely and securely through the completion of student/child lists in a secure data portal, called LinkB5. The resources below are available to support site leaders with successful student/child list completion by December 22. 

• 2025-2026 VQB5 Student/Child Lists Toolkit (English/Spanish) 
• Webinar Recording: VQB5 Student/Child Lists for Site Leaders (30 min) 
• LinkB5 Student/Child Lists Resources 

VQB5 2024–2025 Results – Webinar Recording 

On November 20, VDOE hosted a webinar for the field to share the latest VQB5 state results and how they’ve evolved since last year. This webinar highlighted key trends, celebrated progress, and explored areas for continued growth in early childhood quality.  

• Title: From Data to Impact: A Look at Virginia’s 2024–2025 VQB5 Results 
• Recording (1 hour)