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HAPPY NEW YEAR
From the VDOE Early Childhood Team!
A fresh year brings new opportunities to learn, grow, and shine. Here’s to making 2026 a year full of progress and possibilities for Virginia’s young children and early childhood educators!
Child Care Centers and Family Day Homes
CCSP Attendance: It's Been Over a Month Since Child Care PASS Launched!
Here are a few reminders and updates:
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Payment- Payment for attendance from December 1-15 was initiated yesterday, January 5. Follow the steps in this quick reference guide to view your payments in KinderConnect.
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VA-ECC- Access to the VA-ECC portal has been extended to January 8. Make sure to download all the information you may need from the portal before that date.
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Resources- Visit Child Care VA for the latest resources, including FAQs for parents and providers, recent communications, and training information.
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Questions? Email us at childcarepass@doe.virginia.gov.
Notice of Objection to Fast-Track Actions Related to Stock or Undesignated Epinephrine
The public comment period for the four proposed amendments to regulations concerning policies, training, and the possession and administration of stock or undesignated epinephrine closed on December 17, 2025. During the public comment period, VDOE received a sufficient number of objections on all four regulatory actions to halt the Fast‑Track process, which nullifies the previously anticipated effective date of January 1, 2026.
At this time, providers are not required to take any action or implement any provisions related to the proposed epinephrine requirements.
For additional details and information on next steps, please refer to the notice of objection memo distributed to impacted providers on January 5.
Background Check Updates
The VDOE has updated the Background Checks page on the Child Care VA website to reflect the processing fee increases recently announced by the Virginia Department of Social Services-Office of Background Investigations, which took effect January 1, 2026. The Instructions for Completing Background Checks document has also been revised to incorporate the important changes related to providers now being responsible for fingerprinting costs. Providers are reminded that all VDOE providers must register a new business account with Fieldprint after January 1 in order to successfully schedule applicants for fingerprinting.
Child Care Provider Training on General Procedures for the Licensure of Child Day Programs and Family Day Systems, and Background Checks, Daily - January 6 through 9
Join the VDOE’s Office of Child Care Health and Safety to learn about the new standards in the General Procedures for the Licensure of Child Day Programs and Family Day Systems and Background Checks regulation (8VAC20-821) that go into effect February 1, 2026. The VDOE will be offering three in-person sessions and one virtual session to accommodate as many providers as possible. Review the training memo distributed on December 23 for more details. Registration is not required.
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Training: General Procedures for the Licensure of Child Day Programs and Family Day Systems, and Background Checks
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Dates: Daily, January 6 through 9 from Noon – 1 p.m.
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Locations:
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Virginia Preschool Initiative
VPI Late Enrollment for School Divisions – NOW OPEN, Due January 9
The Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) Late Enrollment Report is open now via the Single Sign-On Web System (SSWS) for eligible divisions who requested Late Enrollment slots during Fall Verification. This report collects enrollment data for VPI programs as of December 31. The report is due on January 9. VDOE hosted a technical webinar for those who are managing this report, the recording is now available. (passcode: D5K&rS$9)
Early Childhood Special Education
The Virginia Itinerant Early Childhood Special Education Model Webinar
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) recently released the Virginia Itinerant Early Childhood Special Education Technical Assistance Document (November 2025). In February, a webinar will be provided to share more information about the Virginia Itinerant Early Childhood Special Education Model and walk through the technical assistance document, provide a description of the Virginia Model and outline the essential practices that support children’s access and participation in inclusive settings and natural environments.
Training and Reliability Session for Indicator 7: Early Childhood Outcomes
This interactive session is designed for team members who participate in the Child Outcomes Summary (COS) process to rate children at entry and exit from early childhood special education services. The purpose is to assist local school division teams in completing the COS process accurately and with consistency. Teams are encouraged to attend the session together and work collaboratively through case studies provided.
Head Start
Webinar Series: Foundations of Trauma Informed Care in Head Start Programs
Join the National Center on Health, Behavioral Health and Safety for a two-part series that focuses on strengthening trauma informed care practices in early childhood settings. This webinar opportunity includes peer discussions, and data driven strategies that help support children and families experiencing trauma.
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Webinar: Trauma Informed Care- Part I
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Date: January 14 at 1 p.m.
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Register
Practice Based Coaching Training Institute
The National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching and Learning is facilitating an interactive training designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to implement the Practice-Based Coaching (PBC) model effectively. Participants will acquire practical strategies to support education staff in implementing effective teaching and home visiting practices, ensuring high-quality learning experiences for children and families. Each training will have a different focus.
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Webinar: Practice-Based Coaching Institute
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Dates: January 14, January 21, and January 28 at Noon.
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VQB5 - Virginia's Unified Measurement and Improvement System
Using Fall CLASS Scores to Guide Improvement
VQB5 emphasizes ongoing measurement, feedback, and support through a continuous quality improvement cycle. Programs have multiple opportunities to reflect on progress throughout the year.
Early Learning Supports
VQB5 Curriculum Webinar for New VQB5 Sites – January 15
The Curriculum for New VQB5 Sites webinar is for new VQB5 site leaders looking to deepen their understanding of the VQB5 curriculum measure.
Registration is open for VECC’s Free Quarterly Webinar – January 27
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Webinar: Talk More, Think More: Boosting Brain Power Through Ongoing Conversations in Daily Routines
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Date: January 27 at 1 p.m.
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Register
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Contact vecc@virginia.edu for questions.
Registration is Open for the ELDS Micro-Credential
The ELDS Micro-Credential is a free, self-paced, online course designed for educators working with children birth to age five. The ELDS Micro-Credential supports early childhood professionals to build knowledge of Virginia’s Early Learning and Development Standards. Each module includes videos, reflection prompts, and practical tools to apply in classrooms and programs.
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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 is available in Spanish.
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The Ready B5 Recap Winter Edition is Coming!
Click to view the fall edition of Ready B5 Recap, the quarterly newsletter for Early Childhood Care and Education in Virginia.
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