News

On April 23, 2014 the Early Learning Division Office of Child Care conducted a webinar around the Focused Child Care Networks grant that is currently open. If you missed it, you can watch the recording here.

The Early Learning Division invites you to participate in an upcoming conference titled Building Early Learning Partnerships for a Strong Foundation in Education. This conference, which will bring providers of early learning services and K-3 educators together for a shared professional learning experience, will take place on November 17-18, 2016…

Early Learning Hubs across the State Will Implement Preschool Promise (Salem, Ore.) – Oregon’s innovative free preschool program, Preschool Promise, begins this month with rolling starting dates across the state. Oregon’s mixed delivery preschool pilot supports children and families living at 200 percent of the poverty level. Preschool Promise will…

Text-to-911 planning and implementation is underway in Oregon and Southwest Washington, and should be available throughout Oregon in the next 24 months. The Portland-Metropolitan Region implemented an interim pilot project to receive text-to-911 messages, and after months of successful testing, went live on August 23, 2016. The National Emergency Number…

Join us on a webinar to learn more about the New Health and Safety Training Requirements. August 18th, 2016 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Log into the webinar by using the link below: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/927046517 Dial in: 1 (877) 309 2070 Access Code: 927-046-517 Audio Pin: Given once you are logged in

The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 requires training and regulation on specific health and safety topics for all caregivers that are licensed or who receive federal child care subsidy funding. The Early Learning Division will be adopting rules on the new training requirements soon. More information…

There is a growing recognition that achieving third grade success requires a strong continuum of support starting with prenatal development through third grade (P-3). Oregon’s Early Learning Division and Department of Education are partnering with The Children’s Institute, Oregon Community Foundation (OCF), The Ford Family Foundation, and Portland State University…

The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 (CCDBG) requires states to develop health and safety requirements for all child care facilities that accept reimbursement through Child Care and Development Fund subsidy payments. Oregon Revised Statutes 329A.505 authorizes the Office of Child Care to conduct on-site inspections when…

Don't miss an opportunity for a Baby Sign Language class on Wednesday, June 1, from 9:30 to 10:30 am. It will be held at Earl Boyles Elementary School, in partnership with Mt. Hood Community College Early Head Start, in the Earl Boyles Infant-Toddler Room (10822 SE Bush St, Portland OR).…

The Early Learning Council will begin formal rulemaking to implement the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014. The Act requires states and territories to conduct health and safety monitoring inspections for all child care providers who accept federal funding from the Child Care and Development Fund. The…

Early educators, child care providers, and kindergarten teachers are encouraged to attend the Early Childhood Summer Institute at David Douglas High School-South Campus on June 20-24, 2016. This free professional development opportunity provides multi-day courses that include: Exploring Infant/Toddler Social Emotional Development through a Trauma-Informed Lens So You Want to…

Updated: July 11, 2016 As many of you know, Oregon Legislature enacted House Bill 3380, the creation of a new, publicly-funded, high quality preschool system in 2015. The model leverages high-quality, local and culturally-relevant early child care and education programs to help make preschool more widely available. By incorporating a “mixed…

The Early Learning Division is currently engaged in work to implement the Preschool Promise program enacted by the Legislature in 2015. Part of implementation will include promulgation of Oregon Administrative Rules to govern the program. The Early Learning Council will begin consideration draft rule language on March 16, 2016. The…

WHAT: Early Learning Division Child Care and Development Fund State Plan Public Hearing WHEN: February 18, 2016 Hearing begins at 6:00 p.m. WHERE: Public Service Building (East Entrance) Basement – Studio A 255 Capitol St NE Salem, OR 97310 View the Public Hearing Notice

A draft of Oregon’s Child Care and Development Fund State Plan for 2016-2018 is open for a 60 day public comment period through February 26, 2016. There will be a public hearing on the State Plan on February 18, 2016. Information will be posted on the Early Learning Division website. The…

The Early Learning Council will be hosting a Community Forum. Date: July 22nd Time: 6:30-8:30 Location: Northwest Regional ESD Service Center, 2515 Third Street, Tillamook, OR 97141 What is it? The Oregon Early Learning Council is holding a forum to hear community input on issues of equity, access, and the…

(Portland, OR)- Oregon’s Early Learning Council is moving toward establishing more early learning hubs across Oregon. Today the Early Learning Council announced eight applicants who will begin the process to become full-fledged hubs coordinating early education and family support services help to children and families. "Our learning hub model will…

Per HB 2013, the Early Learning Division has submitted a report to the Oregon Legislature providing an update on Early Learning Hubs. You may view and download the report here.

At our Early Learning Council meeting last week (5/9) students from the Salem Little Friends Montessori School came to sing for Council members and attendees. The Council learned about the school and there were great conversations about approaches to early learning in the classroom prior to Kindergarten. Update #2: Oregon…

Thursday will be a busy day at the Somerville Building. The Early Learning Council will convene from 8am-12:30pm. Details below: May 9, 2013 8am-12:30 Somerville Building 775 Court Street NE Salem, OR 97301 Large Conference Room Early Learning System Director Jada Rupley also released her April/May Newsletter this past Monday.…

Oregon Administrative Rules - Oregon Department of Education, Early Learning Division OAR Chapter 414, Division 150 Special Populations Program OAR Chapter 414, Division 400 Migrant Seasonal Farmworker Child Care Program The Early Learning Council will begin rulemaking to repeal rules for the Special Populations and Migrant Seasonal Farmworker Child Care…

The Early Learning Council will continue to accept public testimony for lead testing water in child care facilities until 5pm January 25, 2018. Please send to alyssa.chatterjee@state.or.us. A link to public testimony that was received by the initial January 21, 2018 deadline can be found at this link: https://oregonearlylearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/ELD-Public-Testimony-Received_LeadRules.pdf Added 2/23: Additional…

The Office of Child Care Statutory Workgroup will meet on Wednesday, January 17, 2018. The meeting will be held in Salem, Oregon at the State Capitol, Room H470 from 1:00-3:00pm.* Agenda and meeting materials are posted below. The State Capitol is located at 900 Court Street NE, Salem, OR 97301. For…

The Early Learning Council will begin rulemaking to adopt permanent administrative rules relating to testing water for lead in licensed and regulated child care facilities. These rules have been redrafted with some corrections and additions for public comment. Increasingly, information indicates lead is leaching into water through plumbing and piping. Young…

Oregon Administrative Rules - Oregon Department of Education, Early Learning Division OAR Chapter 414, Division 700  - Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Program The Early Learning Council will begin formal rulemaking to adopt rules governing the Child Care Contribution Tax Credit program. In 2003, the legislature enacted the Oregon Child…

November 2, 2017 The Early Learning Council will begin formal rulemaking to adopt rules governing Relief Nurseries. ORS 417.788 directs the Early Learning Division to support relief nurseries statewide as funding becomes available. 417.788 (1). Section 28, chapter 624, Oregon Law 2013 requires the Early Learning Division to enter into…

The Office of Child Care Statutory Workgroup will meet on Monday, November 6, 2017. The meeting will be held in Salem, Oregon at the State Capitol, Room 350 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.* Agenda and meeting materials are posted below. The State Capitol is located at 900 Court Street…

The Early Learning Council will begin rulemaking to adopt permanent administrative rules relating to enrollment in the Central Background Registry established pursuant to ORS 329A.030. The Early Learning Division Office of Child Care (OCC) administers the Central Background Registry (CBR) pursuant to ORS 329A.030. OCC conducts background checks on individuals…

The Office of Child Care (OCC) Statutory Workgroup will meet on Monday, August 28, 2017, 9:00 to 12:00 noon*.  The meeting will be held at the State Capitol Building, Room H470. Statutory Workgoup Agenda Aug 28 meeting DRAFT Agenda: Approve meeting minutes (June 29, 2017 meeting) ORS Chapter 329A  overview…

OAR Chapter 414, Division 180. The Early Learning Council will begin rulemaking to amend rules governing license-exempt child care providers accepting federal subsidies. The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 requires states and territories to conduct health and safety monitoring inspections for all child care providers who…

The Early Learning Council will begin rulemaking to adopt permanent administrative rules relating to enrollment in the Central Background Registry established pursuant to ORS 329A.030. The Early Learning Division Office of Child Care (OCC) administers the Central Background Registry (CBR) pursuant to ORS 329A.030. OCC conducts background checks on individuals…

The Early Learning Council will consider formal rulemaking to amend rules governing vehicle use in Registered Family Child Care Homes (OAR Chapter 414, Division 205); Certified Family Child Care Homes (OAR Chapter 414, Division 350), Certified Child Care Centers (OAR Chapter 414, Division 300), Regulated Subsidy Family Child Care Homes…

License Exempt Providers Rule Revision ​The Early Learning Council will begin formal rulemaking to amend rules governing license exempt child care providers accepting federal subsidies. The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 requires states and territories to conduct health and safety monitoring inspections for all child care…

The Early Learning Council will begin formal rulemaking to amend rules governing license-exempt child care providers accepting federal subsidies. The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 requires states and territories to conduct health and safety monitoring inspections for all child care providers who accept federal funding from…

The Early Learning Council will begin rulemaking to revise administrative rules relating to enrollment in the Central Background Registry established pursuant to ORS 329A.030. The Early Learning Division, Office of Child Care (OCC) administers the Central Background Registry (CBR) pursuant to ORS 329A.030. OCC conducts background checks on individuals associated…

Media contacts: Allyson Hagen, 503-449-6457, allyson.hagen@dhsoha.state.or.us Marc Siegel, Oregon Dept. of Education: 971-239-7982, marc.siegel@state.or.us Endi Hartigan, Higher Education Coordinating Commission: 971-701-4032, endi.hartigan@state.or.us State agencies issue COVID-19 guidance to Oregon schools and universities Health officials recommend taking steps to prevent infection and keeping schools open  (Portland – March 8, 2020) Public…

The first few years of a child’s life are a critical time for high quality learning (Salem, Ore) – The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and the Early Learning Division (ELD) today jointly released results from the 2019-20 Oregon Kindergarten Assessment, which were largely unchanged from the previous year. The…

(Salem, Ore) – The Early Learning Division is now accepting applications to expand culturally specific early learning programs and infant, toddler, and preschool education programs to serve Oregon’s youngest children and families. The funds are available thanks to the Student Success Act – a historic $1 billion annual investment in…

(Salem, Ore) – The Early Learning Division was awarded a $26.6 million grant by the federal Administration for Children and Families to improve and expand programs to serve Oregon children and families from birth to age five. The funds will be distributed over three years ($8.9 million annually) and focus…

(Salem, Ore) – Governor Kate Brown and Early Learning System Director Miriam Calderon welcomed six new members to the Early Learning Council this week. “Success in career, college, and the classroom begins with early learning and preparing our children to be lifelong learners,” said Governor Kate Brown. “We know that…

Giving her support to high quality early learning care and education, Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed a proclamation for April 8-12, 2019 as “Week of the Young Child.” The week is an annual celebration hosted by NAEYC to spotlight early learning, young children, their teachers, families and communities. Daily themes such as…

There are several temporary child care rules in effect and the OCC has started the process to make them permanent. Public Comment period is now open and a Public Hearing is scheduled for 3/6/19. Click here to open the Child Care Rule page for more information.

Oregon Kindergarten Assessment Results for 2018-19 The first few years of a child’s life are a critical time to invest in high quality learning Media Inquiries: Melanie Mesaros, 503-856-6040 (Salem, Ore) – The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and the Early Learning Division (ELD) today jointly released results from the…

Salem, OR—Governor Kate Brown today joined state agencies, Early Learning Council members, and legislators in unveiling Raise Up Oregon: A Statewide Early Learning System Plan, which provides a roadmap for how state and local communities can work together to ensure Oregon’s youngest children can enter school ready to learn. Research shows…

2018 Statewide Early Learning Conference Join the Confederation of Oregon School Administrators  for their sixth annual Statewide Early Learning Conference. This year at the Hilton in Eugene. This conference energizes and empowers attendees to face changes and gain skills. With over 50 sessions, exciting networking opportunities, and thought-provoking speakers, attendees will leave…

October 12, 2018 The Early Learning Division Office of Child Care is hosting a series of in-person Engagement Sessions and Webinars to gather your feedback on upcoming rule changes – including questions, comments, suggestions, ideas, concerns, you name it! As you know a small set of changes to the child…

Oregon Early Childhood Summit: Supporting All Kids in our Programs and Classrooms Watch the Recording Here Join Dr. Walter Gilliam and a panel of colleagues from diverse early childhood settings in Oregon to discuss social emotional development, equity, expulsion, and relational health for our youngest Oregonians. To be held at the…

Reminder: The Early Learning Division Office of Child Care will be holding online rules engagement session for all licensed child care providers this week. Please see below for additional details. The Early Learning Division recently passed Temporary Rules for each facility, effective July 1, 2018. The Division has also opened…

The Office of Child Care (OCC) has rules available for public comment from August 1 - September 18, 2018 at 5pm. Comments can be sent to Peter Blume via email at early.learning@state.or.us or via postal service to 700 Summer St NE, Suite 350, Salem, OR 97301. A summary of these…

The Early Learning Division recently passed Temporary Rules for each facility, effective July 1, 2018. The Division has also opened rules on the Central Background Registry, training requirements, serious injury and reporting, safe sleep, and the use of restrictive infant equipment for public comment through August 20, 2018. Learn more…