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.…

Notice of Public Hearing and Comment: The Child Care and Development Fund State Plan maps Oregon’s response to federal requirements under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014. The state plan serves as the application for Child Care and Development Fund allocations and provides descriptions of, and…

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: The extended the public comment period for permanent administrative rules relating to licensed and regulated child care facilities is closing on Monday, May 21, 2018 Registered Family 414-205 (5.1.18 Update) Registered Family Rulebook Draft (Tables Included) Certified Family 414-350 (5.1.18 Update) Certified Family Rulebook Draft (Tables Included) Certified Center 414-300 (5.1.18 Update)…

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking & Public Hearing: The Early Learning Council has extended the public comment period until May 21, 2018 for permanent administrative rules relating to licensed and regulated child care facilities. A public hearing has been scheduled for May 15, 2018: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 6:00pm (members of the public…

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: The Early Learning Council will begin rulemaking to adopt permanent administrative rules relating to licensed and regulated child care facilities. ORS 329A directs the Early Learning Council to adopt administrative rules relating to licensed and regulated child care facilities to ensure the health and safety of…

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…

(Salem, Ore) – Child care providers in Oregon are invited to apply for child care stabilization grants through the Early Learning Division (ELD). Oregon received approximately $224 million in grant funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to be paid directly to eligible providers struggling during COVID-19.…

Early Care and Education Workforce Struggles with Inequities in Unemployment (Salem, Ore) – New research shows the COVID-19 pandemic impacted Oregon’s child care and early care and education programs’ ability to remain open and serve families. The Oregon Early Learning Division (ELD) commissioned Portland State University and OSLC Developments, Inc.…

*News Release by the Oregon State University. Click here for media contact.* CORVALLIS, Ore. — A new report from Oregon State University shows that as of March 2020, all 36 counties in Oregon qualify as child care “deserts” for infants and toddlers — meaning that there are at least three children…

Majority of Families in Oregon Experienced Child Care Disruptions Due to COVID-19 (Salem, Ore) – Results of new research commissioned by the Early Learning Division (ELD) and conducted by Portland State University and OSLC Developments, Inc. illustrate the critical importance of accessible child care for Oregon families during the COVID-19…

*News Release by the Governor's Office. Click here for media contact.* Early Learning System Director Miriam Calderon to take position with Biden-Harris administration (Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown today announced that she is naming Alyssa Chatterjee as the Acting Director of the Early Learning Division (ELD) of the Oregon…

(Salem, Ore) – The Early Learning Division is partnering with Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) to support Oregon child care providers with a COVID-19 nurse hotline. The number, 1-833-647-8222, will be available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Child care providers can access the toll-free…

(Salem, Ore.) – Today, the Early Learning Council released a new report offering an update on the progress of Raise Up Oregon, the state’s five-year strategic early learning system plan. The Progress Report showcases advances across five state agencies between January 2019 and September 2020 on the three system goals:…

Today Governor Brown announced a new program to provide masks and gloves to small business in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor, in partnership with the Oregon Legislature’s Emergency Board, allocated $10 million from the federal CARES Act funding for the purchase of protective supplies. The state of…

(Salem, Ore.) – With in-person public schooling delayed in many communities across Oregon, families need to know what options are available for safe child care for their school-age children. The Early Learning Division (ELD), the state agency responsible for regulating early education and child care, is sharing information with families…

(Salem, Ore.) – Today, the Early Learning Division (ELD) released an update to guidelines for child care and early education operations during COVID-19 developed in partnership with the Oregon Health Authority. They use the latest data and best practices to protect the health and well-being of staff, children, and families…

(Salem, Ore.) – The Early Learning Division (ELD) is inviting parents and caregivers to take a 10-minute online survey related to safety precautions in child care during COVID-19. The survey is open until Monday, July 6, 2020 at 9 p.m. As the pandemic evolves and as Oregon reopens, the state…

(Salem, Ore.) – Today, the Early Learning Division (ELD) is announcing a second round of Emergency Child Care (ECC) grants to assist child care providers during the COVID-19 crisis. The grant program uses resources allocated to Oregon to support the state’s response to this emergency. The Request for Applications (RFA)…

(Salem, Ore) – The Secretary of State (SOS) released an audit today that identifies some areas where the Early Learning Division (ELD) can work to strengthen safety for children and background check processes for child care providers. The audit was initiated in part because of an awareness by the Governor’s…

(Salem, Ore.) – Today, the Early Learning Division (ELD) is releasing details of an Emergency Child Care grant program to assist open child care providers during the COVID-19 crisis. The grant program uses resources allocated to Oregon through the federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act and other Child Care…

(Salem, Ore.) – Governor Kate Brown today issued Executive Order 20-19, aligning the effective date of her emergency child care directives with other social distancing orders. The order maintains the closure of licensed child care facilities unless approved to provide Emergency Child Care, and it remains in effect until lifted…

Redmond Graduates Celebrate Milestone in Early Learning Late night studying is part of the daily routine for Maria Martinez of Bend. But she’s not your typical college student. The mother of three, who immigrated from Mexico after middle school, also works a full-time job as a child care provider. This…

Celebrate Summer Reading – Our Staff Share Their Picks   We asked ELD staff, including Early Learning System Director Miriam Calderon, to offer some of their favorite summer books for early learners. Research has long supported the benefits of reading aloud to young children, encouraging language development and the relationship…