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Funding Opportunities Open to Expand Preschool and Early Learning Services in Oregon
January 31, 2020
(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…
Oregon Awarded $26.6 Million Federal Grant to Expand Preschool, Early Learning Services
December 23, 2019
(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…
Governor Brown Appoints New Members of Early Learning Council
October 29, 2019
(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…
Preparing your child for preschool
August 22, 2019
This month, we share advice and insights from Lindsay Pearson, an Early Learning Division Preschool Program Specialist, on how parents and preschool aged children can start a successful school year. What does learning look like in preschool? In preschool, children learn best through play. Preschool teachers know that play dough…
Redmond Graduates Celebrate Milestone in Early Learning
July 1, 2019
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
June 17, 2019
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…
Temporary Rules Now Permanent
April 15, 2019
On March 28, 2019, the Early Learning Council adopted several temporary child care rules, making them permanent. Here is a summary of those changes: Applicable to all providers: Central Background Registry (CBR) Rules update the crimes that are considered disqualifying conditions for enrolling in the CBR. Also, adds programs that…
Governor Brown issues proclamation for “Week of the Young Child”
April 9, 2019
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…
Temporary to Permanent Rules Now Open for Public Comment
February 22, 2019
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 Releases Kindergarten Assessment Results for 2018-19
February 14, 2019
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…
Governor Brown Kicks Off Raise Up Oregon Plan
February 6, 2019
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…
Raise Up Oregon Legislative Breakfast Kick-Off
February 4, 2019
The Early Learning Council will be holding a Legislative Kick-Off Breakfast to launch Raise Up Oregon: A Statewide Early Learning System Plan on Tuesday, February 5th at 8:00 a.m. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. at the State Library. Program to begin promptly at 8 a.m. Due to capacity limits, please…
The Office of State Fire Marshal recently moved to a new website
January 30, 2019
The Office of State Fire Marshal recently moved to a new website and the link to the Renewal of License Fire Safety Inspection Form in OCC renewal/pre-cert packets (LIC-346A) is no longer active. The following links are updated and working: State Fire Marshal Website Licensed Facilities Referral for Fire Safety…
Office of Child Care (OCC) Statutory Workgroup Meets November 8, 2018
November 7, 2018
The Office of Child Care Statutory Workgroup will meet on Thursday, November 8, 2018. The meeting will be held in Salem, Oregon at the State Capitol, Room 162 from 10:00am-12:00pm.* Agenda and meeting materials are posted below. The State Capitol is located at 900 Court Street NE, Salem, OR 97301. For…
COSA Statewide Early Learning Conference: November 7-9, 2018
October 16, 2018
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…
Salem drinking water contaminated, children shouldn’t drink tap water
May 29, 2018
DO NOT DRINK THE TAP WATER – MAY 29, 2018 INFANTS, YOUNG CHILDREN, AND OTHER VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS Applies to City of Salem, City of Turner, Suburban East Salem Water District, and Orchard Heights Water Association https://www.cityofsalem.net/Pages/drinking-water-advisory.aspx WHY IS THERE AN ADVISORY? Low levels of cylindrospermopsin and microcystin (cyanotoxins) have…
Child Care and Development Fund State Plan 2019-2021 Open for Public Comment
May 24, 2018
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…
Public Comment Closing: Licensed Child Care & Regulated Child Care Facilities
May 18, 2018
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)…
Public Hearing Scheduled & Public Comment Extended: Licensed Child Care & Regulated Child Care Facilities
May 1, 2018
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…
2018 OREGON CHILD CARE MARKET PRICE STUDY IS NOW AVAILABLE
April 19, 2018
Oregon Child Care Market Price Study The Market Price Study identifies child care prices and geographic distribution of these prices across the state as well as examines geographic patterns in the prices charged by facility by age of child served, type of care, and pricing modes (hourly, monthly, etc). 2018…
Rule Revision: Licensed Child Care & Regulated Child Care Facilities
March 23, 2018
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…
Rule Revision: Repeal Special Populations & Migrant Seasonal Farm Workers Programs
March 12, 2018
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…
Emergency Preparedness Survey
March 7, 2018
The Early Learning Division is working with a group to create a statewide Early Learning Emergency Preparedness and Recovery Plan for child care facilities. Emergency management personnel, early learning educators, and other disaster preparedness, tribal representatives, and agency staff have a goal to develop a plan that provides value to…
ODE Seeking Director of Communications
March 5, 2018
The Oregon Department of Education is seeking an innovative and dynamic executive to lead our Communication's Office. This position is a Principal Executive/Manager F, full-time, and serves on the agency's management team. The purpose of this position is to provide agency leadership with a comprehensive public affairs program. To accomplish this, the…
The Early Learning Division is moving and CBR Online Application outage
February 9, 2018
The Early Learning Division will be moving both of their Salem offices to the Veteran’s Building, 3rd floor. The ELD Central Office staff will move effective February 26, 2018. The ELD Division of State Lands staff will move effective March 5, 2018. The mailing address for this building is 700…
2017-18 Preliminary Kindergarten Assessment Results
February 8, 2018
2017-18 preliminary kindergarten assessment results show correlation with 3rd grade skills The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and the Early Learning Division (ELD) today jointly released results from the 2017-18 kindergarten assessment. This year, for the first time, there is a cohort of students who have taken both the kindergarten…
Public Testimony: Lead Testing in Licensed and Regulated Child Care Facilities
January 24, 2018
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…
Oregon’s Infant Toddler State Self-Assessment is on the road!
January 23, 2018
This assessment is intended to gather information about Oregon’s infants and toddlers and their families and the services and systems in place to support them; with the goal of putting action steps in place to strengthen supports and services. The team, a partnership between the Early Learning Division, the Oregon…
Office of Child Care (OCC) Statutory Workgroup Meets January 17, 2018
January 11, 2018
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…
A Visit to Tribal Head Start Programs – by Shawna Rodrigues
December 27, 2017
There are nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon, and five of these tribes have federally grant funded Head Start classrooms as part of their services for children and families. The unique government-to-government relationship that accompanies these grants means there is a specific Region (referred to as Region 11) that supports…