March 2-6 is Read Across America week. Visiting your local library is a great way to find new and diverse books for your young child in this week's celebration!

The Research Institute at WOU invites families and early learning and care professionals to help redesign the statewide Quality Recognition Improvement System (Spark). You will earn $50 per hour for about 50 hours of work between late March and July. oregonspark.org/spark-redesign/

How can Oregon better serve young children and their families? The state is asking for public feedback on their plan for the early childhood system. Visit oregonearlylearning.com/raise-up-oregon to complete a feedback form. The deadline is April 30, 2023.

Our website may be down for a few days. We are working to restore service. In the meantime, all staff emails are operating correctly, and general questions can go to [email protected] Also, the Central Background Registry can still be reached: secure.emp.state.or.us/ccd/

It's Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month! Many caregivers struggle with their own mental well-being. That's why Healthy Families Oregon provides depression screening to connect caregivers with mental health services & family support. #HFO30years #WeArePreventionOregon

Child care providers make all work possible. This week we encourage you to thank your child care provider for all they do! Just a few words, letting providers know how they help your family, can mean a lot.

According to a new report from Oregon State University, child care slots for Oregon's young children grew by almost 5% from March 2020 to Dec. 2022. This is thanks, in part, to increased public funding for child care. Read more: health.oregonstate.edu/early-learners…

Oregon has recognized the importance and effectiveness of Head Start by investing in Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten since 1987. From early math skills to confidence & resilience, the #HeadStart model supports children on their path to success in school and in life.

It's Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month! Many caregivers struggle with their own mental well-being. That's why Healthy Families Oregon provides depression screening to connect caregivers with mental health services & family support. #HFO30years #WeArePreventionOregon

The latest issue of our Child Care Updates newsletter is available online. Inside this issue: Update on the expanded eligibility through the ERDC program, OSU child care desert report, and Jumpstart kindergarten toolkit oregonearlylearning.com/child-care-upd…

If you are attending the NAEYC Professional Learning Institute, make sure to join the online study group for opportunities to connect and share in the experience.

Hey Oregon families, have you heard? The Early Learning Division and the Employment Related Day Care program are unifying to create the Department of Early Learning and Care on 7/1/23: oregonearlylearning.com/HB3073

Over the next few years, DELC will create more efficient systems to help families access child care, and better serve children across the state. oregonearlylearning.com/four-weeks-ore…

Great news for Oregon families: the launch of the Dept. of Early Learning and Care on 7/1/23 means eligible families can now receive cash and child care assistance at the same time and there will be fewer reasons for child care to end early: oregonearlylearning.com/HB3073#ERDC-Mi…

The ELD is currently going through an IT transition. We are experiencing temporary interruption of service to some emails. If you need assistance immediately, please give us a call! Central office: (503) 947-1400 General child care licensing questions: 1 (800) 556-6616

Congratulations, Dr. Williams! ✨

You may have noticed we have a new name and logo – we’re now officially the Department of Early Learning and Care, and we’re here to put Oregon’s children and families first!

We are proud to share that many of the recommendations the The White House has made [bit.ly/3JVQvP5] to improve access to child care are already in place in Oregon. To learn more about our Employment Related Day Care program, visit: bit.ly/3NMYlfi

The OCC Customer Service phone tree is currently sending callers who select “all other questions” to the wrong place. To connect with customer service, select “Checking if someone is enrolled in the Central Background Registry” or email [email protected]

The Oregon Early Learning Council approved the adoption of Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) that apply to certified child care centers. These rules will go into effect on January 1, 2024. Until that date, the current rules remain in effect. oregon.gov/delc/providers…