Delaware Stars New Advisory Committee
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More than 60 of you participated in last month's Delaware Stars Advisory Committee survey - thank you! Your feedback is critical to the creation of an effective committee.
There is still time to participate in the Advisory Committee.
The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 2, 2015 at...[for more information click here]
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Delaware Professional Development Now Online Training
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| New Infant Care Online Trainings Now Available |
The Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Movement began in the United States in 1987. On October 25, 1988, American President Ronald Reagan designated the entire month of October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Each year in the United States, there are about 3,500
Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUID). These deaths occur among infants less than 1 year old and have no obvious cause.
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Professional Development Inclement Weather Policy
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| The DIEEC will put notice of workshops cancelled due to weather on the website. If you are unable to check the website, you may call the main phone number at 302-831-3239...[click here to read the full notice] |
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December Professional Development Raffle
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Have you taken a DEPD Now Online training? If so share your experience! Email us at
[email protected] and enter for a chance to win a prize!
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New Environment Rating Scale Assessment Procedure
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| Effective January 1, 2016 |
Conducting an assessment within a 60 day window allows a program to demonstrate that they meet Stars standards
every day, not just on the day of an assessment. This visit, along with the verification process, acknowledges that programs meet Stars standards for three years.
This un-announced process for assessing and verifying programs' consistent use of effective practices is used in other states and by national accrediting organizations. Delaware's Office of Child Care Licensing recently moved to unannounced visits for center licensing as well.
You will be able to choose which days within a 60 day time period you would NOT like us to visit, and we will select one of those dates...[read more here] |
New System for Tiered Reimbursement Payments
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Click here
for information on a new system for Tiered Reimbursement.
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Delaware Stars Town Hall Webinar
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Not able to attend a recent Delaware Stars Town Hall Meeting? No problem!
Click here
for a recording of the webinar and printable handouts! (print out also available in Spanish)
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New Teaching Strategies Gold Training Date
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We have added a new Implementing Teaching Strategies Gold training date in Kent County. The training will be held on
December 1st and 2nd from 6:30-9:30 PM at Polytech High School. If you are interested in attending the training, please call Sarah Janus at 302-831-4787.
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The 100th Star Level 5 Awarded
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There was much to celebrate at the Christina Early Education Center (CEEC) on October 21, 2015:
- The 100th Star Level 5 to a center-based program was awarded to the CEEC (pictured Governor Markell and CEEC Principal Rebecca Ryan)
- The CEEC is the first fully inclusive Stars public school program
- The Governor and elected officials (including Secretary Ronji, Secretary Godowsky, and State Representatives Michael Ramone and Ed Osienski) were there to recognize the importance of Delaware Stars and to celebrate with the CEEC
Governor Markell said, "This is such an important celebration. We have learned much over the years about what a quality early childhood program means in terms of transforming the lives of our young people. This is not some theory, this is science, and it is grounded in biology, and neurology, and sociology. An economist from no less than the Federal Reserve Bank said the most effective economic development that a state can make is in early childhood education. So for us to have the opportunity today to celebrate the 100th Star Level 5 program is extraordinary. So what does it all mean?...
[click here for full article]
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Training Spotlight: Inclusion Best Practice
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Including all children, of all abilities together in one setting, is becoming more common in Early Care and Education. Federal Law, the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), encourages inclusive settings for students with physical, mental, emotional, or sensory impairments. Part C of IDEA, which serves children birth to the age of three and their families, requires early intervention services be provided to infants and toddlers with identified needs in their natural environments, which for many children, means children in family childcare and childcare centers.
Including all children in childcare settings, is not just a legal requirement or moral decision; there is research that shows that inclusion has many benefits to all children in care and to parents and families as well. It is important to consider that many children are participating in childcare when they are first referred, and while they are being evaluated for services. These children need the support, understanding and intentional skills of professionals to have opportunities to engage rather than experience additional challenges of exclusion of being misunderstood...
[read full article here]
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TA Tidbits: Smooth Transitions
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4 Tips to help your daily schedule run a little smoother
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 Transitions are a part of every classroom. Whether you are a family child care provider or a teacher in a center, transitions between activities are a part of your day. Transition times can be tricky because moving between activities can often cause...
[read more here]
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Delaware Stars and Office of Child Care Licensing Collaboration
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Delaware Stars and the Office of Child Care Licensing staff have been meeting regularly for the past year. The goal has been to cross walk the licensing regulations for child care providers with the Delaware Stars program standards. This will help both organizations to better support you!
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Family Child Care Program Spotlight
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Phyllis Felton-Green, Hannah's Child Care
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You've heard the saying, "Children learn what they live." On a recent visit to family child care provider Phyllis Felton Green's program, Hannah's Child Care, that's exactly what was happening.
While Phyllis was interacting with 10 month old Lewis, 3 year old RJ showed what happens daily in her program. He announced that he was the teacher and sat baby dolls around a table. He proceeded to demonstrate with a toy barn and wooden animals where each of the animals sleeps. He moved the baby dolls to the circle area, and began a lesson on the letter D and the colors orange and black. He read his own version of "The Three Little Pigs," showing the baby dolls pictures, asking them questions like, "What would you do if a wolf blew your house down? and...[read full article here]
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In Memory of Deborah Litteral
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 Debbie Litteral, owner of Debbie's Daycare in Claymont, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 3rd. Debbie operated her Family Child Care program since 1998 and provided early care and education to many children with individual learning and social emotional needs and often enrolled children who struggled in traditional child care settings.
Debbie began her journey with Delaware Stars in August 2013 as part of a family child care cohort, and she achieved her Star Level 4 designation in the Spring of 2015. In addition to serving the children and families in care, Debbie was also a foster parent to more than 30 children over the years. Debbie leaves behind 3 grown children in addition to her two younger children, ages 8 and 16. Debbie has touched the lives of many over the years, and she will be missed. In memory of Debbie, and to assist her children with their educational expenses, a scholarship fund has been set up through giveforward.com. If you wish to donate you can
click here.
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