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Summer Issue 2026 Resources for Schools and Families Office of Early Learning

Summer Resources for Families

School districts play an important role in helping families prepare for the transition from the school year to summer. As the school year wraps up, consider sharing resources and information such as:

Where families can find free summer meal programs

Local summer camps, child care options, and tutoring opportunities

Simple ways students can keep learning during the summer

Keep reading for helpful resources you can share with families before the school year ends!

Summer Learning

Maintaining consistent cognitive and social engagement during the summer months is vital for early childhood development. The childhood brain develops quickly, which is why uninterrupted mental stimulation, such as reading, hands-on problem solving, and opportunities to maximize vocabulary and pre-literacy development during this time, is crucial. Summer programs and activities encourage peer interaction, leadership development, and independence. Consistent routines during the summer also make the transition back into a formal school environment smoother, boosting children’s self-esteem and lowering anxiety. Here are a few links that provide resources to support summer learning.

Summer Learning Association: Summer Learning Ideas

National Education Association (NEA) Resources to Support Summer Learning

Reading Rockets: Summer Reading and Learning

Reading Rockets Get Ready for Summer: Ideas for Teachers to Share with Families

National PTA Summer Learning Resources

NAEYC Summer Learning Resource for Families

Summer Meal Resources

Ensuring that children receive nutritious meals during the summer months is crucial. The following resources will connect families with local meal sites and program details.

Hunger Solutions New York

Summer Meals NYC

USDA Summer Meals Site Finder

Connect with Local Libraries

School districts can collaborate with local libraries to offer crucial summer services that benefit students and families. Many libraries provide a wealth of resources, such as summer reading programs that prevent learning loss, access to computers and the internet for research and online learning, and engaging activities like storytime and workshops that foster creativity and critical thinking.

To ensure families are aware of the great summer opportunities available at their local library, districts can distribute information through multiple channels. Consider adding information about library events through newsletters, social media, and school websites. Many libraries have a full calendar of free summer activities to share with families!

Find Your Local NYS Library

It's Here! Summer Reading at New York State Libraries

Are you looking for ways to promote fun and educational adventures and activities for Summer Reading to students and families this year? These short and entertaining PSAs in English and Spanish on YouTube are now available to help with outreach! These resources can be used to promote Summer Reading participation and programs throughout your community by posting on different platforms like websites, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

Check out the variety of promotional resources that are provided through the CSLP YouTube Channel and the Summer Reading at New York Libraries site on the State Library’s Youth Services pages. The Promote Your Summer Reading Program page includes a Summer Reading toolkit for schools and school libraries! School and community libraries can also check out the Libraries and Literacy webinar for ideas on how to support young readers and families on their literacy journey.

Questions? Contact NYSLYouth@nysed.gov.

NYS Early Childhood Leadership & Policy Summit

The Office of Early Learning participated in a panel discussion on May 18th at the New York State Early Childhood Leadership & Policy Summit in Albany, NY. The panel discussion, “Systems in Sync: How Early Childhood Programs Interact at Age Three,” included (pictured from left to right): Erik Sweet, OEL Executive Director, Joy Connelly, Associate Commissioner at Office of Children and Family Services, Meredith Chimento, Executive Director of the Early Care and Learning Council, Dr. Sequana Wright Chung, NYCDOE Educational Administrator and Assessment Specialist, Suzanne Bolling, NYSED Preschool Special Education Office, and Patty Percell, NYS Head Start Collaboration Director and Early Childhood Policy Director. The panel discussion focused on different program models and resources for 3-year-old students and how to best get this information to families.

PBS Kids: For Parents

PBS KIDS for Parents offers resources and information to help parents support their children's learning and development. This includes educational activities, tips on child development, and guidance on raising children. They also provide resources for parents to engage with their children in meaningful conversations about a range of topics.

Family Resources from PBS Kids

Did you know? PBS Learning Media has lessons and videos available in multiple languages! Teachers and families can filter by grade level, language, or resource type.

Permanent Adoption of Section 136.10 Relating to Statewide Protocols for Diapering and Toileting

Section 136.10 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to Statewide Protocols for Diapering has been permanently adopted by the Board of Regents and went into effect on March 27, 2026.

These regulations establish uniform statewide protocols for student diapering and toileting in public schools, including requirements for safe, accessible equipment, supplies, facilities, and procedures that promote a healthy and safe environment.

The Office of Early Learning has created a Diapering and Toileting webpage to consolidate information and resources regarding this regulation, as well as a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions document.

Please reach out to the Office of Early Learning at OEL@nysed.gov with any questions.

Celebrate America's 250th Anniversary with Resources from PBS!

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, PBS offers engaging resources to help young learners explore our nation's history, people, and communities. Discover America 250, a curated collection of P–3 classroom resources from PBS Learning Media, and learn about PBS KIDS Across America, which highlights the diverse stories and experiences that shape our country. Also coming soon is Tapestry of New York, a new digital arts initiative from WNET/THIRTEEN that invites K–12 students to respond creatively to the theme "We the People" through original artwork and reflection.

Literacy Instructional Best Practices - Required Yearly Review

The Literacy Instructional Best Practices – Required Yearly Review Memo from Deputy Commissioner Angelique Johnson-Dingle has been posted to the NYSED P-3 Literacy Instructional Best Practices webpage. Per Education Law §818, all districts must complete an annual review of curriculum and instruction to ensure continued alignment with the Literacy Best Practices.

For more information on the literacy best practices and the New York State Literacy Initiative, please see the following resources:

VRNSK Corner Voluntary Registered Nursery Schools and Kindergartens

The following resources and reminders are for New York State's Voluntary Registered Nursery Schools and Kindergartens (VRNSK).

Voluntary Registered Nursery Schools and Kindergartens Website

VRNSK Program Overview

Commissioner's Regulations Part 125

Important Dates and Deadlines

July 31: Annual Reports due for all registered Nursery Schools and Kindergartens.

September 30, 2026: Renewal Applications due for all Nursery Schools and Kindergartens whose registrations will expire June 30 of the 2026-2027 program year.

New Registration Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

On-site visits occur from October through May each year for schools that are applying to become registered or for registration renewals.

Any questions or inquiries can be sent directly to VRNSK@nysed.gov.

Questions?

The Office of Early Learning provides technical assistance to districts regarding Prekindergarten - Grade 3 instruction and best practices. Our office also answers questions regarding UPK funding and program implementation. You can contact us at oel@nysed.gov or (518) 474-5807.

Office of Early Learning

Erik Sweet, Executive Director

Lori Smart, Director

Tanya Amodio-Kovacs, Supervisor

Tiffany Horen, Supervisor

Vicky Woods, Supervisor

Associates in Instructional Services

Lauren Cosamano, Carly Feldman, Jason Gish,

Noelle Lake, Christine Lyons, Terry Onofrio,

Brandon Orszulak, Madison Ramnes, Tina Rose-Turriglio,

Christina Ryan, Michelle Sidoti, Zak Snyder

Assistants in Instructional Services

Samantha Chobot, Chloe Ng,

Rachel Schlude, Megan Tobiasen

Administrative Specialist 1

Meghan Hooley

Education Finance Specialist 2

Eric Feml-Nelsen

Education Finance Specialist 1

James Bordis, Gregory Shaw, Hidaya Madi