Child Care Chronicles
TEXAS Edition
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Honoring Service. Celebrating Care. Growing Together.
As Memorial Day weekend approaches, we pause to remember and honor the brave individuals who gave their lives in service to our country. This weekend is also a meaningful reminder of the values we carry into early childhood education every day: care, commitment, community, and service.
To our child care providers, educators, directors, and families — thank you for the heart you bring to children each day. Your work builds safe spaces, strong relationships, and brighter futures. As we move into the summer season, may this week bring you encouragement, inspiration, and a renewed sense of purpose.
| | Stars, Stripes & Fresh Finds | |
💰 Grant Section
Opportunities That Help Programs Grow
Are you leading a program that supports young children and families in Texas? The Meadows Foundation offers grant funding to nonprofits focused on education, mental health, and community development. This is a great opportunity to strengthen your early learning work.
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🏢 ChildCareEd Business Broker Program
Are you interested in buying, selling, opening, or expanding a child care business?
Please complete the interest form first so we can review your information and guide you to the next step.
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March Into Summer with New Skills
Sign Up for Upcoming Instructor-Led Courses
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Looking for live support and guided learning?
ChildCareEd offers upcoming instructor-led courses to help early childhood educators learn, ask questions, and grow with confidence.
Reserve your spot and explore upcoming instructor-led training here:
https://www.childcareed.com/
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A Salute to the Educators Who Give Their All
Teacher Appreciation Giveaway
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We are celebrating teachers with a special giveaway!
Two $50 gift cards are up for grabs, and every applicant can receive a FREE course.
Click to Enter Giveaway
Two Loving Steps to Enter:
1️⃣ Follow ChildCareEd on at least one social media channel.
2️⃣ Select a FREE course:
Choose either Building Vocabulary or CDA Introduction, add it to your cart, and check out.
No credit card is required.
Winners will be announced May 27.
ChildCareEd Teacher Appreciation Giveaway Entry Form
| | | Faith-Friendly Holidays & Observances | | |
Shavuot for Young Learners
Shavuot begins at sundown on Thursday, May 21, and continues through Saturday, May 23. This meaningful Jewish holiday gives children a chance to learn about tradition, storytelling, gratitude, and community in a simple, age-appropriate way.
Child care programs can introduce Shavuot through stories, crafts, and classroom conversations that help children explore how different families celebrate special days. For ready-to-use ideas, explore our Shavuot resources here:
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The Hajj: A Lesson in Unity 🕋
The Hajj is expected to begin around Sunday, May 24, with dates depending on the moon sighting. This important Islamic pilgrimage brings Muslims from around the world together in faith, reflection, and community.
Child care programs can introduce The Hajj in a simple, age-appropriate way by talking about kindness, unity, helping others, and respecting different family traditions. Explore our Hajj resources here:
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Eid al-Adha: Kindness & Community 🌙
Eid al-Adha is expected to begin around Wednesday, May 27, with dates depending on the moon sighting. This important Islamic holiday is a time for family, generosity, reflection, and community.
Child care programs can introduce Eid al-Adha in a simple, respectful way through stories, crafts, sharing activities, and conversations about kindness and helping others. For ready-to-use ideas, explore our Eid al-Adha resources here:
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Career Bundle Spotlight
Pack Your Professional Development Bag
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Career Programs (Discounted Training Bundles) | |
ChildCareEd Career Programs are discounted, state-specific training bundles that help early childhood professionals meet requirements and follow clear career pathways. Explore options like preservice, annual training, and role-based tracks for teachers, directors, family child care providers, and more.
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Director’s Corner
Leading with Service, Strength, and Support
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Our Group Admin feature makes managing staff training simple, flexible, and cost-effective.
You can purchase online training hours at discounted rates with variable pricing, so the more hours you buy, the more you save.
Training hours never expire, giving you the opportunity to plan ahead and protect your future training budget from rising costs.
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One Community. Many Voices. One Canvas.
We are excited to invite child care professionals, educators, directors, and community partners to join us for Many Colors, One Canvas: MD ECE Conference.
Interested in becoming a sponsor for the conference? We have several sponsorship opportunities for local businesses.
For sponsorship information, email: grants@childcareed.com
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Fresh Training for a Fresh Season:
New Class Alert!
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Equity-Centered Communication in ECE
This course covers two-way and intercultural communication, effective listening and adjusting to different styles, and the most effective ways to listen to children. You’ll also practice collaboration strategies across programs and roles and learn to partner with linguistically diverse families. With anti-bias tools and purposeful professional growth, you’ll communicate more equitably, strengthen family partnerships, and contribute to cohesive, high-quality team decisions.
✅ Enroll here:
| | | Savings Worth Celebrating | | |
Little Learners, Big Summer Smiles:
Classroom Ideas to Explore 💖
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Classroom Ideas to Explore
Bring Memorial Day weekend themes into the classroom in age-appropriate, respectful ways by focusing on community, kindness, helping, and gratitude. ❤️🤍💙
Classroom ideas:
💌 Thank You Cards
Children can create simple cards for community helpers or family members.
🎨 Red, White, and Blue Art
Use safe materials like crayons, tissue paper, paint, or collage pieces to create patriotic-themed art.
🚶♀️ Kindness Parade
Invite children to march around the room while naming kind actions, such as helping, sharing, cleaning up, and using gentle hands.
🌺 Memory Flower Craft
Children can make paper flowers while teachers talk about remembering people we care about in simple, child-friendly language.
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Training That Comes to Your Team
Request Onsite or Virtual Training
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Bring professional development directly to your program. 💻🏫
ChildCareEd offers onsite and virtual training options to help your staff meet requirements, strengthen skills, and learn together as a team.
Whether your program needs training on health and safety, child development, classroom management, or other topics, we can help support your staff.
Ask about onsite or virtual training options for your program and help your staff grow together.?
☀️ Spanish Language Support for Select Group Trainings
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A Moment to Reflect, A Chance to Grow
📰 Article of the Week
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👧 Texas TECPDS: What Child Care Providers Need to Know
If you work in child care in Texas, learning about #TECPDS can save you time and help your program stay ready for licensing visits. TECPDS is the Texas Early Childhood Professional Development System. It helps teachers and directors track training and keep certificates safe. This article explains the basics, why it matters, and simple steps you can take now. We use plain steps and links to trusted resources from ChildCareEd and TECPDS so you can get started fast.
Continue Reading
| | | | Share the Care This Memorial Day Weekend📱💖 | |
Share the Care This Memorial Day Weekend
Stay connected with us on social media for updates, course announcements, child care tips, giveaways, and classroom inspiration. 📲
Post idea:
“This Memorial Day weekend, we honor those who served and remember the power of community. Thank you to child care providers who serve children and families with care every day.”
Suggested hashtags:
#ChildCareEd #EarlyChildhoodEducation #MarylandChildCare #TeacherAppreciation
#MemorialDayWeekend #ECECommunity
| | 🌈 Emotion Meltdown Management
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🫶 Stay calm first — children borrow our tone and energy.
🗣️ Use simple words — “You’re upset. I’m here to help.”
💨 Practice deep breaths together to slow the moment down.
👀 Watch for triggers like hunger, noise, or tiredness.
🤗 Offer comfort and connection before correction.
🎨 Give a calm-down choice like coloring, a cozy corner, or sensory play.
⏳ Keep routines consistent to help children feel safe.
- 💛 Praise recovery — “You calmed your body. Great job.”
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Did You Know? 💡
Did you know earning a CDA Credential can help early childhood educators grow their skills, build confidence, and provide higher-quality care for young children?
A CDA supports teachers in understanding child development, creating safe and engaging classrooms, building positive relationships with families, and helping children learn through age-appropriate activities. It is also a great step for educators who want to grow professionally in the early childhood field.
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🔔 Subscriptions Available
Year-Round Learning, Year-Round Support
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🎁 One subscription. Endless learning. Real savings.
Train on your schedule and finish strong—no stress, no rushing.
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As Memorial Day weekend approaches, we honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. We also recognize the dedication of child care providers who continue to support children, families, and communities every day. Wishing you a safe, peaceful, and meaningful Memorial Day weekend.
With appreciation,
ChildCareEd
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