to Operate the Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood

(Dover, DE.)  Delaware’s Department of Education (DOE) has awarded a contractto the University of Delaware who in partnership with Family & Workplace Connection, a division of Children and Families First, will implement and operate the Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood.

The Institute will:

• collaborate with other organizations, institutions and agencies that offer professional development and quality initiatives in early childhood and act as a clearinghouse to make these services accessible to all sectors of the early childhood field. 
• develop and deliver professional development experiences that support the DDOE integrated professional development framework for early childhood practitioners. 
• conduct an annual needs assessment and create new professional development opportunities to meet the priorities established by the Delaware Early Childhood Council Committee on Professional Development. 
• recruit, prepare and support trainers and technical assistants in providing professional development and quality initiatives to improve early childhood programs. 

The majority of the $2.4 million will come from the federal Child Care Development Fund.  The contract for the first year will be for $865,000 with the remaining funds to be distributed in years two and three of the contract.

“Research confirms that professional development of staff is a critical component for improving the quality of early care and education programs,” said Kathy Wilson, education associate for the Delaware First program at DOE.  “I look forward to working with our partners to create quality professional development opportunities for the early childhood workforce.”

In 1989, Delaware created the nation’s first career development system for early care and education providers known as “Delaware First…Again.”  This system included curriculum development, training and resource centers. 

In 2006, the Delaware First system moved to the Office of Early Care and Education in DOE to integrate with K-12 professional development and also serve a broader range of the early childhood workforce. 

In 2008, a new professional development framework for early childhood was established along with recommendations for the delivery and tracking of professional development.  DOE will be responsible for the development of standards and policies for the Institute. 

Delaware’s Department of Education is committed to promoting the highest quality education for every Delaware student by providing visionary leadership and superior service.