Head Start East

04/29/2026

New Mexico just made child care universal, and the early numbers are remarkable.

Since lifting the income eligibility cap in November 2025, the state has grown from 32,000 to 48,000 children in the child care system. Three-quarters of newly enrolled infants and toddlers are in four- and five-star care. And they did it with a workforce wage scale already in law, a reimbursement model that rewards quality, and an eleven-billion-dollar trust fund built specifically for early childhood investment.

In the latest episode of Early Childhood Chats, Andy talks with Kendall Chavez, Deputy Secretary of New Mexico's ECECD, about how this happened, what it means for families and educators, and what other states can learn from it.

Listen at earlychildhoodchats.com or watch here: https://youtu.be/feLFA6g5rtw

If you work in early childhood, this one is worth your time.

04/27/2026

Immigration questions are showing up in real time across early childhood programs, and too many teams are left without clear guidance.

Join immigration attorney Yi Lee for a focused, one-hour webinar designed to give you practical, fact-based answers you can use immediately.

🗓 May 27 | 1–2 PM
💻 Live Webinar
💲 $35

Clarity your program can act on.

Register now by scanning the QR code or going here: https://pci.jotform.com/form/260955611478162

04/23/2026

Bravo!!

La Casa de Don Pedro President & CEO Peter T. Rosario on being invited to roundtable discussion with Governor Mikie Sherrill to discuss the needs of Latinx communities in New Jersey:

“I was truly humbled and honored to represent La Casa de Don Pedro, at the invitation of Governor Mikie Sherrill, in a roundtable discussion with top Latinx leaders and organizations throughout the state.

The unwavering support and encouragement I receive from our Board of Directors and incredible staff is what allows me to elevate the incredible work we do on a daily basis.

Seeing my name on that placeholder and having a 'seat at the table' is an opportunity I do not take lightly. This experience has given me a new level of appreciation for my role as the torchbearer of the incredible legacy that was forged by so many who came before us, those of us in service today, and those who will carry the flame into the future.”

04/22/2026

🌳 National Playground Safety Week (April 20–24)

Playgrounds should be fun and safe. This week is a reminder to check in on the spaces where kids play every day.

More than 200,000 children are injured on playgrounds each year, often from falls. A few simple checks can help:

✔️ Use proper surfacing
✔️ Watch for hazards or sharp edges
✔️ Keep equipment well-spaced and maintained
✔️ Always supervise play

Creating safe play spaces is something we can all be part of.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/playgrounds/public-playground-safety-checklist

04/22/2026

04/21/2026

We're so excited to be part of the 2026 Preschool Autism Summit, July 12–15, 2026!

My session is all about turning safety from a checklist into everyday practice through routines, communication, and team accountability.

This is going to be such a valuable event for educators and leaders.

👀 More details dropping in May/June. Keep an eye out!

04/17/2026

Nicely done!!!

04/11/2026

Spring is here 🌸🌿 Longer days, warmer weather, and a perfect time to get outside! Remember these safety tips while you soak it all in:

☀️ Wear sunscreen & stay hydrated
🚴‍♀️ Be alert on roads. More bikes & pedestrians are out
🌧️ Watch for slippery surfaces on rainy days
🐝 Be mindful of allergies & insects. Keep bug spray or medicine handy
🌳 Check weather before outdoor plans - spring storms can pop up fast

Enjoy the season, stay safe, and make the most of every sunny moment

04/10/2026

"Handwriting, as innocuous as it seems, is deeply human. For us not to teach that skill is as awful as not teaching them how to read." — Holly Britton, Squiggle Squad

New episode of Early Childhood Chats is live! Holly joined Andy to talk about the developmental science behind handwriting, what it means that up to 80% of kids are currently being pulled for literacy interventions, and how play-based classrooms can build handwriting foundations without a worksheet in sight.

This episode will completely change how you think about early education.

🎧 Listen here: https://childhoodchats.transistor.fm/
💻 Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/InNJoyXoyDg

04/09/2026

Great FREE training for Virginia based programs! Virginia Association for the Education of Young Children Virginia Head Start Association

Cyber attacks are at an all-time high—and child care programs are not immune. In fact, 1 in 4 programs experienced a cyber attack in the past year. Now is the time to revisit your digital safety practices.

Led by the Institute for Childhood Preparedness, this session will cover:
• How to identify cyber threats and assess your risk
• Ways to protect your personal information
• Best practices for staying safe online and on social media
• The importance of mobile device security
• Promoting digital citizenship for families and staff

Register today: https://stage.worklifesystems.com/training/25

04/09/2026

If you have ever watched a child grip a pencil in a full fist and write every letter from the bottom up — or had a third grader who could not get their thoughts onto paper despite clearly having so much to say — this conversation is for you.

Holly Britton, founder of Squiggle Squad Handwriting
joined Early Childhood Chats this week to talk about why handwriting is one of the most overlooked foundational skills in early childhood education, and what teachers and parents can do to bring it back — even in play-based classrooms.

She also shared a free resource available right now at squigglesquad.com that you can use with your students today.

Listen at earlychildhoodchats.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome to "Early Childhood Chats," the podcast dedicated to all things related to early childhood education. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of early childhood development, parenting tips, teaching strategies, and the latest research in the field. Hosted by passionate educators and e...

04/08/2026

Keep up the great work La Casa de Don Pedro !