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Incoming students continue to make strides in school readiness Page 03 Discuss & inform new State programs and initiatives Page 04 Help determine the child care scholarship rates Page 09 14 Core of Knowledge courses at no-cost Page 19
SPRING
Making a Great Birth through Five System Even Better levels and increased provider reimbursement rates in Superintendent, Division of Early Maryland, twenty percent more Childhood children are accessing child care “… A child’s access to quality scholarships than were this time experiences and the positive last year. That means more outcomes that result will no families are able to work or go longer be contingent on income, back to school, and more race, zip code, disability status, children are getting the great nor English language start they need for later success proficiency.” in school. The Governor’s budget this year includes additional -Vision statement from increases for provider Maryland’s PDG B-5 Application reimbursement and sustained We are at a time of incredible funding for our mixed-delivery support in Congress and in our Prekindergarten Expansion State for early childhood Grants this fall. And we are education. Thanks to increases anxiously waiting to see what from Washington for the Child additional opportunities will Care Development Fund, come out of the together with expanded child recommendations of the Kirwan care subsidy income eligibility By Steven Hicks, Assistant State
Table of Contents
Commission’s two years of deliberations. Maryland has been nationally recognized for our efforts to support young children. Last December, our state was ranked first in the nation, along with the District of Columbia, by the Bipartisan Policy Center for creating a successful, integrated and efficient early care and education system. While a great achievement, the Center also recommends two areas where we could improve. The first is to include licensing as the entry level for Maryland EXCELS to promote higher program quality for all settings. Continued on page 2
15 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 23 PROVIDER PROFILES
03 DIVISION NEWS
22 ASSOCIATIONS
07 DIRECTOR’S DUGOUT
24 PAST EVENTS
10 BRANCH NEWS
27 UPCOMING EVENTS
13 RESOURCES
l ISSUE 3 l 2019
