BBF Fall Child Care Conversations

This fall, Building Bright Futures (BBF) is continuing their Child Care Conversations. They’ll hold two virtual conversations for families, providers, and other early childhood partners in the BBF Network on Friday, October 16, from 10:00 to 11:30 am (register here), and Monday, October 19, 6:30 to 8:30 pm (register here).

There will also be several in-person conversations geared toward early educators and other providers, including center-based directors and staff, family child care home providers, UPK coordinators, and school district staff:

Wednesday, October 14, 6:00 - 7:30 pm, Manchester Community Library, 138 Cemetery Ave., Manchester Center (register here)

Thursday, October 15, 6:00 - 7:30 pm, Rutland County Parent-Child Center 2Gen Building, 16 Chaplin Ave., Rutland (register here)

Wednesday, October 28, 6:00 - 7:30 pm, Bethany Church, 32 Main St., Randolph (register here)

At the in-person events, BBF will provide dinner and on-site child care, when requested.

Introduction to PQA and STARS Virtual Training Session – 10/14 and 11/18

Vermont’s Child Development Division (CDD) and Vermont Afterschool are hosting two virtual training sessions on October 14 and November 18 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm that will focus on how the Program Quality Assessment (PQA) tool and Vermont’s STep Ahead Recognition System (STARS) support quality and continuous improvement in afterschool programs, focusing on the three elements of quality: adult-child interactions, family engagement, and responsive practices.

Led by Courtney Isham, CDD’s STARS program administrator, and Tricia Pawlik, Vermont Afterschool’s senior associate for program quality, the session will provide an introduction to the PQA tool and to STARS.

Visit the Vermont Afterschool website for more information and to register.

Applications Open for 2027 VTAEYC Leading with Purpose Program – Due 11/5

The Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC) is now accepting applications for the 2027 VTAEYC Leading with Purpose program. Up to 15 participants will be selected to participate in this one-year program designed to engage emerging leaders in developing leadership and advocacy skills. This program is designed to help ECE professionals build a strong foundation in government functions and develop practical leadership and advocacy skills. 

Applications are due by Friday, November 5, 2026, at 5:00 pm. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance status by December 1, 2026.

For more information and to apply, visit this website, or contact Beth Wallace, VTAEYC Director of Engagement at [email protected].

Making Connections Mini-Conference: Rooted in Relationships – 11/14

Hosted by the Vermont Early Childhood Networks at the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children, Windham Early Childhood Educators Co-op, and Bennington Region Starting Points, join early childhood professionals for a day of connection, collaboration, and professional learning on November 14 from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm at the Old School Community Center in Wilmington.

Beginning with an opening keynote introducing the HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences) Framework, participants will explore the importance of positive childhood experiences and the connections that help children thrive. Through interactive workshops, educators will explore responsive relationships, relational leadership, and the ways shared experiences, nature, and the changing seasons strengthen connections.

For more information and to register, visit the Vermont Early Childhood Networks website.

7 School Street | Montpelier , Vermont 05602

vecaa.org

The Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance is a program of the Vermont Community Loan Fund.