Northern Lights Professional Development Survey – Deadline 6/30 Every summer, Northern Lights sends out a survey asking early childhood and afterschool professionals for feedback on professional development. The survey results will be used for planning and shared with sponsors. The survey takes about 20 minutes to complete. It can be completed on a computer or on a smartphone. At the end of the survey, share your email address to be entered into a drawing to win a NAEYC resource book. The survey closes June 30. To fill out the survey, visit the Northern Lights website. | |
VTAEYC Accepting Nominations for Awards – Due 7/1 Each year, the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC) honors exceptional early childhood educators and allied professionals for their commitment. The awards are presented during their annual conference. VTAEYC is seeking nominations for six awards this year. Nominations are due July 1. For more information on each award and to nominate someone, visit the VTAEYC website. | |
VTAEYC to Manage New System for Program Access to Resources for Quality Supports (SPARQS) Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC) is facilitating a Child Development Division initiative, System for Program Access to Resources for Quality Supports (SPARQS), that will provide consultation, coaching, mentoring, technical assistance, and program quality assessment. Access to these resources will begin rolling out as early as July.
SPARQS will guide programs’ participation in the updated Step Ahead Recognition System (STARS) with continued support as programs work to reach their quality goals. Changes to STARS, Vermont’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS), are expected to go into effect starting on July 1, 2023, with full implementation on July 1, 2024. In addition, SPARQS will also provide support and resources for the Vermont Early Childhood Networks.
The SPARQS model is still taking shape, and more information about its resources and timeline will be posted on the STARS Revision Project webpage. | |
