Join the Conversation on Early Childhood Learning
Few will argue that Delaware’s young children are the key to the state’s future prosperity. Today’s toddlers are tomorrow’s leaders, after all.
That’s why it’s so important to provide each child with the best start possible. During the first five years of life, our brains develop at lightning speed. The mental architecture we build during that window can create either a strong or weak foundation for all future learning. In fact, these years are so defining that they can predict later academic achievement and successes in life and career.
Together, the Delaware Early Childhood Council and the Office of Early Learning have much to share on the subject—but they want to hear from you, too.
Beginning on March 30 and continuing through April 1, the groups will hold a series of seven public community conversation across the state to discuss the current status and future priorities for the state’s early learning system. Attendees are encouraged to share their own ideas, experiences, and priorities for sustaining and growing Delaware’s early learning work.
Susan Perry-Manning, executive director of the Delaware Office of Early Learning, will provide an overview of accomplishments to date. Kathy Thornburg and Kim Means, the Early Learning Challenge federal technical assistants for Delaware, will moderate the focus group session.
Can’t make it to a focus group? Share your thoughts through an online survey at GreatStartsDelaware.com beginning on April 2.
Meetings will be held:
March 30, 2015
TIME: 9:00 am – 10:30 am – DOVER
FOCUS AUDIENCE: The Commission on Early Education and the Economy
LOCATION: Dover Public Library, Multi-Purpose Room A
35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover, DE 19901
TIME: 12:30 pm- 2:00 pm – MILFORD
FOCUS AUDIENCE: Kent and Sussex County Early Education Programs
LOCATION: The Learning Center
258 North Rehoboth Blvd., Milford, DE 19963
TIME: 4:30 pm- 6:00 pm – GEORGETOWN
LOCATION: Sussex Technical School District, Child Ed. Classroom #101
17099 County Seat Highway, Georgetown, DE 19947
Hosted by the southern Delaware Readiness Teams
March 31, 2015:
TIME: 9:00 am – 11:00 am – BEAR
LOCATION: Div. of Developmental Disabilities Conference Room
2540 Wrangle Hill Road, Suite 200, Bear, DE 19701
Hosted by Delaware Early Childhood Council
TIME: 5:00 – 6:30 pm – NORTH WILMINGTON
LOCATION: Brandywine Library, second floor
1300 Foulk Rd., Wilmington, DE 19803
Hosted by the northern Delaware Readiness Teams
April 1, 2015:
TIME: 9:00 am – 10:30 am – WILMINGTON
FOCUS AUDIENCE: New Castle County Early Care and Education ProgramsLOCATION: Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families, Conf. Rm 199 1825 Faulkland Road, Wilmington, DE 19805
Hosted by the Delaware Association for the Education of Young Children
TIME: 12:15 – 1:30 pm – DOVER
LOCATION: Duncan Center, Bradley Room
500 Loockerman Street, Dover, DE 19904
(Immediately following the Delaware Kids Count Book Release Event and for those attending the Kids Count Event, lunch will be provided that can be taken to the Bradley Room for this meeting.)
Click here to register for a focus group near you.