To:      Delaware First Trainers
From:  Delaware First Early Childhood Professional Development System
Date:   February 2009
Re:      Changes in Training Approval

As of March 1, 2009, the Delaware First professional development system will no longer be accepting training approval requests.  Trainers who have previously approved trainings may submit entries one last time for advertising in the next issue of Provider Pursuits.  This last issue is scheduled to be mailed in March and will list training for the months of April, May and June.  Those wishing to have entries listed in Provider Pursuits may submit up to six training events and they will be included as space permits in the Spring issue.

 Trainers are prohibited from using the Delaware First master training certificate or the approval code number after March 31, 2009.

 The Delaware early childhood professional development system is undergoing some changes as we implement the new professional development framework (please see winter 2009 issue of Provider Pursuits).  The Department of Education, through the new Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood, will begin to develop a tiered system of state quality assured training that is aligned to Delaware standards for early childhood and supports state initiatives in developing quality early care and education programs. 

 Early care and education and after school program providers will continue to need and seek community based training opportunities that are of high quality and appropriate content to meet the requirements of licensing for annual hours.  Community based trainers who develop well researched early childhood training content, provide professional delivery of content, and offer a reliable business model in bringing training to participants will provide an important resource for the field.

 Trainers must contact the Office of Child Care Licensing to ensure that offerings meet the training policy for annual training requirements under Delacare.  Please contact Lynn Jezyk, Rule Development Manager at 302-892-4574 or by email at lynn.jezyk@state.de.us .