Deadline Approaching for Serving Meals to Children Who Normally Receive Free Breakfast and Lunch during School Year
From Kidnappings to Heatstroke, Officials Urge Greater Awareness For Georgia’s Youngest Citizens
Program Targets Rising Kindergarten Students Who Did Not Attend Pre-K or Need Additional Support
Click title to watch the WSB-TV special Early Learning: A Smart Investment. First aired in March, 2013, this special takes an in-depth look at the benefits and challenges of quality early education in Georgia. Special thanks to WSB-TV for allowing us to post this program on our web site.
Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning taking aggressive action to prosecute those who would commit fraud
More information for child care programs about using Multi-Function School Activity Buses and about child safety restraint systems.
Plan will describe how Georgia will administer federal CCDF funds from 10/1/2013 through 9/30/2015
University of Washington College of Education Research Scientist Dr. Kristie Kauerz is guest speaker
The application to become a Georgia's Pre-K Program provider is now available for download. Continuation providers should apply online in PANDA.
Lafayette Kids World in Fayette County wins contest for Most Books Read
New Law would require National Fingerprint-Based Background Checks for All Employees of Georgia’s 6,000 child care facilities
Agency taking aggressive action to improve child care subsidy program and prosecute those who would commit fraud
“Red Fez Reading Club” offers Free Circus Tickets to Young Readers
Program targets rising Kindergarten students who did not attend Pre-K or need additional support
DECAL holding contest for Most Books Read on “Georgia Reads Aloud Day,” Tuesday, March 19, 2013, from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
HB 350 would require national fingerprint-based background checks for all employees of Georgia’s 6,000 child care facilities protecting the health and safety of Georgia’s youngest learners
American Academy of Pediatrics has expanded recommendations to reduce risk of SIDS and SUIDS
Child Care in Georgia getting boost from new program to spread expertise through network of well-seasoned caregivers
Recent report supports effectiveness of Georgia’s lottery funded Pre-K program.
DECAL asking for public comment and feedback before GELDS are used in 2013-2014 school year
Each year GHSA engages in strategic planning based on the annual needs assessment completed by the Head Start State Collaboration Office. GHSA is in year 1 of the plan.
Commissioner Cagle discussed Georgia’s Pre-K Program, this year celebrating its 20th anniversary and serving some 84,000 four year olds statewide with a focus on language, literacy, math, general knowledge and social skills. Click title to watch the program, which originally aired live on Friday, February 8, 2013, on GPB.
Over 1,100 early learning programs have voluntarily enrolled in new rating program
Officials say new information is part of its overall commitment to transparency
Budgets include Governor’s Proposal to add additional 10 days of instruction to Georgia’s Pre-K Program
Upcoming Pre-K Curriculum Review. In summer 2013 Georgia’s Pre-K Program will review and approve curriculum models to be used in Georgia’s Pre-K Program.
Commissioner Bobby Cagle reminds child care programs and Georgia’s Pre-K classes of DECAL’s required policies for handling emergencies.
New partnership will promote good nutrition and increased physical activity in early childcare and education programs.
New Resource Offers Free Professional Development and Information For Early Learning Community
New State Law Requires Verification of Lawful Presence in the United States
Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) served 3.5 million meals during summer, 2012
On November 15, 2012, Bright from the Start adopted Rule 591-1-1-.46 of the Rules for Child Care Learning Centers, Chapter 591-1-1 and the repeal of Rules and Regulations for Day Care Centers, Chapter 290-2-2.
Cagle recognized for efforts to protect the health and safety of children in Georgia
DECAL implements new requirement for license fees
Over 1,000 early learning programs have voluntarily enrolled in rating program
To view DECAL ACTs Recommendations and Findings of the Governor’s Executive Order, please click title.
Afterschool programs, Child Care Centers and Head Start Programs offering afterschool programs are eligible to participate
DECAL proposes a consolidation of Child Care Learning Center rules in response to Governor Deal’s Executive Order to reduce inefficiencies, redundancies and consolidate all rules and regulations.
“Read and Talk” Conferences will teach strategies to support language development
in the infant and toddler classroom
AJC Education Reporter Nancy Badertscher covers Georgia’s Pre-K Week and the 20th anniversary of the Pre-K Program.
Atlanta Radio Station Star 94 FM recently interviewed Commissioner Bobby Cagle on Georgia’s Pre-K Program and its impact over the past 20 years.
Logo Designed to Communicate Pre-K’s Role in Preparing Young Learners
Nearly 150 State Leaders to Visit Pre-K Classrooms Across Georgia
Justus Kidz Family Day Care in Buford, Georgia, receives Quality Rated Seal of Approval and Two-Star Rating
Pre-K Week presented by PNC Bank, October 8-12, 2012, includes discount admission for Pre-K classes, special shows and activities
DECAL recently joined the Fulton County Department of Health Services and the Georgia Head Start Association to help raise public awareness of daily air quality conditions. Fulton County Government Television (FGTV) produced this segment on the EPA’s School Flag Program to help protect children’s health in Georgia’s Pre-K programs, Head Start and Early Head Start centers and child care centers
New licensing rules requiring higher credentials for lead teachers and directors take effect December 1, 2012.
DECAL Community Meetings Schedule for New Lead Teacher/Director Credentials
Nearly 3,000 Early Care and Education Professionals will participate in over 150 State Approved Workshops
The Sunshine House in Douglasville is 700th program to voluntarily enlist in new rating program
National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) recognizes Melissa Davis during conference in Atlanta
County Health Department partners with DECAL and Georgia Head Start Association to raise awareness of daily air quality conditions
A recent report compiled by Georgia State University reveals customers’ perceptions of DECAL.
Atlanta’s WSB-TV covers DECAL’s June 27, 2012, news conference on new and increased penalties for improperly transporting children.
Atlanta’s WAGA-TV (FOX) 5 covers DECAL’s June 29 news conference announcing new penalties and enforcement measures for child care programs that improperly transport children.
Pre-K Operating Guidelines for 2012-2013 have been posted.
The Macon Telegraph covers the move of Georgia’s Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) to DECAL and its effect on our new Quality Rated program.
Officials say transition brings early childhood education services under one agency
Augusta’s WRDW-TV 12 On Your Side covers DECAL’s new Quality Rated Program.
DECAL Commissioner Bobby Cagle is profiled in this report from the Sunday, June 3, 2012, edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Program provides free meals to eligible children in low-income areas
Teachers inspired by DECAL’s Best Practices Training on taking the classroom outside
Watch for Susan Adams, our assistant commissioner for Georgia Pre-K, in this video about the importance of early education.
Site is new resource of online learning, professional development and educational resources for parents and teachers of infants and toddlers from birth to age three.
Child Care Providers reminded to pay close attention to weather conditions and air quality in planning outside play and field trips.
Harris County School won contest for Most Books Read during “Georgia Reads Aloud Day”
Henry County Herald: Schools start kindergarten round-up, early registrations
Early education programs participating in Georgia’s new “Quality Rated” program will receive additional technical assistance, equipment and curriculum thanks to a $2.4 million grant from the Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation and the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta.
Officials will study child care centers and discuss enhancements to Chinese language program for Georgia’s Pre-K students
DECAL holds its second of five Infant Toddler Language and Literacy Conferences in Macon.
The Daily Citizen covers recent remarks by DECAL Commissioner Bobby Cagle to the Dalton Kiwanis Club.
Program targets rising Kindergarten students who did not attend Pre-K or need additional support.
Albany’s WALB-TV (NBC) 10 covers Georgia Reads Aloud Day.
11 Alive News in Atlanta covers “Georgia Reads Aloud” Day, and a contest for a special visit from Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal.
The Associated Press (AP) recently covered Georgia’s new Quality Rated program.
Bobby Cagle, commissioner of Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning will join Georgia’s First Lady Sandra Deal Friday for her “Read Across Georgia” campaign at public schools in Southwest Atlanta.
Atlanta's 11 Alive News covers DECAL's new Quality Rated Program. To view the video click the title.
Marietta Program among First in the State to enroll in Quality Rated
Georgia joins only four other states in attaining 10 quality benchmarks;
Ranks fourth in the nation for enrollment
Rules Review Process Webinar, April 5, 2012
The AJC covers Georgia’s performance in a new national report on the state of pre-school.
The Daily Citizen in Dalton, Georgia, reports on a local day care center found in non-compliance for FY 2010 and 2011.
The Macon Telegraph looks at the impact of recent changes to the Pre-K budget and calendar on Middle Georgia teachers and students.
The Daily Citizen in Dalton, Georgia, reports on the status of compliant child care providers in their area.
Quality Rated program and progress reported by Savannah Business Journal
Macon’s News Central Georgia covers DECAL’s new Quality Rated program in this special report.
12 Groups will help influence future policies for Georgia’s earliest learners, birth to five years old.
Conferences will teach strategies to support language development in the infant and toddler classroom.
DECAL joins with the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Child Care in supporting the Let’s Move! Child Care State Challenge and its effort to ensure that all child care settings are “safe, healthy and learning.”
Bobby Cagle, commissioner of Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, will join Georgia’s First Lady Sandra Deal on Friday, March 23, 2012, for her “Read Across Georgia” campaign.
A Gwinnett County Pre-School teacher is making news by winning a national award.
Middle Georgia Head Start agencies in 13 counties are providing free testing for lead poisoning.
The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer notes the recent improvements in Georgia’s child care centers.
Georgia’s improved score in the recent National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) report makes news in Middle Georgia.
Seven Head Start Agencies in Middle Georgia are testing children there for lead poisoning after higher than average readings raised concerns.
Bright from the Start has announced a six-week Summer Transition Program for rising kindergartners who either did not attend Georgia’s Pre-K or Head Start, or attended but need additional support to be ready for Kindergarten next Fall.
The National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) has released its latest report, ranking states on their current small family child care home standards and oversight policies.
DECAL conducted a webinar Feb. 23rd regarding the educational requirements for directors and lead teachers effective 12/1/2012. Discussion included financial and academic support available as well as credential equivalency opportunities in process and approved. Please click the title to view the webinar.
Commissioner Bobby Cagle was a guest on Georgia Public Broadcasting's Lawmakers program on Feb. 22nd. He was interviewed by host Scott Slade about Georgia's Pre-K Program, the new Quality Rated Program and other current early education topics. Please click the title to view the show.
DECAL was recently featured on WJBF-TV (Augusta) for a story about state regulations for child care learning centers and family day care homes, training for teachers and what parents can do to find quality care for their children. Click the title to view the entire video.
On January 10, 2012, several agencies signed an agreement designed to strengthen cooperative services to children with disabilities. Click the title to view the entire release and photo.
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is looking for eligible sponsors to serve nutritious meals to children throughout Georgia for the summer of 2012. The SFSP, administered by Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (Bright from the Start), is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Click the title to read the news release.
Bright from the Start announced the availability of the RFA Mini-Grant for Caregivers Promoting Healthy Habits.
Beginning December 28, 2012, all Child Care Learning Centers, Group Day Care Homes and Family Day Care Homes in Georgia must use only compliant cribs that meet the new federal safety standards. For more details, click the title.
On July 19, 2011, the Board of Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (Bright from the Start) adopted emergency rules for the Rules for Child Care Learning Centers (Chapter 591-1-1) and
the Rules for Group Day Care Homes (Chapter 290-2-1) regarding transportation requirements. Click the title to view the entire letter.