New Law Requires National Fingerprint-Based Background Checks for All Employees of Georgia’s approximately 6,000 child care facilities View More

Bright from the Start announced the availability of the RFA Sub-Grant for Caregivers Promoting Healthy Habits. View More

Bright from the Start announced the availability of the RFA Sub-Grant for Caregivers Promoting Healthy Habits. View More

Program Promotes Healthy Eating and Exercise for Children Birth to Five View More

Quality Rated Helps Parents in Selecting Quality Early Education Programs View More

DECAL is holding a public hearing on proposed changes to rules governing child care programs to reflect recent changes in Georgia law. View More

Pre-K Week, October 21-25, 2013, includes discount admission for Pre-K classes, special shows and activities View More

Program Promotes Fresh, Local Fruits and Vegetables for Children During their Most Formative Years View More

Bright from the Start is accepting submissions for the FY14 GA Curriculum Review and Approval Process. The review will result in an approved curriculum list for Georgia’s Pre-K Programs and a recommended curriculum list for Georgia’s birth to five early learning programs. For more information, click title above. View More

Revisions in criminal records checks will align the rules and regulations for child care programs with current Georgia law. View More

First of its kind Program in the Nation Promoted Fresh, Local Fruits and Vegetables for Children During their Most Formative Years View More

Funding will help DECAL promote better nutrition, exercise and locally grown fruits and vegetables for children during their most formative years View More

Commissioner Cagle talks Pre-K on Top Atlanta Radio Station View More

Effort Aimed at Early Detection, Assessment and Intervention of Children with Autism and Other Learning Disorders View More

State Budget Restores 180 Day Pre-K Calendar in 2013-2014 View More

HHS announces actions to improve safety and quality of child care View More

Officials will recognize the first 230+ rated child care programs in Georgia and encourage others to participate in this voluntary program. View More

Higher-quality Standards for Birth to Age 5 Will Be Implemented This Fall View More

Program Designed to Help Parents in Selecting Quality Early Education Programs View More

Workshops Will Be Held in Marietta, Macon, Tifton and Savannah View More

Group will share insight and experience with Scholarships, Incentives and Professional Development Registry View More

Deadline Approaching for Serving Meals to Children Who Normally Receive Free Breakfast and Lunch during School Year View More

From Kidnappings to Heatstroke, Officials Urge Greater Awareness For Georgia’s Youngest Citizens View More

Program Targets Rising Kindergarten Students Who Did Not Attend Pre-K or Need Additional Support View More

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. View More

Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning taking aggressive action to prosecute those who would commit fraud View More

More information for child care programs about using Multi-Function School Activity Buses and about child safety restraint systems. View More

Plan will describe how Georgia will administer federal CCDF funds from 10/1/2013 through 9/30/2015 View More

University of Washington College of Education Research Scientist Dr. Kristie Kauerz is guest speaker View More

The application to become a Georgia's Pre-K Program provider is now available for download. Continuation providers should apply online in PANDA. View More

Lafayette Kids World in Fayette County wins contest for Most Books Read View More

New Law would require National Fingerprint-Based Background Checks for All Employees of Georgia’s 6,000 child care facilities View More

Agency taking aggressive action to improve child care subsidy program and prosecute those who would commit fraud View More

“Red Fez Reading Club” offers Free Circus Tickets to Young Readers View More

Program targets rising Kindergarten students who did not attend Pre-K or need additional support View More

DECAL holding contest for Most Books Read on “Georgia Reads Aloud Day,” Tuesday, March 19, 2013, from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM View More

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 View More

American Academy of Pediatrics has expanded recommendations to reduce risk of SIDS and SUIDS View More

Child Care in Georgia getting boost from new program to spread expertise through network of well-seasoned caregivers View More

Recent report supports effectiveness of Georgia’s lottery funded Pre-K program. View More

DECAL asking for public comment and feedback before GELDS are used in 2013-2014 school year View More

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. View More

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. View More

Over 1,100 early learning programs have voluntarily enrolled in new rating program View More

Officials say new information is part of its overall commitment to transparency View More

Budgets include Governor’s Proposal to add additional 10 days of instruction to Georgia’s Pre-K Program View More

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. View More

Commissioner Bobby Cagle reminds child care programs and Georgia’s Pre-K classes of DECAL’s required policies for handling emergencies. View More

New partnership will promote good nutrition and increased physical activity in early childcare and education programs. View More

New Resource Offers Free Professional Development and Information For Early Learning Community View More

New State Law Requires Verification of Lawful Presence in the United States View More

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) served 3.5 million meals during summer, 2012 View More

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. View More

Cagle recognized for efforts to protect the health and safety of children in Georgia View More

DECAL implements new requirement for license fees View More

Over 1,000 early learning programs have voluntarily enrolled in rating program View More

To view DECAL ACTs Recommendations and Findings of the Governor’s Executive Order, please click title. View More

Afterschool programs, Child Care Centers and Head Start Programs offering afterschool programs are eligible to participate View More

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. View More

“Read and Talk” Conferences will teach strategies to support language development in the infant and toddler classroom View More

AJC Education Reporter Nancy Badertscher covers Georgia’s Pre-K Week and the 20th anniversary of the Pre-K Program. View More

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. View More

Logo Designed to Communicate Pre-K’s Role in Preparing Young Learners View More

Nearly 150 State Leaders to Visit Pre-K Classrooms Across Georgia View More

Justus Kidz Family Day Care in Buford, Georgia, receives Quality Rated Seal of Approval and Two-Star Rating View More

Pre-K Week presented by PNC Bank, October 8-12, 2012, includes discount admission for Pre-K classes, special shows and activities View More

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 View More

New licensing rules requiring higher credentials for lead teachers and directors take effect December 1, 2012. View More

DECAL Community Meetings Schedule for New Lead Teacher/Director Credentials View More

Nearly 3,000 Early Care and Education Professionals will participate in over 150 State Approved Workshops View More

The Sunshine House in Douglasville is 700th program to voluntarily enlist in new rating program View More

National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) recognizes Melissa Davis during conference in Atlanta View More

County Health Department partners with DECAL and Georgia Head Start Association to raise awareness of daily air quality conditions View More

A recent report compiled by Georgia State University reveals customers’ perceptions of DECAL. View More

Atlanta’s WSB-TV covers DECAL’s June 27, 2012, news conference on new and increased penalties for improperly transporting children. View More

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. View More

Pre-K Operating Guidelines for 2012-2013 have been posted. View More

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. View More

Officials say transition brings early childhood education services under one agency View More

Augusta’s WRDW-TV 12 On Your Side covers DECAL’s new Quality Rated Program. View More

DECAL Commissioner Bobby Cagle is profiled in this report from the Sunday, June 3, 2012, edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. View More

Program provides free meals to eligible children in low-income areas View More

Teachers inspired by DECAL’s Best Practices Training on taking the classroom outside View More

Watch for Susan Adams, our assistant commissioner for Georgia Pre-K, in this video about the importance of early education. View More

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. View More

Child Care Providers reminded to pay close attention to weather conditions and air quality in planning outside play and field trips. View More

Harris County School won contest for Most Books Read during “Georgia Reads Aloud Day” View More

Henry County Herald: Schools start kindergarten round-up, early registrations View More

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. View More

Officials will study child care centers and discuss enhancements to Chinese language program for Georgia’s Pre-K students View More

DECAL holds its second of five Infant Toddler Language and Literacy Conferences in Macon. View More

The Daily Citizen covers recent remarks by DECAL Commissioner Bobby Cagle to the Dalton Kiwanis Club. View More

Program targets rising Kindergarten students who did not attend Pre-K or need additional support. View More

Albany’s WALB-TV (NBC) 10 covers Georgia Reads Aloud Day. View More

11 Alive News in Atlanta covers “Georgia Reads Aloud” Day, and a contest for a special visit from Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal. View More

The Associated Press (AP) recently covered Georgia’s new Quality Rated program. View More

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. View More

Atlanta's 11 Alive News covers DECAL's new Quality Rated Program. To view the video click the title. View More

Marietta Program among First in the State to enroll in Quality Rated View More

Georgia joins only four other states in attaining 10 quality benchmarks; Ranks fourth in the nation for enrollment View More

Rules Review Process Webinar, April 5, 2012 View More

The AJC covers Georgia’s performance in a new national report on the state of pre-school. View More

The Daily Citizen in Dalton, Georgia, reports on a local day care center found in non-compliance for FY 2010 and 2011. View More

The Macon Telegraph looks at the impact of recent changes to the Pre-K budget and calendar on Middle Georgia teachers and students. View More

The Daily Citizen in Dalton, Georgia, reports on the status of compliant child care providers in their area. View More

Quality Rated program and progress reported by Savannah Business Journal View More

Macon’s News Central Georgia covers DECAL’s new Quality Rated program in this special report. View More

12 Groups will help influence future policies for Georgia’s earliest learners, birth to five years old. View More

Conferences will teach strategies to support language development in the infant and toddler classroom. View More

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.” View More

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. View More

A Gwinnett County Pre-School teacher is making news by winning a national award. View More

Middle Georgia Head Start agencies in 13 counties are providing free testing for lead poisoning. View More

The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer notes the recent improvements in Georgia’s child care centers. View More

Georgia’s improved score in the recent National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) report makes news in Middle Georgia. View More

Seven Head Start Agencies in Middle Georgia are testing children there for lead poisoning after higher than average readings raised concerns. View More

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. View More

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. View More

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. View More

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. View More

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. View More

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. View More

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. View More

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. View More

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. View More

Key discussion points concerning one proposed rule revision regarding an exemption for school age programs. View More

Bright from the Start's Child Care Services Division will host three open community meetings to discuss one proposed rule revision regarding an exemption for school age programs. View More

Bright from the Start has announced a new program to support wellness policies in child care centers in southwest Georgia. View More

The Office of Head Start will be holding a Facility Tour for Fulton County, Georgia. Click above link for further information. View More

Click link above to read about the uptick in H1N1 cases in a story posted on the Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy (CIDRAP) website. View More

An Early Head Start program in Fulton County, Georgia needs a new sponsor. Click the link above for details. View More

A draft of Georgia’s application for federal funds for the Georgia State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care is available for download and review. E-mail written comments about the application to Mark.Waits@decal.ga.gov before March 30, 2010. View More

Bright from the Start is seeking applications from organizations that have the experience and the capability to provide services to assist child care programs in achieving or renewing national accreditation. To be considered, completed grant proposals must be received by Bright from the Start before 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 8, 2010. View More

The Georgia State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care will hold a public meeting to discuss its application for the federal state advisory council grant fund. View More

The location of the Millionth Child currently being served by Georgia’s Pre-K Program has been revealed. The millionth child walked through the doors of Sumter County Primary School in Americus, Georgia! Governor Sonny and Mrs. Mary Perdue will kick off a special celebration at the school on Thursday, February 18. View More

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is looking for eligible sponsors to serve nutritious meals to children throughout Georgia this summer. View More

Commissioner's Order as of 12/02/09 and Hearing Officer's Report View More

Document detailing the proposed rule revisions for Child Care Learning Centers View More

Document detailing the proposed rule revisions for Group Day Care Homes View More

Document detailing the proposed rule revisions for Family Day Care Homes View More

Email sent to Child Care Providers regarding the proposed rule revisions in Child Care Services View More

Notice of Public Hearing and Proposed Rulemaking for Child Care Services View More

The state of Georgia has funding available to help parents with the cost of child care services. View More

Bright from the Start received a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to launch a pilot nutrition project targeted in southwest Georgia. View More

It is critical that children have the literacy skills to be successful in school and throughout life. Click the link above to download the guide. View More

Bright from the Start has released approximately $1.7 million in funds to upgrade and improve more than 3,800 classrooms that are part of Georgia's Pre-K Program. View More

For the Millionth Child Campaign View More

For Millionth Child Campaign View More

Bright from the Start will have a called telephone board meeting September 28, 2009, 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. The board will review and vote on the proposed rule amendments. The meeting will be held in Room 601 at 10 Park Place South, SE, Atlanta, GA 30303. Click on the eBOARD link to see the agenda. For more information on the proposed amendments, click on "Rule Update" and "Voting on Rules" agenda items. View More

First Lady Mary Perdue will host Georgia's Pre-K students for a live reading at the Governor's Mansion. View More

These state agencies have issued up-to-date information on the H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) especially concerning school districts and the child care industry. View More

Even Start Family Literacy Program request for application has been posted. View More

Celebrating Georgia's Pre-K Program: A Million Dreams...and Counting View More

Christina Satkowski wrote the blog titled "A Second Look at the Georgia Pre-K Audit" on June 26, 2009. View More

Bright from the Start Training Registration for Georgia's Pre-K Program for the 2009-10 school year is now open for registration. View More

As a result of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009, there is new money available for Head Start Expansion, Early Head Start, Seasonal/Migrant Head Start, and Alaskan/Native American Head Start. Grant information is now available. View More

I-Scream, You-Scream, We All Scream For College Savings! View More

In a state that is accustomed to ranking near the bottom on several education measures, here’s some good news about Georgia schools. View More

Governor Sonny Perdue and his wife First Lady Mary Perdue are excited to announce the Governor’s Pre-K book for 2009-2010, How Much is a Million? by David M. Schwartz. View More

Order Adopting Amendments to Rule Chapter 591-1-1, Rule Chapter 290-2-1 and Rule Chapter 290-2-3 View More

Bright from the Start announces funding opportunities on the web site and sends e-mails to interested agencies and individuals to notify them when a new Request for Application or Request for Proposal is released. View More

Georgia Reads Aloud Day is an annual event celebrating the impact of reading on children’s lives. Early care and learning providers, parents, and the community are encouraged to reinforce the importance of reading by making a special effort to read to children of all ages on this day. View More

Georgia Junior Leagues is participating in a new initiative called "The Million Minute Read" to promote literacy and school readiness in Georgia. View More

Notice of Public Hearing and Proposed Amendments to Rules for Child Care Learning Centers, Group Day Care Homes and Family Day Care Homes View More

Pre-K Application 2010 - 2011 will be available in February 2010 View More

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is soliciting proposals from agencies or organizations that have the capacity to provide community-based Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) services in one or more of the six regions for the period of July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. View More

Order Adopting Amendments to Rule Chapter 290-2-3, the Rules and Regulations for Family Day Care Homes and Hearing Office Report View More

First Lady, Mary Perdue reads "Courdoroy". (video) View More

ATLANTA, Ga., (July 29, 2008) – Dr. Holly A. Robinson, commissioner of Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, Susie Wilcher, president of the Georgia Head Start Association (GHSA), Bobby Griffin, Head Start branch manager, and Judith Deane, program specialist and Georgia State Liaison for the Region IV Office of Head Start, announced that Janice M. Haker has been named director of the Head Start State Collaboration Office. View More

The U.S. Department of Education today launched U.S.A. Learns, a free Web site to help immigrants learn English. The Web site, which is located at www.USALearns.org, provides approximately 11 million adults who have low levels of English proficiency with easily accessible and free English language training. View More