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Complimentary Image Wednesday, April 25, 2012, was "Georgia Reads Aloud Day" and child care centers and schools across the State participated in record numbers. With teachers, parents and special guests participating, classrooms reported reading 13,993 books. DECAL sponsored a contest for the most books read between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM Wednesday. The winner was Mulberry Creek Elementary School Pre-K in Harris County where students read 487 books. The school will receive a special visit from Georgia's First Lady Sandra Deal and DECAL Commissioner Bobby Cagle. More info...
Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) invites eligible child care programs to participate in Quality Rated, Georgia’s voluntary quality rating and improvement system. Quality Rated is an exciting, innovative effort to enhance the quality of services child care programs provide to children and families in their communities. Click here to learn more about Quality Rated OR click here to register for a Quality Rated orientation session sponsored by your local child care resource and referral agency.
Complimentary Image Bright from the Start administers the nationally recognized Georgia’s Pre-K Program, licenses child care centers and home-based child care, administers federal nutrition programs, and manages voluntary quality enhancement programs.
By December 28, 2012, all Child Care Learning Centers, Group Day Care Homes and Family Day Care Homes must use only compliant cribs that meet the new federal safety standards. If you have a newer crib and are not sure if it meets the new standards, you can contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission at (800) 638-2772.

For more information, please click here.


DECAL reminds you to Play it “SAFE” this summer

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

First Lady Sandra Deal and DECAL Commissioner Bobby Cagle to visit Mulberry Creek Elementary Pre-K

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

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

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

“Quality Rated” Program receives $2.4 Million Grant from Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation and United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta

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.

DECAL Commissioner Bobby Cagle and Assistant Commissioner for Pre-K Susan Adams to visit China

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

Macon Telegraph: Early childhood literacy conference to be held at Macon State

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

The Daily Citizen: Early learning official stresses reading

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

Child Care Programs selected for DECAL Summer Transition Program

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

WALB-TV Albany: Schools celebrate Georgia Reads Aloud Day

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

11 Alive: Georgia Reads Aloud Day includes a contest

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

AP: Hundreds of daycare centers, preschools swarm to sign up for new Georgia quality rating system

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

Commissioner Bobby Cagle joins First Lady Sandra Deal for “Read Across Georgia” Initiative

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.

11 Alive News: Child care providers sign up for new ratings system

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

The Sunshine School recognized by Governor Nathan Deal and DECAL Commissioner Bobby Cagle

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

NIEER: Georgia Pre-K Quality among Best in the Nation

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

Rules Review Process Webinar, April 5, 2012

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Georgia Pre-K gets top rating in national report

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

The Daily Citizen: Kiddie Land owner says compliance designation needs closer look

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

Macon Telegraph: Pre-K cuts have impact on teachers, students

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: Most local day cares compliant

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

Savannah Business Journal: Child Care Providers embracing Georgia’s New “Quality Rated” Program

Quality Rated program and progress reported by Savannah Business Journal

Inside the Law: Quality Rating System coming to Georgia Day Care Centers

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

DECAL Commissioner launches new Advisory Network

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

DECAL promoting Infant Toddler Language and Literacy

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

DECAL supports Let’s Move! Child Care State Challenge

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.”

Commissioner Bobby Cagle joins First Lady Sandra Deal for “Read Across Georgia” Initiative

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.

Gwinnett Pre-School Teacher wins National Award

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

Middle Georgia Head Start to test students for lead poisoning

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

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer: Response to child care deficiencies credit to Georgia

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

Macon Telegraph: Georgia’s home day cares improve, national group says

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

Agencies partner in Lead Testing for Middle Georgia Children

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

Moving on Up: Bright from the Start offering Pre-K Summer Transition Program

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.

Georgia improves score and ranking in Small Family Child Care Home Standards

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.

Teacher Credential Discussion Webinar

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 Cagle featured on GPB's Lawmakers Program

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 in the News

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.

Interagency Agreement Signed to Strengthen Services for Georgia's Children with Disabilities

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.

Sponsors needed to serve meals to children during the summer

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 releases Caregivers Promoting Healthy Habits’ Request for Applications (RFA) for Mini-grant Funding

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

Georgia’s At Risk Afterschool Meals Program is available

Bright from the Start announces the availability of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) At Risk Afterschool Meals Program at eligible afterschool programs throughout the state. Click the title to read the entire news release.

New Federal Requirements for Cribs

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.

Commissioner Cagle's Correspondence Regarding Adoption of Emergency Rules

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.

Georgia's Pre-K 2011-12 Operating Guidelines

Pre-K Operating Guidelines for 2011-2012 have been posted.

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