HPYC's Educator Newsletter

The Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards (CT ELDS) include what young children ages 0 to 5 should know and be able to do. The CT ELDS were recently updated! Mary Stone will be presenting information about the CT ELDS via Zoom on January 27th @ 6 PM.

The OEC, in partnership with the RESC Alliance, is happy to announce more opportunities for free training related to standards, curriculum, and assessment available December 2025 through March of 2026.

Opportunities include:

• Training on the CT Early Learning and Development Standards (CT ELDS)
• CT Documentation and Observation for Teaching System (CT DOTS) training
• Trainings related to curriculum, data, family engagement, and supporting multilingual learners
• Live and virtual opportunities
• Spanish language trainings

The Growing Brain Birth to 5: this training series provides parents and early childhood caregivers with the knowledge, support and evidence-based strategies they can use in everyday moments to support healthy brain development and build the connections babes, toddlers, and preschoolers need for success now and later in life.

Looking for family resources and engagement strategies. There are some helpful links below:

Research shows that winter outdoor play offers significant developmental advantages for children. We've compiled helpful resources below:

Dress in Layers - Start with a moisture-wicking base layer, add an insulating middle layer (like fleece), and finish with a waterproof, windproof outer layer. This traps warm air and allows you to remove layers if children get too warm from active play.

Protect the Extremities - Mittens keep hands warmer than gloves since fingers generate heat together. Ensure hats cover ears, and use scarves or neck gaiters to protect faces in very cold or windy conditions. Wool or synthetic socks work better than cotton, which holds moisture.

Watch for Wet Clothing - Wet clothes lose their insulating properties quickly. If children get wet from snow or sweat, bring them inside to change. Having spare mittens is especially useful since these often get wet first.

Set Time Limits - Young children lose body heat faster than adults. In very cold weather (below 20°F/-7°C) or with wind chill, limit outdoor time to 20-30 minutes and take warm-up breaks indoors. Watch for shivering, which is an early sign they're getting too cold.

Teachers interested in obtaining support for behavior management in the classroom, improving the social and emotional tone of the classroom, enhancing partnerships between and among teachers, parents and administrators, and obtaining hands on practical strategies to support the social and emotional needs of the children in their care. There is no cost to you.

Free PD opportunities to learn more about the changes in the NAEYC accreditation.

The ERC hosts workshops on Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:30pm from September through June (approximately two workshops/month). All workshops are free and open to any early childhood educator from the Greater New Haven area. All workshops are bilingual (translated live into Spanish).

Some workshops will be held online on Zoom, and other workshops will be held in person at the Connecticut Children’s Museum at 22 Wall Street. A light dinner will be served at all in-person workshops.

All Our Kin (AOK) is a national nonprofit organization that trains, supports, and sustains family child care educators. Our mission to transform the nation’s child care system yields a triple win: child care providers succeed as business owners, working parents find stable, high-quality care for their children, and children gain an educational foundation that lays the groundwork for future achievement.

Through an agreement between the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) and the Connecticut State Community Colleges (CT State), CT State Community Colleges will be offering ongoing CDA Cohorts at a variety of campuses.

ACES is offering a CDA Portfolio Support Group.This 12-week support group is designed to support early childhood educators in creating their CDA portfolio and articulating how they meet the Competency Standards of the CDA process.

Looking for training on the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards at no cost?

Here are some resources you may be interested in:

ECE Pathway Exams Pathways Early Childhood Education Exams | Charter Oak State College

CT Community College CT State Expands Free College Tuition Program - CT State

CT Student Loan Reimbursement SLRPInformation2025.pdf