EECNY Track 6

Description: Family childcare providers play a critical role in shaping children’s earliest learning experiences, yet many have not had the opportunity to reflect on their identity as educators or define the purpose behind their work. This interactive workshop will guide participants through a reflective and collaborative process to uncover their “why” and develop personalized mission and vision statements for their programs. Participants will explore the importance of intentional practice in early childhood education, particularly within home-based settings, and examine how mission and vision statements can strengthen program quality, guide decision-making, and build stronger relationships with children and families. By the end of the session, participants will create meaningful, individualized mission and vision statements that can be displayed in their programs as a daily reminder of their purpose and commitment to children’s development. 

Description: This professional development session introduces concrete career pathway examples in early childhood education for Spanish-speaking educators who are interested in advancing toward certifications, higher education, and leadership roles in New York. 

Participants will explore real opportunities such as the evaluation of international credentials (high school diplomas and university degrees), Spanish-language educational programs, credentialing pathways, and professional growth opportunities within the field. The session recognizes cultural and linguistic identity as a professional asset and provides practical strategies to help each participant identify their next step in their professional journey. 

Description: This workshop provides practical strategies to strengthen attendance tracking, documentation practices, and family engagement across diverse childcare settings, including Family Child Care (FCC), Family Child Care Networks (FCCN), and center-based and private programs. Participants will explore common challenges such as incomplete attendance records, inconsistent documentation, and chronic absenteeism, and how these impact program quality, communication, and accountability. Through real-life scenarios and adaptable tools, participants will learn how to implement simple, effective systems that promote consistency, organization, and stronger partnerships with families, regardless of program type or funding source. 

Description: In today’s early childhood landscape, data is not just a reporting requirement — it is a leadership tool. This interactive session will explore how administrators and program leaders can use data to strengthen compliance, improve program management systems, and enhance overall quality in childcare programs. Participants will learn how to move from reactive compliance to proactive planning by using enrollment data, attendance tracking, developmental screening timelines, family engagement metrics, and service-day monitoring to drive decision-making. This workshop will provide practical strategies for organizing data dashboards, tracking federal and OCFS requirements, preventing monitoring findings, and using data to improve outcomes for children and families. Real-world examples from Early Head Start and childcare partnership models will demonstrate how data systems can elevate program performance while reducing compliance risk. Participants will leave with actionable tools they can immediately implement in their own programs.