Bartholomew County Early Learning Coalition

10/08/2026

You don’t have to pack a school lunch tomorrow morning to feel the impact of local childcare. Think about it: when parents can’t find reliable care, businesses lose great workers, retail lines get longer, and local healthcare shifts go unfilled. Early learning isn't just a personal family expense. It’s the invisible infrastructure that allows Bartholomew County to go to work today.

The Bartholomew County Early Learning Coalition works every day to advocate for our local providers, families, and resources. But we can't do it alone. Help us keep our community strong, safe, and thriving for everyone. www.earlylearningBC.org

10/01/2026

Best Place for Working Parents® businesses are powering up to attract and retain top talent. Parents make up the majority of today’s workforce, and companies that empower caregivers through flexible work options, child care benefits, and family policies see stronger retention and performance.

How can your business power up and empower your caregiving workforce?
Find out through our free, 3-minute self-assessment today.

Earn Your Free Designation Today
business.bestplace4workingparents.com

09/30/2026

You don't have to pack a lunchbox tomorrow morning to care about early childhood education. Early learning is the foundation of our entire community. It keeps our workforce on the job today, protects our public school classrooms tomorrow, and keeps our neighborhoods safe for years to come. Bartholomew County runs on early learning. Join the movement to protect our community. www.earlylearningBC.org.

09/27/2026

Federal guidelines recommend that families spend no more than 7% of their income on childcare. The reality in Bartholomew County? Local families are spending an average of 26% of their household income just to secure care for their kids.

When over a quarter of a family’s paycheck goes straight to childcare, there’s little left for local spending, savings, or basic necessities. Middle and working-class families get squeezed out, and parents are forced to cut work hours or leave the labor force entirely.

High childcare costs don't just strain family budgets. They drain money out of our local economy and leave local businesses short-staffed. See how supporting local early learning keeps our whole community stable: www.earlylearningBC.org

09/23/2026

School doesn't start at age five. Early learning programs teach critical social-emotional skills long before kids pick up a pencil. When kids arrive ready to learn, our public school teachers can spend less time on basic behavior management and more time teaching. Learn how early education protects our local classrooms: www.earlylearningbc.org.

09/21/2026

You might not have kids in childcare, but the person operating your medical scan, brewing your morning coffee, or checking your groceries does.

When local early learning spots disappear, parents are forced to cut hours or leave their jobs. That means longer lines, closed registers, and understaffed local businesses.

Childcare isn't just a private family expense. It's the invisible engine that lets Bartholomew County go to work every day. See how early childhood infrastructure keeps our community running: www.earlylearningbc.org.

09/11/2026

As a coalition of Hoosier Milestones, we are thrilled to announce our first year as part of the national Best Place for Working Parents® network. We would like to encourage all businesses in Indiana to kick off 2026 by earning your FREE Best Place for Working Parents® designation!

Take the free, 3-minute self-assessment to see how your company’s family-friendly policies stack up and get recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents organization.

Supporting today’s working parents.

Free 3-Minute Assessment
Confidential Results
Instant Designation

Earn Your Free Designation Today business.bestplace4workingparents.com

09/11/2026

The state has posted a Notice for a Second Public Comment and a Notice for Public Hearing for the Indiana Proposed Child Care Rules Changes affecting Child Care Centers, Licensed Child Care Homes, and Registered Ministries.

The public hearings have been scheduled for October 2, 2026. The public Hearings are as follows:

Child Care Centers; Emergency or Temporary Closures: 9 am on 10/2.

Licensed Child Care Homes: 10 am on 10/2

Registered Child Care Ministries - School Age - CCDF Rule: 11 am on 10/2.

Find out more:
https://inaeyc.org/indiana-proposed-child-care-rules-revisions/

07/09/2026

CDA Amnesty is back! Forgot to renew your CDA before it expired? CDA council is now accepting renewals as far back as 2016!

CDA® Renewal Amnesty allows anyone with a CDA credential expiration date as far back as January 1, 2016, an opportunity to complete the renewal process and make their credential active again. CDA Renewal Amnesty reflects the Council’s commitment to keeping the CDA credential strong, relevant, and...

07/09/2026

Do you work in a child care ministry in Indiana? New rules have been proposed and here is a chance to learn more and share your thoughts!

Attn Registered Ministries - Save the Date for a webinar regarding the Indiana Proposed Rules Changes - LSA Document #26-203 Child Care Ministries-School Age-CCDF Rule

July 20th at 7-8 pm ET - More information to come!