Early Childhood Workforce Connector

🌍🎉 Happy International Day of Play! 🎉🌍

Today we celebrate the power of play, a vital part of every child’s growth, joy, and well-being. At ECWC, we know that play isn’t just fun; it’s foundational. Through play, children build creativity, strengthen relationships, and develop the skills they need to thrive in school and in life.

💡 From imaginative games to outdoor exploration, every moment of play nurtures curiosity and confidence.

Let’s commit to protecting and prioritizing play for all children because when children play, they learn, grow, and shine. 🌱✨

At ECWC, we believe that Registered Apprenticeships are an effective way to grow early childhood educators who know how to support children's play in theory and in practice.

To learn more about how we can help preserve play in ECE, contact us at [email protected].

🌸 Spring on the Road with ECWC

This spring, ECWC has been on the move to show up across our communities—connecting with early childhood educators, workforce partners, and leaders who are strengthening the ECE workforce every day.

Through convenings, conversations, and community engagement, we’ve shared our commitment to supporting the ECE workforce by connecting programs and partners to services and resources, including assistance with Registered Apprenticeship pathways that promote growth, learning, and long-term success for early childhood educators. Every stop along the way reinforced why this work matters—and why investing in relationships matters.

Thank you to everyone who welcomed ECWC this spring. We’re grateful for the journey and excited for what’s ahead. 💚

To learn more about our services and how we assist with ECE workforce and apprenticeship supports, visit ecwconnector.org

📢 CDA Myth Busters!

There are maybe a lot of misconceptions about the Child Development Associate (CDA®) credential and CDA Council for Professional Recognition is setting the record straight!

Whether you're an early childhood educator, administrator, or advocate, it’s important to separate fact from fiction when it comes to the CDA. This trusted credential continues to support quality, professionalism, and growth in our field.

✅ Learn the truth.
✅ Support your workforce.
✅ Invest in quality early care and education.

Take a look at this helpful infographic from the Council for Professional Recognition to bust common CDA myths 👇

https://www.cdacouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Infographic-Printable_Final-2.pdf?utm_source=landingpage&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign=trusted_standard&utm_content=infographic

💜 National Cancer Survivors Day | Sunday, June 7 💜

On National Cancer Survivors Day, we come together to celebrate strength, resilience, and hope honoring the journeys of cancer survivors and recognizing those who continue to face this challenge every day.

This day is also a reminder of the importance of community, support systems, and access to care, all of which play a vital role in helping individuals and families navigate survivorship and healing.

At ECWC, we recognize that strong systems and a supported early childhood workforce contribute to healthier, more resilient communities. We stand with survivors, families, caregivers, and professionals who provide care and support along the way.

💜 Join us in honoring survivors and raising awareness.

🔗 Learn more: https://ncsd.org/

Home For Immediate Release: National Cancer Survivors Day® 2026 Don’t Forget to Document Your NCSD Celebration Looking for Survivors Day Events in Your Area? Free Printables for Your Survivors Day Celebration Your free NCSD 2026 Publicity

Introducing a Powerful New Resource for ECE Registered Apprenticeship

Join us for an engaging webinar introducing the Guide to Early Childhood Education Registered Apprenticeship Program Development—a newly released resource from ECWC.

This session is designed for organizations, employers, and partners ready to explore or expand Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs in Early Childhood Education.

📅 August 11th, 2026
⏰ 1pm-2:15pm ET
💻 Virtual | Microsoft Teams
b3d65278-d07b-4df2-b3e3-1a5048675d16@b9c285d6-eaac-4257-a16d-f01a9e56b9b3" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/b3d65278-d07b-4df2-b3e3-1a5048675d16@b9c285d6-eaac-4257-a16d-f01a9e56b9b3

Learn how to:
✅ Assess readiness for apprenticeship development
✅ Build strong, sustainable programs
✅ Create meaningful career pathways in ECE

✨ Stay tuned for more details—you won’t want to miss this!

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

🎉 The wait is over! 🎉

If you followed us during National Apprenticeship Week 2026, you got a preview! Now, we are excited to officially release:

📘 Guide to Early Childhood Education Registered Apprenticeship Program Development 📘

Developing and sustaining Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs in Early Childhood Education (ECE) is both impactful and complex. Providers are navigating workforce shortages, educator well‑being, regulatory demands, funding pressures, and the realities of delivering high‑quality care. While RA is a proven workforce solution, getting started and sustaining programs requires thoughtful planning and strategic decision‑making.

ECWC is here to help!

This new guide supports organizations, employers, and partners through key considerations such as:
✅ Assessing organizational readiness
✅ Building strong partnerships
✅ Selecting program models and training approaches
✅ Designing programs aligned to mission, values, and workforce needs

Because ECE RA development is not one‑size‑fits‑all, this guide is designed to help programs build a customized, sustainable program that creates meaningful, accessible career pathways for early childhood educators.

👉 Ready to get started? Request the guide:

https://ecwconnector.org/guide-to-early-childhood-education/

📩 Have questions or want support?
Email us at [email protected] or visit our website at https://ecwconnector.org/ to connect.

You don’t have to do this alone! ECWC offers technical assistance to support you at every stage of the development process.

Together, we are building stronger systems and stronger pathways for early childhood educators.

Earlier this month, ECWC’s Reeva Murphy and Kimberly Farris attended the Early Care & Education Pathways to Success National Conference on Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship. It was an energizing time connecting with apprenticeship sponsors and supporters to share ideas, resources, and apprentice stories. Reeva and Kimberly presented with our partners, Jenna Sanders and Julie Smith from Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency to share how their Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) leveraged partnerships, confronted barriers, and bridged workforce and apprenticeship systems to support Oregon’s growing early learning workforce as a CCR&R Registered Apprenticeship Group Sponsor.

👁️💚 May is Healthy Vision Month

Healthy vision plays an important role in learning, working, and overall well-being—for children and adults alike. From eye strain and screen fatigue to access to regular eye care, vision health is an essential part of whole-person wellness.

At ECWC, we encourage our workforce and community to prioritize eye health by scheduling regular eye exams, taking screen breaks, and paying attention to changes in vision. Small steps can make a big difference.

Clear vision supports strong outcomes—at work, at school, and in everyday life. Let’s protect it together. 💚

https://www.nei.nih.gov/about/education-and-outreach/healthy-vision-resources/healthy-vision-month

Healthy Vision Month | National Eye Institute Healthy Vision Month is the perfect time to learn how to protect your eyes — and help prevent vision loss in the future. Explore NEI's tips and tools to help you take control of your eye health so you can see well for a lifetime.

💙🌿 May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

May is a time to raise awareness about asthma and allergies—two common chronic conditions that affect young children, families, and the early childhood workforce.

 In early childhood learning settings, asthma and allergies can impact breathing, physical activity, attendance, and overall well‑being. Supporting children’s health requires informed caregivers, responsive environments, and strong systems of care.

 At the Early Childhood Workforce Connector (ECWC), we honor the children, families, early childhood educators, and caregivers living with asthma and allergies and join national efforts to promote awareness, prevention, and access to care—especially in early care and learning environments.

👉 Comment a 💙 to show your support

https://aafa.org/get-involved/asthma-and-allergy-awareness-month/




Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month Each year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) declares May to be "National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month." Share facts, your personal story, become an advocate, or join an event hosted by AAFA.

Today, ECWC honors and remembers the men and women who lost their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces. We hold their families and loved ones in our hearts and express our deepest gratitude for their sacrifice.

As we pause to reflect, we are reminded that supporting strong communities includes honoring those who have given so much—and ensuring that families, including military‑connected families, have access to the stable systems and supports they need to thrive.

May this day be one of remembrance, reflection, and respect.