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 Early Childhood News & Resources OCTOBER 2026 • VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 |
Welcome to our first edition!I’m excited to introduce Growing Together, a new newsletter from the Mono County Child Care Council! Each issue will highlight Child Care Council activities, Workforce Pathways updates, and selected resources and opportunities for our local child care community. Know someone who might benefit from Growing Together? Feel free to forward this email to child care providers, educators, families, and community partners! |
COUNCIL CORNER Your voice matters — join the Council!The Mono County Child Care Council is seeking members to fill openings in two categories: community representative and child care provider. Members help identify local child care needs, review priorities, and strengthen collaboration across Mono County. Interested in participating or know someone who might be a good fit? Learn more & apply → |
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COUNCIL IN ACTION Marching for Child Care — July 2027!The Council has approved Marching for Child Care, an initiative to bring local child care providers together for the 2027 Fourth of July Parade in Mammoth Lakes. The goal is to celebrate the important work of child care centers, family child care homes, and family, friend, and neighbor caregivers. Planning is getting underway, and more information about participation will be shared in the months ahead. Stay tuned! Council supports school readiness backpacksAt its August meeting, the Council approved a request from First 5 Mono County to support school readiness backpacks. This is one example of the Council working with community partners to support young children and families. Looking ahead: 2027 child care needs assessmentThe Council is preparing for a child care needs assessment in 2027. Planning is underway to identify the most useful information to gather from local providers and families, including experiences with child care access, affordability, and workforce needs. More details will be shared as the work develops. |
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WORKFORCE PATHWAYS
Your Questions, Answered!
A regular Q&A for early childhood professionals in Mono and Alpine Counties exploring professional growth, coursework, and Child Development Permits.
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Q: My Child Development Permit expired, but I may qualify for a higher-level permit. Should I renew my old permit or apply for an upgrade?
A: If you've met the requirements for a higher-level permit, you may be able to apply directly for that permit rather than renewing your previous one. The appropriate process depends on your permit history and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing's requirements. Review the current requirements and gather your supporting documentation before applying.
Review Child Development Permit requirements →
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Q: I’m working toward my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and teach TK. Can my college coursework count toward Workforce Pathways stipends?
A: Possibly! If your credential program includes Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development (CD) courses, those specific courses may qualify under the Workforce Pathways Higher Education pathway. Eligible participants may receive $300 for every 3 semester units completed, up to $1,200 in the 2026–27 program year. Not all credential courses automatically qualify, so please check with me about your coursework before submitting documentation. Stipends depend on program eligibility, completion requirements, and available funding.
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Have a Workforce Pathways question? Email klian@monocoe.org. Questions may be featured anonymously in a future issue. Program stipend eligibility is determined separately from permit eligibility.
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For Child Care LeadersSelected reading and listening for child care directors, administrators, and anyone interested in how early childhood systems work. Licensing vs. Quality StandardsA BridgeCare article looks at the difference between basic licensing requirements and program quality standards, and the questions that arise when regulations change. Explore the articleCambridge Preschool Program: A Mixed-Delivery ExampleThis case study looks at how Cambridge, Massachusetts organized a coordinated preschool enrollment approach that emphasizes family choice and communication. It describes one community’s approach, not a model endorsed by the Council. Read the case studyPodcast Spotlight: Child Care Matters — Built to BreakProduced by BridgeCare and hosted by its CEO, Jamee Herbert, this podcast examines child care access and affordability, funding, staffing, regulation, and the challenges providers and families face. Listen to the podcastThese are outside resources shared for discussion and professional learning. Links do not imply endorsement of BridgeCare, its products, or the views expressed. |
| PROVIDER RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT Support for family, friend & neighbor caregiversCalifornia’s Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Network offers free virtual consultation to eligible family, friend, and neighbor caregivers. Caregivers can receive support with children’s behavior, development, relationships, and their own well-being. Contact the Network to ask about current opportunities and eligibility. View the caregiver information flyer → |
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Upcoming OpportunitiesTwo free virtual events worth sharing with child care providers, educators, and families this month. |
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OCTOBER 20 • FREE VIRTUAL FORUM
Early STEAM: Engineering & Making Through Play
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | 6:00–8:30 PM Pacific
Explore how young children learn science, technology, engineering, arts, and math through curiosity, play, and hands-on discovery. This free forum includes a keynote and breakout sessions for educators, librarians, families, and others supporting children from birth through third grade. Attendance certificates will be available.
View sessions and register →
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OCTOBER 26 • CDSS COMMUNITY CALL
Child Care & Development Community Call
Monday, October 26, 2026 | 10:30 AM Pacific | Virtual
Especially relevant for family child care providers: Nancy Thang, director of Little Foot Academy Daycare in San Jose, will showcase her family child care program.
Other topics include research on sleep in early childhood from UC Irvine's Katharine Simon; an overview of the new California Guidelines for Child Care in Home Settings from WestEd's Deborah Greenwald; safe sleep licensing regulations; and 2026–27 budget and legislative updates.
Spanish, Cantonese, and ASL interpretation, plus closed captioning, will be provided.
Register for the October 26 call →
Explore the home-based child care guidelines →
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Community Resources for Families |
Looking for child care? Interested in becoming a provider?MCOE's Community Connections for Children team provides local Child Care Resource & Referral (R&R) and Alternative Payment (AP) services. They help families explore child care options and potential financial assistance, and offer guidance to people interested in becoming licensed child care providers. Community Connections for Children
625 Old Mammoth Road, Suite 6, Mammoth Lakes
(760) 934-0031, ext. 1101 Explore child care & provider resources → |
Free Car Seat Checks & Children's Helmets
Car seat installation and inspections: MCOE offers free car seat safety services to Mono County residents, with certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians. Free car seat options may be available for families needing assistance. Appointments are required. Call Sofia Flores at (760) 934-0031 to schedule.
Free children’s helmets: Community Connections for Children offers free fitted helmets for children. Appointments are required for helmet fittings. Call (760) 934-0031 to schedule at 625 Old Mammoth Road, Suite 6, Mammoth Lakes.
Please share these resources with families. View and share the car seat and helmet flyers (English / Spanish where available) →
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🌱 Stay Connected & Spread the Word!
Know someone who might benefit from Growing Together? Feel free to forward this newsletter to child care providers, educators, families, and community partners!
Want to join or leave the mailing list? Just email me: Subscribe | Unsubscribe.
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Let's keep growing together.Have a local early childhood event, resource, or opportunity to share in a future issue? I'd love to hear about it. Kevin Lian
Mono County Child Care Council Coordinator
Mono County Office of Education
klian@monocoe.org Visit the Mono County Child Care Council →Growing Together is an informational publication of the Mono County Child Care Council, coordinated through the Mono County Office of Education. Featured opportunities and services may be provided by partner organizations; please check directly with those organizations for current details. |
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