The events of the past 18 months have given rise to a massive global civil rights movement that has invited deep reflection and calls to action for all of us. As part of this movement, the field of Early Care and Education has begun to question its foundational structures, and there are a range of…
Research to Practice Reflections
“It is research that will spotlight the importance for supporting the early childhood field…”-Research-to-Practice session participant. This April, the Professional Development Institute’s New York City Early Childhood Research Network kicked off its series of Research-to-Practice sessions. These interactive sessions are an opportunity to engage early childhood workforce leaders in reflection on research supported by the…
Getting Ready for Back to School Transitions! Ideas for Teachers to Connect with Families
As families prepare to support their children as they enter school after an incredibly tumultuous year, it is important for educators to engage with families in new and innovative ways. In a typical year, educators know that the transition into school can be a stressful time and that supports are needed. This year calls for…
NY Child Care Stabilization Grants
Governor Andrew Cuomo recently announced that New York State will administer nearly $1.1 billion in stabilization grants to support child care providers and enable New York’s families to return to work. The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is now accepting applications for the Child Care Stabilization Grant. The Grant aims…
Simone Biles and the Importance of Teaching Children Consent
When I first started working with the Gender, Sexuality and the Family team at the Institute, I was troubled by the use of the word ‘consent’ in relation to interactions between children and their caregivers. For me, the word consent belonged within the field of law, in relation to sexual assault. In their patient and…
How the Credit-Bearing CDA Shapes Careers: Janell Barron’s Story
I spent an evening catching up with Janell Barron, a CUNY SPS CDA Alumni (‘2017). Janell started the program in the late summer of 2016. We wanted Janell to share how the credit bearing CDA has shaped her career in the last five years. I remember the first day of class and Janell was an…
CDA Graduation 2021
The CUNY School of Professional Studies held a virtual commencement celebration on May 26th, 2021, with its largest graduating class ever. The 56 students who graduated from the credit-bearing Child Development Associate (CDA) program did so under tremendous adversity. Many started the program before COVID began and completed the program while navigating the ever-changing landscape…
Reflections by Research Network Scholars: Mark Nagasawa
The New York City Early Childhood Research Network is a project of the New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute. The Network brings together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to collaborate, share knowledge, and generate actionable research. Researchers in the Network represent public and private universities in the metropolitan area as well as individuals from a…
Partner Spotlight: Reach Out and Read of Greater New York
Reach Out and Read of Greater New York (ROR GNY) reaches over 255,000 children ages birth to five every year since 1997 by providing early literacy training and resources to pediatricians, in NYC, Long Island, and the Greater Hudson Valley. “We serve disadvantaged children and their caregivers, providing them with access to early literacy that…
On Becoming a Teacher of Twos: Yslandy Taveras’ Story
I was impressed upon meeting Yslandy when she became my coachee at the Dominican Women’s Development Center/Mama Tingo Childcare & Learning Center, a Start with Stars program (soon to be QUALITYstarsNY!). The Dominican Women’s Development Center’s offers a year round dual-language (Spanish & English) full day program that focuses on healthy development and preparing children…