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…
QUALITYstarsNY Receives $40 Million Investment in NYS Budget
We have exciting news! The New York State budget made historic investments in New York’s early childhood system. QUALITYstarsNY will receive $40 million funding to sustain and expand their services across the state. This unprecedented funding for the work comes from a $5 million continued investment from the state and $35 million funding from the…
A Snowy Day! Toddlers Joyfully Investigating and Exploring in Playful Interactions
Institute Coaches provide strengths-based coaching to Head Start grantees in New York City. Our work is guided by the NYS Coaching Competencies. This post was written by Institute Coach Lorraine Falchi, about her work with Ms. Spencer and Ms. Kisha, two collaborative educators at University Settlement Early Head Start. If you would like to learn…
New Partner for the CDA Program – SUNY Schenectady County Community College
We are excited to share that our CDA Program is expanding! In collaboration with SUNY Schenectady County Community College, we are offering credit-bearing courses that lead to the Infant-Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. The program, funded through a federal grant known as the PDG Birth to 5 grant, started this spring semester and provides…
Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli Publish First Conversations
Megan Madison, an innovator at the intersection of social justice and early childhood as well as the leader of the Gender, Sexuality and the Family team at the Institute and Jessica Ralli, the Coordinator of Early Literacy Programs at Brooklyn Public Library, have recently published the Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race. This book…
The NYC Early Childhood Research Network Video Library
At the New York City Early Childhood Research Network, we bridge research, policy, and practice by providing actionable insights to improve early care and education quality. This type of collaboration facilitates research for impact and action; research to inform policy and practice (Penuel & Hill, 2019). We are pleased to announce the Research Network’s video catalog. These quick videos showcase key takeaways from the studies that…