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Showing posts with label early childhood education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label early childhood education. Show all posts

Honoring Our Heroes in Early Learning: Search for Model Child Development Teacher 2025

When you think back to your very first teacher, who comes to mind? Maybe it was the kind “Titser” who taught you to write your name, sing your ABCs, or share your toys with classmates. For thousands of Filipino children, that guiding hand belongs to a Child Development Teacher or Worker (CDT/W)—unsung heroes who shape lives long before children enter formal schooling.

This 2025, in celebration of National Teachers’ Month, the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council, together with Metrobank Foundation, RMN, Knowledge Channel, and GMA Network, is shining the spotlight on these everyday heroes through the Search for the Model Child Development Teacher/Worker 2025.

Honoring Our Heroes in Early Learning: Search for Model Child Development Teacher 2025

If you’re a parent, barangay leader, or simply someone whose life was touched by a dedicated CDT/W, this is your chance to say thank you in a big way.


Why Child Development Teachers Matter So Much

From ages 0 to 5, children experience their most rapid growth—physically, mentally, and emotionally. This is when:

  • Brains build connections at lightning speed. Teachers guide children through play, songs, and early lessons that form the foundation for lifelong learning.

  • Values and habits take root. Sharing, patience, kindness, and discipline often start in the child development center.

  • Communities grow stronger. A passionate teacher doesn’t just impact kids—they empower parents and uplift neighborhoods.

Child Development Teachers and Workers are the bridge between families and education, ensuring that every child—no matter their background—gets a fair start.


What Makes a Model Child Development Teacher?

This nationwide search isn’t just about honoring individual teachers. It’s about celebrating community impact.

Nominees will be recognized primarily for:

  • Active involvement in their community – Are they engaging parents, LGUs, and local groups to support early learning?

  • Sharing best practices – Do their teaching methods inspire and influence other CDTs/Ws?

  • Dedication and compassion – Do they go beyond the classroom, showing genuine care for children’s well-being?

Think about the teacher who stayed late to guide struggling learners, who comforted parents with advice, or who organized community activities to keep kids learning. That’s the kind of hero this award seeks to honor.


How to Nominate a Child Development Teacher or Worker

If someone in your community embodies these values, here’s how you can nominate them:

  1. Community-based nomination only – Parents, guardians, barangay officials, or partner organizations can submit. Self-nominations are not allowed.

  2. Tell their story – Answer the heartfelt question:

    “Anong Kwentong IDOL mo kay Titser noong nagsisimula ka pa lang matuto?”
    Share this story through the RMN Foundation Facebook Page: facebook.com/RMNFoundationPH.

  3. Submit by September 12, 2025 – Don’t miss the deadline!

  4. LGU role – Local government units will lead the process, so connect with your municipal or barangay office for support.


Why Your Nomination Matters

Imagine the pride on a teacher’s face when they hear their community stood up to say, “You made a difference in our lives.” Beyond the recognition, this initiative:

  • Inspires other teachers to go the extra mile.

  • Strengthens parent-teacher partnerships.

  • Puts early childhood care at the center of local development.

By nominating, you’re not just honoring one person—you’re fueling a culture that values education as nation-building.


Conclusion & Call-to-Action

Our children’s first teachers shape the leaders, innovators, and citizens of tomorrow. As National Teachers’ Month reminds us, their role is priceless.

👉 If you know a Child Development Teacher or Worker who deserves to be celebrated, share their story today. Let’s give back to those who gave us our very first lessons in life.

Together, we can uplift the champions of early learning and strengthen every community across the Philippines.

📘 New DepEd Order Updates Kindergarten Enrollment Policy: What Every Parent Needs to Know in 2025

The Department of Education (DepEd) has once again reinforced its commitment to making early childhood education more accessible by amending the existing policies on Kindergarten enrollment. With the recent issuance of DepEd Order No. 015, s. 2025, families across the Philippines can now look forward to improved access to Kindergarten programs—especially for children who turn five years old later in the year.

🧒 Equal Access for All Filipino Children

In accordance with Republic Act 10157 (Kindergarten Education Act of 2012) and RA 10533 (Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013), the new directive underscores that Kindergarten is compulsory and non-negotiable. All children must complete at least one year of Kindergarten before entering Grade 1, making it a foundational stage in every Filipino child’s basic education journey.

📅 New Age Cut-Off Rule for Kinder Enrollment

Starting School Year 2025–2026, a revised guideline takes effect. Under the new enrollment procedures, children must be five years old by October 31 to qualify for Kindergarten. However, the order introduces a vital exception for children who turn five between November 1 and December 31.

To accommodate these late-in-the-year birthdays, learners may still be enrolled if they have attended a recognized Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program for at least one school year. This includes attendance in Daycare Centers (CDCs) or Learning Centers (LCs), whether public or private, as long as these are officially recognized or permitted.

Parents or guardians must submit proof of ECCD completion, such as certificates of attendance or participation, to validate the child’s prior learning experience.

✅ ECD Checklist: A Gateway to Kinder Admission

📝 Another notable requirement introduced is the Philippine Early Childhood and Development (ECD) Checklist. This checklist is administered by the receiving Kindergarten teachers during the enrollment period until the first week of classes. It plays a crucial role in assessing whether the learner is ready for Kindergarten.

The results of the checklist will directly influence the child’s admission status and will become part of the official learner’s records. This ensures that all incoming Kindergarten students meet the necessary developmental milestones to thrive in a formal learning environment.

👩‍🏫 Support for Kinder Educators and Implementation Teams

To reinforce this policy, DepEd will collaborate with the National Educator’s Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) to provide ongoing teacher training. The goal is to equip Kindergarten teachers with strategies and skills to support learners through developmentally appropriate practices.

🔁 What Happens to Old Policies?

DepEd Order No. 020, s. 2018 is officially repealed with the issuance of this new order. However, any sections of previous orders not affected by this amendment remain in effect. This ensures policy continuity while still enabling adaptability for improved access to education.

🕐 Immediate Effectivity and Compliance

This policy takes effect immediately upon approval and publication. All concerned personnel—from regional directors down to school heads—are directed to comply strictly and facilitate seamless implementation. For questions or clarifications, stakeholders may reach out to the Bureau of Learning Delivery–Teaching and Learning Division via DepEd Central Office channels.

🧠✨ Early Learning at ED: Building a Brighter Future from Birth to 3rd Grade ✨🧠

🌟 Why Early Learning Matters
High-quality early learning lays the foundation for a child’s lifelong success. At the U.S. Department of Education (ED), strategic investments are made to improve educational and social-emotional outcomes for children from birth through 3rd grade. These efforts focus on expanding access to high-quality early education programs, enhancing the early learning workforce, and empowering states to build systems that ensure program effectiveness and equity.

🧠✨ Early Learning at ED

🏛️ The Powerhouses Behind ED's Early Learning Strategy
Two key offices spearhead ED’s early learning initiatives:

  • The Office of Innovation and Early Learning (IELP)

  • The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)

These offices lead the Department’s early learning investments, ensuring children — especially those in underserved communities — get a strong start.

🎓 Key ED-Funded Early Learning Programs
ED funds multiple programs that support young learners, and also integrates early childhood education into broader grants. Programs like Promise Neighborhoods and Full-Service Community Schools support cradle-to-career pipelines.

💡 Other essential programs include:

  • Education Innovation and Research (EIR) – Tackles persistent educational challenges including early learning.

  • Comprehensive Literacy State Development – Supports literacy from birth through grade 12.

  • Demonstration Grants for Indian Children, Native Hawaiian Education, and Alaska Native Education – With specific early learning components.

👶 Early Intervention for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities
Through IDEA Part C, formula grants are awarded to states and territories to establish coordinated, multidisciplinary programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities (ages birth–2) and their families. These early intervention services are vital to identifying and addressing developmental delays early on.

🎨 Preschool Grants for Children with Disabilities
Under IDEA Part B, Section 619, this program provides funding to make special education services accessible to children aged 3 to 5 with disabilities, ensuring school readiness and inclusive growth.

🧩 Preschool Development Grant – Birth through Five (PDG B-5)
PDG B-5, part of ESSA, helps states design and implement plans that unify childcare and early education systems. Administered by HHS and ED, this grant promotes collaboration across providers in a mixed delivery system.

📚 Title I and Early Learning: Non-Regulatory Guidance
This guidance clarifies how school districts can allocate Title I, Part A funds to establish high-quality preschool programs for eligible children — boosting educational equity right from the start.

📺 Ready to Learn Programming
Through educational TV and digital media, this program delivers interactive content to support school readiness, especially among low-income families.

👩‍👧 Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS)
This initiative enables low-income parents to continue their postsecondary education by providing campus-based child care, easing the dual pressure of parenting and studying.

📖 Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL)
The IAL program enhances literacy development from birth through 12th grade by funding evidence-based literacy initiatives in high-need LEAs and schools.

🎭 Arts in Education National Program
Promoting high-quality arts education, this program serves students — particularly those with disabilities and from low-income families — with rich, creative opportunities to learn and express themselves.

🔍 Screening & Assessment: Measuring What Matters
ED promotes the use of comprehensive early learning assessments that track children's development and guide instructional decisions.
Efforts include:

  • OSEP’s early childhood outcomes work, which supports states in measuring outcomes for young children receiving special education.

  • The IES guide, Using Student Achievement Data to Support Instructional Decision Making, helps educators make data-informed decisions, establish a schoolwide data culture, and empower students to monitor their own learning.

🎈 Celebrating National Kindergarten Day 🎉 | Honoring the Roots of Early Childhood Education

Every year on April 21st, we celebrate National Kindergarten Day, a special occasion to honor the beginning of formal early childhood education and the lifelong impact it has on young learners. This day commemorates the birth of Friedrich Froebel, the German educator who founded the first kindergarten in 1837.

🎈 Celebrating National Kindergarten Day

Let’s take a closer look at why this day matters, how you can celebrate it, and why kindergarten education remains one of the most vital stages in a child’s development.


🍎 What Is National Kindergarten Day?

National Kindergarten Day is more than just a date on the calendar—it's a time to reflect on the foundations of learning. The term “kindergarten,” which means “children’s garden” in German, was coined by Friedrich Froebel, who believed that young children learn best through play, creativity, and social interaction.

This day is an opportunity to acknowledge the teachers, schools, and parents who create safe, nurturing environments where little minds begin to flourish.


🧩 Why Kindergarten Education Matters

Kindergarten lays the groundwork for a child’s academic and social success. Key benefits include:

  • Developing early literacy and numeracy skills

  • Encouraging social development and emotional intelligence

  • Fostering curiosity, imagination, and critical thinking

  • Teaching important life skills like sharing, listening, and teamwork

Early education experts agree that a strong kindergarten experience sets the tone for a child’s entire educational journey.


📚 Ways to Celebrate National Kindergarten Day

Whether you're a teacher, parent, or simply a supporter of education, here are some fun and meaningful ways to mark the day:

  • 🖍️ Organize a kindergarten-themed activity like a classroom craft or sing-along

  • 📖 Read a children’s book about starting school, such as The Kissing Hand or Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten

  • 🧁 Host a small classroom celebration with healthy snacks and storytelling

  • 📝 Write thank-you notes to kindergarten teachers for their dedication

  • 💡 Share your child’s or your own kindergarten memories on social media using the hashtag #NationalKindergartenDay


🏫 Honoring Kindergarten Teachers 👩‍🏫👨‍🏫

No celebration of National Kindergarten Day would be complete without recognizing the heroes behind it all—our kindergarten teachers. These educators are not just instructors—they’re nurturers, mentors, and guides who shape the very first steps of lifelong learning.

Consider sending a small gift, a handwritten note, or even just a heartfelt thank-you to a kindergarten educator in your life.


🌱 Looking to the Future of Kindergarten Education

As the world evolves, so does early childhood education. From integrating technology in the classroom to emphasizing emotional wellness, today’s kindergartens are designed to meet the needs of a new generation. But no matter the tools, the heart of kindergarten remains the same: a place where children feel safe, loved, and excited to learn.

Get Ready for School Year 2024-2025: Important Reminders for Child Development Centers

The Early Childhood Care and Development Council (ECCD Council) released Advisory No. 7 Series of 2024 which outlines the guidelines for the opening of classes and calendar of activities for the upcoming School Year 2024-2025. Here's a quick rundown for Child Development Centers (CDCs):

School Year Dates:

  • Start of Classes: August 5, 2024
  • End of School Year: April 15, 2025

What Age Group Goes Where?

  • 0 to 2 years old: Enroll your child in the Infant-Toddler Early Development (ITED) Program.
  • 3-year-olds: Pre-Kindergarten 1 is the right program.
  • 4-year-olds: It's Pre-Kindergarten 2 for your little one.

Enrollment:

Unsure where to enroll your child? Visit the nearest CDC in your area or contact your Local Social Welfare and Development Office for guidance.

Parent Orientation:

To ensure a smooth transition, Child Development Centers will be conducting Parent Orientations. These sessions will cover important topics such as:

  • Program Goals and Objectives
  • Calendar of Activities
  • Class Schedules
  • Center Rules and Regulations
  • Alternative Modes of Implementation (if applicable)

Bayanihan Bulilit:

In preparation for the school year, the ECCD Council encourages all stakeholders to participate in the Bayanihan Bulilit initiative. This program involves community members coming together to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for children. Activities may include refurbishment of the CDC facilities.

Stay Connected:

For more information, you can visit the ECCD Council website at https://eccdcouncil.gov.ph/ or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ECCDCouncil/videos/4065790443449242/.

Remember: Early childhood education plays a crucial role in a child's development. By working together, we can create a nurturing and stimulating environment for all our young learners!