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Episode 36 - 2026 Legislative Review Jun 01, 2026

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On this week’s episode we are reviewing legislative developments from the 2026 Georgia General Assembly and their effects on DECAL and early childcare and education across the state. With new laws and policies shaping the future of Georgia's youngest learners, we'll unpack what these changes mean for families, providers, and the broader community.

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Episode 35 - Quality Rated Myth Busters May 26, 2026

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This week’s episode is all about “Quality Rated Myth Busters,” where we'll bust some common misconceptions and shine a light on how Georgia’s Quality Rated system really works. If you’ve ever wondered how early care and education programs are assessed, improved, and recognized for their efforts, you’re in the right place!

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Episode 34 - CCS Resource Suite May 15, 2026

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Today, we’re looking at Child Care Services and some new resources they’ve created to make compliance easier and more approachable for early childhood programs. Through a new Resource Suite, CCS has taken comprehensive guidance documents and broken them down into manageable, topic-focused resources that use everyday language and offer practical tips for success.

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Episode 33 - NIEER State of Preschool Yearbook May 11, 2026

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This week’s episode is dedicated to a truly historic moment: On April 22, Governor Brian Kemp announced that Georgia’s Pre-K Program has met all 10 of 10 quality benchmarks established by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER), positioning the state as a national leader in early childhood education. Georgia Pre-K is the largest program in the nation to meet all 10 benchmarks, and the first universal program to do so.

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Episode 32 - CCS Lunch & Learn May 04, 2026

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Our Child Care Services Division is inviting all providers to a special Lunch and Learn, happening on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at noon. They’re looking specifically at required reports…which can be confusing. Sometimes providers are submitting reports they don’t need to, or missing the ones that are essential. Joining us to talk about the CCS Lunch and Learn is the team working on the project: CCS Coordinators Kaycee Purvis and Rebecca Mullinax and Consultants Kajora McCoy and Christina Jennings.

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Episode 31 - Look Again May 01, 2026

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Each year, DECAL’s Look Again campaign serves as a crucial reminder for parents, caregivers, and educators about the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles. We're proud to highlight the collaborative efforts with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration, joining forces to raise awareness and prevent tragic incidents of pediatric vehicular heatstroke. Joining us to talk about the Look Again campaign are Kesha McNeal and Rukiya Thomas with Child Care Services; Allen Poole is Director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, Robert Hydrick, Communications Manager for the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety; and Angel Upshaw, Media Relations Specialist.

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Episode 30 - Children's Mental Health Week Apr 24, 2026

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DECAL celebrates Children’s Mental Health Week in Georgia May 4th – 8th, as we have done for the last six years in the first full week of May. Similar to Georgia’s Pre-K Week, and Inclusive Early Learning Week, this special week in May reminds us that the early years in a child’s life provide a key opportunity to establish safe and secure relationships and support healthy social and emotional development also known as mental health.

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Episode 29 - Summer Transition Program Apr 20, 2026

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On this week’s episode, we’re talking about the Georgia’s Pre-K Summer Transition Program, a dynamic initiative that is held during June and July, offering high-quality instruction with a focus on language, literacy, and math. The STP has proven to reduce the achievement gap among young learners and provide essential support for children as they prepare for Pre-K and Kindergarten. Joining us this week to talk about the Summer Transition Program is Meghan McNail, Director for Pre-K Instruction and Regional Operations, and Devon Porter, Summer Transition Program and Outreach Manager. Also joining us are Jeff Randa, Project Director for Easter Seals North Georgia, and Pam Weiser, Project Director for Fulton County School District.

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Episode 28 - Finding Summer Camps Apr 13, 2026

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It's never too early to start planning a summer your children will remember! In this episode, we dive into how the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is making it easier for families to find safe, affordable, and high-quality summer camps. Whether you're seeking guidance from knowledgeable call center specialists, using a handy checklist, or exploring online resources, DECAL equips parents with the tools and support needed to make confident choices for summer care.

Joining us are Sonja Steptoe, Assistant Director of Business Supports and Operations, and Katrina Bernard, Manager of the Quality Rated Family Support Call Center. Together, they share expert advice and helpful tips on how to navigate your search for the perfect summer camp in Georgia this year.

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Episode 27 - Mindy Binderman Apr 04, 2026

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For nearly two decades, Mindy Binderman has been a nonprofit leader and advocate for early childhood policy here in Georgia dedicating her career to advocacy, policy development, and driving systemic change. Recently the founding Executive Director of the Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students or GEEARS announced that she will soon take on the new role of Chief External Affairs Officer at the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), a national leader in community development financial services. Joining us to talk more about early childhood education in Georgia and her new role at LIIF is Mindy Binderman.

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