October News and Updates
- Early Childhood Teacher Preparation Council
- Oct 31
- 3 min read
As the leaves transform around us, we welcome the beauty of autumn—a perfect time to remind you about membership renewal with the Early Childhood Teacher Preparation Council (ECTPC). Your continued participation is essential to our mission and the collaborative efforts we share. If you haven’t renewed your membership yet, we encourage you to do so and remain a vital part of our community. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has already renewed—your commitment enhances early childhood education and creates substantial impacts across our field.
Memberships can be renewed online, with payments made via credit card. Please remember that there is a nominal 3% processing fee for credit card transactions. If you prefer to pay by check, reach out to us for an invoice. We aim to facilitate a smooth experience for everyone involved.
Monthly Membership Meetings
We are eager to share details about our upcoming ECTPC monthly membership meetings! These meetings are an excellent opportunity to connect, share ideas, and foster collaboration among members. Mark your calendars for these crucial dates:
November 19, 2025
December 17, 2025
January 21, 2026
February 18, 2026
March 18, 2026
April 23-24, 2026: Spring Conference!
May 20, 2026
June 17, 2026
All meetings will occur from 12-1 PM via Zoom. We look forward to building community and collaborating with you during these sessions.
Save the Date! 2026 Spring Conference
We are excited to announce that our 2026 Spring Conference will take place at Renton Technical College from April 22-24, 2026! This event will be enriching, featuring workshops, networking opportunities, and insightful discussions. We are currently coordinating with nearby hotels to secure accommodations and will provide more information and registration details soon. Be sure to save the date and join us for this exciting event!
Fall Meeting Recap
As we anticipate the upcoming meetings and the Spring Conference, we would like to take a moment to reflect on our recent fall meeting. This gathering provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with members, share insightful updates, and discuss the future of early childhood education in Washington State.
Organizational Updates
Treasurer Report: reviewed expenses and current income from membership renewals.
Board Openings: President-Elect, Treasurer, Secretary, Members-at-Large
WAOL/DCS MOU Discussion: Current Memorandum of Understanding is outdated. A vote is needed to approve payment and determine ongoing support for the WAOL/DCS coordinator. Questions remain about partnered work with SBCTC and WAOL/DCS coordination.
Communications & Conferences
Monthly Newsletter Launch: Begin a recurring newsletter to keep members informed and engaged.
Spring Conference at RTC: Mark your calendars! Renton Technical College will host our Spring Conference on April 22-24, 2026.
Continued Partnership with WAEYC: Agreed that partnership and participation at the WAEYC annual conference is valuable and necessary. Should ECTPC consider having the ECTPC Fall meeting separate from the WAEYC conference to make planning and attendance easier?
Committee Work & Strategic Planning
We’re refining our committee structure to better align with ECTPC and our shared goals. Current and proposed committees include:
Advocacy
AI & OER
ACCESS
BA Partnerships
Practicum
Parent Education (under consideration)
Shared PLA Content and Assessment (under consideration)
Legislative Advocacy
HB 1648 (Sam Dolan): Discussed the bill’s progress, funding implications, and PLA pathways.
Barriers & Solutions: Topics included PLA assessment: credit-bearing class distribution, portfolio assessments, and oral exams. We’re exploring ways to support mastery-based PLA pathways and increase visibility through tools like the DCYF newsletter.
Protecting CCA WA Funding: Advocacy efforts are needed to prevent cuts and support early childhood educators.
Membership Reminder
It’s time to renew! Visit our new website to complete your membership renewal. Note: there’s a 3% processing fee. If you prefer to pay by check, reach out to Erin Vasishtah for an invoice.
Board Position Nominations are Now Open
We are pleased to announce that nominations for board positions are now open. Current open board positions are President Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Member-at-Large. This is a fantastic chance for members to engage deeper and contribute to the ECTPC's leadership. If you have an interest in serving on the board or know someone who would excel in that role, please submit your nominations by December 15th. Your participation is vital in guiding our council and ensuring that we effectively advocate for early childhood education.
Final Thoughts
As we approach the end of the year, we encourage all members to renew their memberships and stay engaged with the ECTPC community. Your involvement is crucial to our mission, and together, we can continue to make a positive impact in early childhood education. Thank you for your commitment, and we can’t wait to see you at our upcoming meetings and the Spring Conference!
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