In December the state selected the Education Development Center (EDC) to establish and lead its Professional Development and Technical Assistance (PD/TA) Center for early childhood educators across Rhode Island. Ready to Learn Providence is EDC's primary partner in the initiative.

We're currently seeking PD/TA Specialists for the center. The specialists will develop materials, facilitate trainings, and provide technical assistance to early-care educators.  Click here to see more a more detailed description of the position and the qualifications we're seeking in applicants. And please share it with anyone you know who might be interested.

L-r: Venita Parham, R2LP Director Leslie Gell, Susan Zoll, Katie Murray and Desiree Manley

Four former members of the R2LP staff returned earlier this month to support the work of the center. Susan Zoll returns as our director of professional development, Desiree Manley as a PD/TA specialist, Katie Murray as director of data and evaluation (and data manager of the PD/TA Center), and Venita Parham as data entry and administrative assistant. Also devoting much of her time to the center will be Christine Chiacu-Forsythe, our director of educational partnerships.  

EDC will receive $14 million from the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge grant to operate the center. Training will be offered at locations throughout the state, at times that accommodate a provider's schedule. Classes, expected to get under way in the early spring, will be offered in Spanish as well as English.

R2LP AmeriCorps member Bienvenida Hiraldo (left) talks with a member of next year's kindergarten class and her mother.

We and representatives from the Providence Community Library are greeting parents and children this year at Providence's Student Registration Center, where kindergarten registration got under way last week. We've got activities for children who are waiting there, and we're telling parents about some exciting programs and resources to help them give their children a successful start in the fall.

PCL and R2LP are hosting information sessions this winter for the families of these Providence children. (Click here for dates and times.) At these sessions we'll explain two courses available to families at no cost - Ready for K! and Mind in the Making. Ready for K! is specifically designed for children who haven't attended a preschool program. Mind in the Making is an eight-session course for adults that covers the seven essential life skills all children need to succeed in school.