2024-25 Oakland Early Learning Symposium, Baby Steps: Shifting to Care for Younger Children

​The first Oakland Early Learning Symposium for the 2024-25 year, Baby Steps: Shifting to Care for Younger Children, focused on the changing early learning landscape in Oakland and the Bay as Universal PreK and Transitional Kindergarten roll out across the state. 

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​On November 13, over 170 local early care and education (ECE) professionals participated online in the symposium, which explored the evolving landscape of early childhood education, with a spotlight on  the growing shift toward serving younger children. Dr. LaWanda Wesley, Government Relations Director at Child Care Resource Center, kicked off the evening with an insightful overview of new statewide changes to the California State Preschool Program and the impact of Universal Transitional Kindergarten on our field.  

Watch a recording of the symposium on YouTube.

Next, a panel of local ECE professionals shared their experiences working with younger children. The panel included Luis Arenas from the Unity Council, Kavitha Ramesh from Kidango, and Natanya Michell, an Oakland Family Child Care provider. Beyond the practical requirements, the speakers noted that success with younger children requires a genuine passion for infant/toddler development.

The breakout sessions proved particularly productive, with participants having time to:

• Evaluate their program’s compatibility with serving younger age groups
• Exchange practical implementation strategies
• Discuss challenges and solutions

​One participant shared, “I learned from many experienced colleagues that patience and child-centered activities are the must-have elements during the shifting process for supporting infants/toddlers.”

​We built on the momentum of  our online event with a very successful in-person gathering last Saturday in Oakland on Saturday, November 16. Over 75 early learning professionals came together to engage in a presentation on  reading and early brain development from Tandem, Partners in Early Learning. Participants also had the chance to visit resource tables from OSSS partners, including First 5 Alameda County’s Help Me Grow program, Lotus Bloom, Oakland Promise and Brilliant Baby, Tandem, Partners in Early Learning,  Program for Infants and Toddlers (PITC), Alameda County Early Care and Education Planning Council, and BANANAS, Inc. We also celebrated with giveaways and raffle prizes: every attendee received three infant and toddler books, plus STEM books for infants and toddlers generously provided by the Alameda County Office of Education.  

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Overall, the two events offered a meaningful opportunity for our early learning community to come together, demonstrating our collective strength and ability to adapt to the changing needs of families and children. Stay tuned for our next symposium event this spring! ​