Oakland Starting Smart and Strong
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Upcoming Events

Subscribe below for more information about upcoming events.
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2026 Oakland Early Learning Symposium
Demystifying Early Literacy for Children Ages 0-5 
Saturday, January 31, 2026
​Doors open: 8:30 AM | Program: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Merritt College, Oakland 
Chinese Flyer | English Flyer | Spanish Flyer
Register at: ​https://bit.ly/2026OaklandELS
Join us for an inspiring day dedicated to nurturing the literacy journey of our youngest learners! This symposium brings together Oakland early care and education professionals to explore the critical foundations of early literacy for children ages 0-5.
What You'll Gain:
  • Expert Insights – Learn about emergent literacy concepts and how young children develop language and reading skills
  • Practical Resources – Discover locally designed early literacy tools and materials you can implement immediately in your classroom or program
  • Community Connection – Network and collaborate with fellow Oakland educators in a joyful, supportive environment that celebrates our shared commitment to early learning

​View the agenda here. 
Register at: ​https://bit.ly/2026OaklandELS
​
Registration fee: $25*
Breakfast and lunch provided
Raffles & giveaways! 
THIS IS AN IN-PERSON EVENT 
Language interpretation for Spanish and Cantonese available.
Professional development credits available. 
Due to limited capacity, Oakland providers will be prioritized in registration. 

*Limited scholarships for the registration fee are available for those in need. Complete the scholarship form here. 
OUSD teachers and staff: Contact Lawrence Gotanco at [email protected] before registering to arrange possible fee coverage. Note: You must contact him first; refunds cannot be issued after registration.
Champion Level Sponsors and Supporters
First 5 Alameda County
Oakland Children’s Initiative
Oakland Thrives
Kenneth Rainin Foundation
Community Level Sponsors and Supporters
BANANAS, Inc. 
​
City of Oakland, Head Start​
Hively
Oakland Unified School District 
Tandem, Partners in Early Learning
Contributing Financial Partners
Alameda County Office of Education
Collaborating Partners
Collaborative Classroom
EdVance College
Lotus Bloom 
Oakland Literacy Coalition
Oakland Promise
St. Vincent’s Day Home
Frequently Asked Questions
Registration Fee
The registration fee includes registration materials, continental breakfast, and lunch on Saturday. This is an in-person event and will not be recorded. 
Scholarships
Limited scholarships for the registration fee are available for those in need. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.  Complete the scholarship form here. 
Language Interpretation
Language interpretation for Spanish and Cantonese available. Please indicate which language you need when registering for the symposium.
Professional Development Credits
Digital certificates provided via email within 5 business days of the date of the symposium.
Refund Policy 
We are unable to grant refunds for tickets purchased. In the event of an extenuating circumstance on the day of the event, such as illness, refunds may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Requests must be submitted in writing and will be reviewed by the team at [email protected].
Transfer Policy
Registration may be transferred to another person up to the close of business on Thursday, January 29, 2026. Contact [email protected] to request a transfer by Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 5 pm. Original registrant remains responsible for payment.
Location and Parking
Merritt College is located at 12500 Campus Drive, Oakland, CA 94619. The Newton/Seele Conference Room is located in Building R. Parking is available in Lot C. A copy of the campus map can be found here. 

Past Events

logo for the oakland early learning symposium
Learn more here.
Baby Steps: Shifting to Care for Younger Children
November 13, 2024
Agenda | Event Video | Book List


Healing-Centered and Trauma-Responsive Early Learning Environments
May 1, 2024
Agenda | Event Video | Book List

Child Development in the New Now
November 8, 2023
Agenda | Event Video | 
Book List

Building Community with LGBTQ+ Families
April 26, 2023
Agenda | Event Video | Book List

Partnering with Families of Children with Special Needs
November 9, 2022
Agenda | Event video | Resources | Book List

Celebrating Multilingual Learners in ECE
May 4, 2022
Agenda | Event video

Fostering Social-Emotional Skills through Books
November 17, 2021
Event video | Presentation | Book List

Navigating the New Now: Child Care During Covid-19

Click here for information on this four part online series​

Let's Talk Early Learning
Learn more here.
2024-2025 Let's Talk Early Learning
​English Flyer​ | Spanish Flyer

Fall 2023 Let's Talk Early Learning
English Flyer | Spanish Flyer

​
COVID-19 Basics and ECE Safety from UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
​March 31, 2021
Event Video | Presentation | Key Takeaways and Resources

Task Force Meetings
The Changing ECE Landscape in Oakland
April 30, 2025

Updates and OUSD Kinder Transition Practices
April 23, 2020


Task Force Meeting
​December 18, 2019


Task Force Meeting
April 24, 2019​

Other Events
Early Development Instrument Special Event
​December 18, 2023

2023 Early Development Instrument (EDI) Data Dashboard

No One is Coming to Save Us Live Podcast (Live at KDOL-TV)
June 15, 2023

Flyer | Podcast

Screening of Clarissa's Battle  
March 18, 2023
Flyer | Handout

Centering Young Black Children in Oakland
March 16, 2021
Event Video | Background on Panelists | Q&A and Resources

Three excited young children play outside on a structure

Join our mailing list to learn more about upcoming events

Many of the photos on this site appear courtesy of Hasain Rasheed Photography
  • About
    • Our Purpose
    • Our Team >
      • Staff & Consultants
      • Supporters
      • Lead Planning Team
      • Committees and Task Force
      • Featured Leaders
    • Contact Us
  • Our Work
    • Racial Justice >
      • Promising Practices
      • ROCK >
        • ROCK TOOLKIT
    • Community Leadership >
      • Early Learning Symposium
      • Family Child Care Policy Program
    • Systems Change >
      • Developmental Screening
      • Strategic Plan
    • Data, Policy & Advocacy >
      • Policy & Advocacy
      • ECEcosystem Data Portal
      • Early Development Instrument
    • Collective Impact >
      • Year in Review
      • Results & Impact
  • RESOURCES
    • Reports
    • Tools
    • Presentations
    • Public Meetings
    • Community Resources
  • EVENTS
  • NEWS
    • Blog
    • Newsletter
    • Announcements
  • GET INVOLVED