Upcoming Events!

This Pride Month, we recognize and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and reaffirm our commitment to creating learning environments where every individual is seen, valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. Pride is both a celebration of identity and a reminder of the ongoing work required to ensure that all people have equitable access to opportunities, resources, and a genuine sense of belonging. The Mission of the California Early Childhood Mentor Program is to strengthen and sustain the child care and development work force my recruiting, engaging and elevating a broad representation of certified mentors who are reflective of the communities they serve. 

Our program is grounded in the belief that equity, inclusion, diversity, and accessibility are not simply goals, but essential values that shape how we learn, collaborate, and serve one another. We honor the rich diversity of experiences, perspectives, cultures, identities, and abilities that strengthen our community. By fostering inclusive practices and embracing the uniqueness of every participant, we help build spaces where everyone can contribute fully, learn authentically, and succeed.

As we celebrate Pride Month, we invite our community to reflect on the importance of belonging, continue learning from one another, and recommit to creating environments where all people are welcomed, affirmed, and supported.

In celebration,

Neva

The future of California’s early childhood workforce depends on engaged educators, advocates, mentor teachers, and community members who are willing to speak up for the profession.

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing will hold a public hearing regarding proposed amendments to Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations pertaining to the Child Development Permit. This hearing is an important opportunity to learn more about the proposed changes and participate in the public comment process.

These decisions may impact pathways into the profession, professional growth opportunities, and the systems that support early childhood educators across California. Your voice and lived experience matter.

Public Hearing Information

Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM

Attend In Person

651 Bannon Street
Southeast Tower (SE), Room SE-152
Sacramento, CA

Join Virtually

Zoom Meeting ID: 837 0723 1964

Listen by Phone

1-877-853-5257
1-888-475-4499

We encourage mentor teachers, site supervisors, faculty, students, administrators, and ECE professionals to review the proposed amendments and consider participating in the hearing process. Public engagement helps ensure that policies reflect the realities, strengths, and needs of the early childhood education community.

Why Participation Matters

When educators participate in policy conversations, we help:

• Advocate for equitable and accessible professional pathways
• Strengthen workforce development efforts
• Elevate the voices of early childhood professionals
• Support high-quality learning environments for children and families
• Shape the future of the Child Development Permit system

The California Early Childhood Mentor Program believes that collaboration and advocacy are essential to building a stronger ECE community. We invite you to stay informed, share this information with colleagues, and join the conversation.

🔗 For additional information, review the Coded Correspondence (26-05)

Together, we can help shape the future of early childhood education in California.

The field of early childhood education has been profoundly shaped by leaders whose vision and dedication continue to influence practice for generations. Among these leaders, Thelma Harms stands as a guiding force whose work elevated the importance of high-quality environments for young children.

Her contributions helped define what quality looks like in early learning settings—emphasizing that thoughtfully designed, responsive, and nurturing environments are essential to children’s development. Through her work, educators gained tools and frameworks to reflect on their practice, strengthen classroom environments, and center the well-being of children in every decision.

Thelma Harms’ impact extends far beyond the tools she helped create. She championed a vision of early childhood education rooted in respect—for children, for educators, and for the environments where learning unfolds. Her work reinforced the understanding that quality care is not incidental; it is intentional, reflective, and deeply connected to the relationships and spaces that shape early experiences.

The California Early Childhood Mentor Program holds deep respect and gratitude for Thelma Harms’ lifelong dedication to the field. Her commitment to excellence continues to guide mentors, educators, and students as they strive to create meaningful learning environments across California. The values she upheld—care, reflection, and continuous improvement—are foundational to the work of mentoring and professional growth.

As we honor her legacy, we recognize that her spirit lives on in every classroom that prioritizes quality, in every mentor who supports the next generation of educators, and in every child who benefits from nurturing and intentional care.

Her influence endures, not only in the history of early childhood education, but in its future.