Child Care and Early Childhood

Young Black boy sitting in the grass..
  • 2022 Kids Count Data Book: State Trends in Child Well-Being (2022) (50-page PDF) – A state-by-state effort funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF) to track the status of children across the United States.
  • Child Care Choices – Maine licensed child care search. Child Care Choices brochure (English).
  • Growing Ideas Tipsheets and Resources for Guiding Early Childhood Practices – Free tipsheets and resources developed by the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies on a variety of topics related to quality inclusive care and education for young children. Each tipsheet is designed to be a starting point, providing basic topical information and pointing the reader to some of the best sources of extended information on the topic.
  • “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” Milestones in Action Photo and Video Library (2022) – From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Milestones in Action provides parents and caregivers with images to help understand the developmental milestones that children should reach from 2 months to 5 years. This is an excellent resource for families to reference as they complete a milestone checklist for their child. For professionals, the free photos and videos can be downloaded for professional development and parent education activities.
  • Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network – A partnership among the Catherine Cutler Institute at the University of Southern Maine, the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, and the Maine Afterschool Network that works to promote and support professionalism in the field of early childhood education and to improve quality through the provision of a statewide system of professional development.
  • Micro-Credential: Inclusive Education PreK-12 – This micro-credential recognizes and validates the learner’s successful completion of the University of Maine System (UMS) Inclusive Education PreK-12 (Levels 1, 2, and 3 Badges). The learner completed 20 hours of online training to support emergent skills, knowledge, and application in foundational principles of inclusive practices. Current education professionals can earn 2 CEUs from the University of Maine System. Non-education professionals and pre-service educators can earn 20 contact hours.
  • Opening Child Care in Maine: Resources and Support (2022) – A multi-language resource for individuals in Maine who are just beginning the process of opening a child care business or are in the middle of the process. Developed in collaboration with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child and Family Services; the Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network; and the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies.
  • Rising Stars for ME – Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) – Funded by the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Block Grant Program and administered by Maine’s Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), Rising Stars for ME is a five-star program designed to increase awareness of the importance of quality early childhood and out-of- school time experiences. As of 2021, all licensed child care programs in ME must be enrolled with the QRIS. What is Maine’s QRIS?
  • Rising Stars for ME Inclusive Practices Checklist (2022) (35-page PDF) – Maine’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) called Rising Stars for ME, includes specific program indicators that define and promote quality in early care and education (ECE) and Out-of-School Time (OST) settings across seven standards. The checklist was developed to improve staff confidence and competence in implementing inclusive practices. The focus is on program improvement and ensuring access to quality early care and education settings for all children.
  • Technical Assistance Competencies for Maine’s Early Childhood Workforce (2017) (42-page PDF) – A resource to support​​ an integrated, cross-system and cross-sector professional development system​ ​whose ultimate goal is to provide high quality services to young children and their families.​​ Collaborators include Kennebec Community Action Program, Educare Central Maine, Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network, and the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies.
  • Technical Assistance Competencies for Maine’s Early Childhood Workforce Self-Assessment Checklist (2017) (16-page PDF) – A companion document to Technical Assistance Competencies for Maine’s Early Childhood Workforce to assist TA professionals ​with​ assessing their skills within the five competency areas (professionalism, principles of adult learning, building relationships, the technical assistance process, and systems knowledge). The free Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is required to complete the checklist electronically. Please download How to Use the Fill & Sign Tool in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (PDF) for step-by-step instructions.
  • Visual Supports Checklist (2016) (2-page PDF) – Developed by early childhood staff from the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development; the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies; and the University of Maine Farmington. The checklist is based on a review of current literature, practical knowledge, and reported experiences from early childhood educators on the topic of visual supports.
  • Visual Supports Learning Links and Templates – This listing of resources, complied by the early childhood staff at CCIDS, are intended as a starting point to learn more about visual supports and to offer templates and suggestions to begin creating your own visual support materials.
  • The Warm Line (not a hotline!) – A free and confidential resource that provides NON-emergency person-to-person support for early childhood and school age professionals in Maine. The warm line is jointly staffed by inclusion, health, and mental health consultants from Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network and the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies. To contact the warm line, please email warmline@maine.edu or call toll-free 1.844.209.5964.
  • ZERO to THREE – A national nonprofit organization that informs, trains and supports professionals, policymakers and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers.

Updated: 10/04/2023