Resources for ECE Professionals
At MaineAEYC, we firmly believe in empowering people to advocate for themselves and their community. This resource hub is intended to be a one-stop shop for all the contact information, links, and resources that you need to stay up-to-date on the childcare field in Maine. We hope this helps you to stay prepared, knowledgable, and ready as changes are made. We also hope this helps you find the resources you need when questions arise! You are your own best problem solver!
Quality Improvement and Accreditation Resources
Rising Stars for ME
Rising Stars for ME is funded by the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) and administered by Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS). Rising Stars for ME’s purpose is to recognize programs that provide quality care, encourage program owners and directors to increase their level of quality, and provide parents with identifiable standards of quality.
Maine Roads to Quality PDN
The state-wide early care and education professional development network, offers support and peer learning cohorts for programs pursuing NAEYC center-based accreditation, NAFCC family child care accreditation, and COA school-age accreditation. Financial support through partial payment of accreditation fees and re-accreditation fees is also available. website.
NAEYC Accreditation
For more information about accreditation and the professional standards for early childhood education programs, please visit the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) website.
Child Care Licensing
If you have questions about licensing, you can contact your state Licensor or access the following information below:
Recently Maine participated in a child care cost analysis in partnership with the Center for Early Learning Funding Equity. The Department of Health and Human Services announced new child care reimbursement rates taking effect in July 2024 to better meet the needs of children and families in Maine. Please read more about these increases in their recently released blog.
To view a copy of Maine’s Market Rate Survey report or to view the Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP) July rates, please click here.
Early Childhood Educator Salary Supplement System
In 2023, we advocated together to double the investment in the early childhood worker wage stipend program, and we won! In order to ensure you’re getting an accurate stipend each month, you will need to keep your Career Lattice level regularly updated with MRTQ . Helpful resources for this process are linked here.
MRTQ Direct Care Lattice
This is a helpful image to see where you land on MRTQ’s Direct Care Career Lattice and steps you could take to move up to the next level.
*Note: This is a SIMPLIFIED version of the career lattice. Full details can be found at the Career Lattice link above.
Programs to Support Early Childhood Settings and Families
ECE Consultation for ME is Maine’s statewide Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) program that helps children from birth through age 8 by supporting the adults who care for them. Our IECMH Consultants partner with early care & education providers, teachers, families, and caregivers to strengthen children’s social and emotional growth. Services are free and voluntary.
Help Me Grow (HMG) Maine is a free information line linking families and professionals to information about child development, pregnancy, and community resources for children all over Maine up to the age of eight years old.
Call today by dialing 211 option 5 to speak to a Family Support Specialist who will listen, link you to services, and provide ongoing support when needed.
The Child Development Services system is an Intermediate Educational Unit that provides both Early Intervention (birth through two years) and Free Appropriate Public Education (for ages three through five years) under the supervision of the Maine Department of Education. The CDS system ensures the provision of special education rules, federal and state regulations statewide, through a network of regional sites.
QRIS Tips From Maine
Roads to Quality
For further technical assistance opportunities, professional development, or to join a community of practice near you through the Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network, reach out to your ECE Quality Specialist.
