Early Learning Indiana

We're thrilled to welcome Katie Mote as Chief Operating Officer at Early Learning Indiana.

A respected leader in Indiana's education community, Katie brings extensive experience in strategy, operations and systems change. Her leadership will help us expand our impact, strengthen opportunities for children and families and continue building a future where every child enters kindergarten ready to thrive.

Welcome, Katie!

We love seeing the ideas from our Expert Voices sessions come to life in early learning classrooms!

Dianne Hands from Helping HANDS Daycare recently joined us for Exploring Data Analysis and Computation: A Mathematical Journey for 2-5 Year Olds. As part of her participation, she received classroom materials to bring these learning experiences back to her children. We’re excited to see them putting the materials to use!

From exploring patterns and numbers to building early problem-solving skills, young children have so many opportunities to develop mathematical thinking through everyday play and discovery. We’re thrilled to see educators bringing these ideas into their classrooms!

Want to join us for future Expert Voices events? Sign up for our email updates and follow us on social media so you don’t miss what’s coming next: https://share.hsforms.com/12GSLfq1FQRGa-_LtKxDXlQcvm3v

🌱 Invest in yourself. Strengthen your classroom.

Eligible early childhood educators are invited to attend the Early Childhood Educator Professional Development Conference at no cost, thanks to generous support from the United Way of Central Indiana.

Spend the day connecting with fellow educators, learning new strategies and gaining practical tools you can take straight back to your classroom. You’ll also earn professional development hours while building skills that help you better support the children and families you serve.

📅 Saturday, October 24
📍 Embassy Suites Event Center | Plainfield, IN

Eligible educators must live or work in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan or Putnam counties.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect and grow alongside other early childhood professionals. 💚

👉 Register today: https://earlylearningin.org/.../early-childhood-educator

Today, Early Learning Indiana CEO Erin Kissling joined Stephanie Wells of the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute for a panel discussion at the 2026 Childcare Summit: Building Indiana’s Workforce Through Childcare.

The summit brought together state leaders, employers, industry experts and childcare advocates to share perspectives on the connection between childcare and Indiana’s workforce, explore the latest data and policy updates and highlight approaches being tried across the state.

We’re glad to be part of the conversation and to share Early Learning Indiana’s perspective alongside leaders from across Indiana.

Thank you to the Indiana Chamber of Commerce for convening this discussion.

What does rich learning look like in the early years? Sometimes, it looks like a book in one hand and a rock in the other!

At one of our Day Early Learning schools, books and literacy were thoughtfully woven into a rock study, creating opportunities for children to build vocabulary, share ideas, make connections and deepen their understanding through hands-on exploration.

As the children explored how rocks can be formed from sand and pebbles, their learning quickly sparked new ideas. One friend shared, “I made a volcano—look at the lava!” Another proudly announced, “I made a tall mountain!”

Through intentional questions, meaningful materials and opportunities to explore and express their thinking, early childhood educators help create rich learning experiences where children's curiosity can grow.

This is what meaningful early learning looks like: literacy, exploration, conversation and imagination coming together.

Over the past two years, a remarkable group of early learning leaders has invested their time, energy and heart into growing as leaders through Early Learning Indiana's Building Impact program.

Together, they’ve learned, challenged themselves, built meaningful connections and explored new ways to strengthen their schools and support the educators, children and families they serve. Their commitment to learning and leading reminds us of what is possible when passionate people come together around a shared purpose: creating brighter futures for young children.

This week, we celebrated the completion of this journey—and we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to every leader who participated. Thank you for showing up, leaning in, sharing your experiences and continuing to grow. The impact of your leadership reaches far beyond this program.

We can’t wait to see how you continue to inspire, lead and make a difference in your schools and communities! 💙

Ready to invest in your professional growth?

Eligible early childhood educator can attend the Early Childhood Educator Professional Development Conference at no cost, thanks to the United Way of Central Indiana.

Join fellow educators for a day of learning, networking and practical strategies you can bring back to your classroom. Plus, you'll earn professional development hours while building new skills to support the children and families you serve.

📅 Saturday, October 24
📍 Embassy Suites Event Center | Plainfield, IN

This opportunity is available to educators in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan and Putnam counties.

Register today: https://earlylearningin.org/.../early-childhood-educator

More than 70 early childhood educators came together Saturday to learn, explore and strengthen their practice as part of our latest Expert Voices professional development session.

Led by Dr. Ryan Flessner of Butler University, the morning was filled with hands-on learning focused on data analysis, computation and the many ways young children ages 2–5 can build a strong foundation in mathematical thinking.

Showing up on a Saturday to deepen their learning is just one more example of the commitment Indiana’s early childhood educators bring to their work every day. We’re grateful for their curiosity, dedication and willingness to keep growing for the children and families they serve.

Here’s to educators who are always learning, always growing and always looking for new ways to help young children thrive.

Last chance to apply!

The future of Indiana starts with early learning—and your voice can help shape what comes next.

The inaugural Civic Impact Academy from Early Learning Indiana brings together leaders to explore how early childhood education shapes our communities, workforce and economy. Across three sessions this fall, participants will connect with experts, engage in meaningful conversations and gain practical insights into one of Indiana’s most important issues.

Applications close soon. Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of the conversation.

Apply today and help shape Indiana’s future: https://earlylearningin.org/civic-impact-academy/

Yesterday, the world lost a beloved artist and extraordinary champion for children.

For those in early learning, Dolly Parton’s legacy lives especially in the millions of children who have received the gift of a book through her Imagination Library. Dolly understood that a book can open a child’s mind, nurture connection and help young children imagine a bigger world.

We are grateful for the generations of young readers whose lives she touched, and for the enduring reminder she leaves us: every child deserves the chance to dream, learn and grow.

Here in Indiana, Dolly’s gift continues. Children ages 0–5 in all 92 Indiana counties can receive a free, age-appropriate book every month through the Imagination Library of Indiana. Families can register their child in just a few minutes.

Learn more and sign up: https://imaginationlibrary.com/indiana/