In June, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) celebrated the first-ever graduating class of the School’s Spanish-language Child Development Associate (CDA) cohort. The CDA certificate supports preschool teachers, childcare workers, and others pursuing careers in early childhood education through required coursework, advisement, career services, and additional support. This is the School’s first CDA to be offered in a language other than English.

Yohaina Martinez and Gaby Paulino-Pena were honored at the 2026 National Association for Family Child Care Annual Conference for graduating from the NAFCC Leaders Shaping Leaders Academy. This Academy is a year-long series of professional development sessions intended to cultivate future leaders by pairing them with peer mentors, who share strategies and insights regarding family child care leadership. These conversations are immediately applicable in their day-to-day work and create a network of fellow leaders and connections in the field. QUALITYstarsNY interviewed Yohaina and Gaby about their experience in Leaders Shaping Leaders.

In June, QUALITYstarsNY attended the 2026 Early Care & Learning Council Annual Meeting to celebrate the network of Child Care Resource Centers across New York State. During the event, Julie Champion, the Executive Director of Child & Family Resources, Inc., who regularly connects with our Finger Lakes Quality Improvement Specialists, received the Child Care Resource Leadership Award. We are proud to celebrate her for her outstanding leadership and consistent support for children and families throughout the state.

From April 13 to April 17, QUALITYstarsNY celebrated the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) Week of the Young Child (WOYC) 2026. The week is all about celebrating learning and development in children through a series of themed days that include music, art, food, and family. Take a look at how the QUALITYstarsNY community celebrated.

WXXI Education and the Educators' Resource Center at Monroe Community College hosted a community screening of the film "Make a Circle" by Jen Bradwell and Todd Boekelheide. The evening began with participants visiting vendor tables of community partners, including QUALITYstarsNY, the Finger Lakes Career Development Center, Child Care Council, and Children's Institute. A welcome reception set the tone of coming together, holding space, and remembering the power of community. The film was powerful--not just something to watch, but something to feel, leaving the audience moved to tears by the film's end.