Early Learning: Birth - 5

A toddler sits on a plastic colorful mat in the middle of a colorful preschool classroom facing a window with the sunshine casting shadows across the room.

The Early Learning division at Douglas ESD is dedicated to fostering the growth and development of young children from birth through age five, preparing them for lifelong learning and success. We collaborate with families, schools, childcare providers, community partners, and local employers to provide equitable access to high-quality early childhood education and support services.

We serve Douglas, Jackson, Klamath and Lake counties. We work to improve and connect early learning systems by partnering with communities, sharing resources, and supporting programs that make early childhood education better, fairer, and easier to access for everyone. Our goal is to create a strong foundation for every child, ensuring they are ready to thrive in school and beyond.

All educational services are FREE to eligible children, families, and caregivers.

What is Early Learning?

Douglas ESD has the contract for the Regional Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE) programs in Oregon's Region 3. This agreement is with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to provide special services for young children with disabilities. These programs are part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which makes sure that kids with disabilities get free and proper early education services.

What is Early Learning?

Early learning refers to the developmental process during the formative years of a child’s life, typically from birth to five-years-old. This stage encompasses critical milestones in:

Cognitive Development: Building foundational thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
Social and Emotional Development: Learning how to interact with others, manage emotions, and develop empathy.
Language Development: Acquiring communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal.
Physical Development: Strengthening motor skills, coordination, and overall health.

Early learning occurs in various environments, including the home, early childhood education centers, and the community.

Little boy playing with an alphabet puzzle.

Why is Early Learning Important?

Investing in early learning is important because it sets kids up for success in life. Most brain growth happens before age five, so activities like reading and play during this time help kids learn and grow. Early learning also gets kids ready for school by teaching them skills like counting and recognizing letters. It helps them build social skills like sharing and teamwork, and it teaches them how to handle emotions and face challenges. In the long run, kids who join quality early learning programs tend to do better in school, get good jobs, and make healthier life choices.

Preschool students sit around a table playing with colorful toys. The child in the foreground is wearing a blue shirt and is smiling.

Who We Serve

EI/ECSE Children

Childcare Providers

Care Connections & Education serves Douglas, Klamath & Lake Counties as a resource to increase and build connections to quality child care. We empower child care providers to excel in their profession through educational opportunities on best practices, exploration of career pathways and connection with families needing care.

Care Connections & Education

Preschool students play with colorful wooden ball in classroom. A teacher provides guidance.

Parents & Caregivers

Preschool Families

Employers & Advocates

Business Champions for Kids

Business Champions for Kids (Biz4Kids) encourages and recognizes local employers who adopt family friendly practices that support early childhood development. Biz4Kids reaches out to all employers to educate, engage, and provide resources on family friendly practices that benefit families and the businesses’ bottom line.

Business Champion for Kids

Childcare is Fundamental

Access to quality childcare is crucial for families, but it can often be costly and difficult to find available openings. The availability of quality childcare is not only vital for a child's healthy development and future success, but also for the overall stability of our community's workforce and economic growth. Join us in our efforts to increase access to quality childcare. Together, we can help ensure that Douglas County remains a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.

Childcare is Fundamental

News

A toddler is climbing through a play tunnel shaped like a big in preschool playground.

Childcare
Early Learning
Grant Funding
Preschool

Grant awarded to benefit childcare

Douglas County Childcare Coalition (DCCC) is dedicated to increasing the quantity, quality and accessibility of childcare in the county. Members include early learning, business leaders and employers, education and workforce, faith-based, government officials and funders.

Contact Us

Julie Hurley

Executive Director of Early Learning

Windy Digby

EI/ECSE Director

Robin Van Winkle

Early Learning Program Facilitator

Gillian Wesenberg

M. A. CHW - Director of Early Learning HUB

Stacy Inman

EI/ECSE Director

Heather Freilinger

Program Coordinator

Vanessa Pingleton

Early Learning Program Facilitator for Douglas, Klamath & Lake

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Early Learning: Birth - 5

About Douglas ESD Early Learning

What is Early Learning?

What is Early Learning?

Why is Early Learning Important?

Who We Serve

EI/ECSE Children

EI/ECSE Children

Childcare Providers

Childcare Providers

Parents & Caregivers

Parents & Caregivers

Preschool Families

Preschool Families

Employers & Advocates

Business Champions for Kids

Childcare is Fundamental

News

Contact Us

Julie Hurley

Windy Digby

Robin Van Winkle

Gillian Wesenberg

Stacy Inman

Heather Freilinger

Vanessa Pingleton

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