Early Childhood Convening
Join us at the Early Childhood Convening! Educators, leaders & advocates uniting to shape the future of early learning in Indiana.
Date and time
Location
Central Indiana Educational Service Center
3500 Depauw Boulevard Indianapolis, IN 46268Agenda
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Registration & Networking Breakfast
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Dr. Andrew Melin, Executive Director, CIESC
9:15 AM - 10:00 AM
Keynote Address - The Future of Early Learning in Indiana
Mark Chamberlain (Early Learning Advocate)
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Break
9:15 AM - 10:00 AM
Panel Discussion #1: Strengthening the Workforce Pipeline
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Presentation: Indiana Department Of Education - Kindergarten Transition Model
Sarah Parks-Reese (IDOE)
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
Networking Lunch
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
Panel Discussion #2: Building Bridges: Collaboration Across Systems
2:15 PM - 2:30 PM
Break
2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
Interactive Session: Policy & Funding Outlook: What’s Next for Indiana?
Courtney Hott
Krystal Robinson
3:15 PM - 3:45 PM
Action Planning Session
3:45 PM - 4:00 PM
Closing & Next Steps
Good to know
Highlights
- 6 hours
- In person
About this event
Join us for a powerful day of collaboration and conversation at the Early Childhood Convening, hosted by the Central Indiana Educational Service Center (CIESC).
As Indiana continues to prioritize early learning and workforce development, this event brings together key leaders, educators, practitioners, and policy makers to explore the current state of early childhood education and shape its future.
We will examine how to better support both community-based and school-based early childhood programs through high-quality professional development, family engagement, workforce pathways, and systems alignment.
CIESC has emerged as a statewide leader in early childhood support through our work with the IDOE Kindergarten Readiness team and recent projects focused on Kindergarten transition, educator training, and cross-sector collaboration. We are excited to bring together voices from across the state to inform next steps, foster innovation, and strengthen Indiana’s early learning landscape.
Whether you lead a classroom, shape policy, support educators, or advocate for families, this event is for you.
This convening is open to anyone invested in the future of early childhood education in Indiana, including:
- Early childhood educators (school-based and community-based)
- Program directors and administrators
- School district leaders
- Higher education faculty and trainers
- Policy makers and funders
- Family engagement specialists
- Nonprofit and advocacy organizations
- State and regional agency partners
Topics of Discussion May Include:
- Strengthening the early childhood workforce pipeline
- Accreditation and quality improvement in early learning programs
- PreK–K transition and instructional alignment
- Building bridges between school-based and community-based programs
- Policy opportunities and funding outlook
- Supporting family engagement and wraparound services
What to Expect:
Engaging speakers and facilitated panels
Networking with peers from across Indiana
Opportunities to share your voice and help shape future support offerings
A free lunch and refreshments provided throughout the day
Additional Details:
Parking is free and available onsite
Registration closes: October 17, 2025 @ 3:00 PM EST
For questions, contact:
Lena Darnay - ldarnay@ciesc.org
Courtney Hott - courtneyh@hottbuttonpublicaffairs.com
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