The Office of Early Learning (OEL) is DPI’s support for a statewide early childhood system to increase collaboration and coordination of the early learning community at local, regional and statewide community levels. The early childhood community includes parents, teachers, administrators, support staff, Cooperative Educational Service Agencies, public libraries, governmental and non-governmental agencies, consumer and professional associations, relevant philanthropic organizations, and legislators. The OEL is housed in the Teaching and Learning Team in the Division for Academic Excellence but works collaboratively across DPI divisions and other state departments to bring continuity and cohesiveness to the programs associated with early learning. The OEL provides leadership, partnership, policy development, incentives, and technical assistance to the early childhood community for children birth to age eight throughout Wisconsin.
About the Office of Early Learning
Early Care and Education Settings
OEL Initiatives/Priorities
Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
The Early Dual Language Learner Initiative (EDLLI) provides professional development, technical assistance and resources to community partners regarding culturally and linguistically responsive practices for young children, birth-6.
In Wisconsin several groups are working to build a unified sense of professional development between teachers of young children, whether they work in child care, Head Start, or in the schools. Around Wisconsin, there are many excellent opportunities for training related to working with young children and their families. https://dpi.wi.gov/early-childhood/prof-dev/training
State Superintendent Evers Co-Chairs this council.
- Poverty and Homelessness - McKinney Vento Homeless Programs
The Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program's major responsibility is to implement the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act
Professional development for early learning educators and community
Many of DPI’s Early Learning efforts are coordinated through the WEECP, a network of state, regional, and community groups and individuals working together to improve the lives of young children and families.
The Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards specify developmental expectations for children from birth through entrance to first grade
Other Early Childhood System Collaborators
- Cooperative Educational Service Agencies
Many CESAs have expanded their expertise and commitment to cooperative services to include early childhood education.
- CREATE Wisconsin Statewide initiative working to close the achievement gap amongst diverse student populations and eliminate race as a predictor of placement in special education. DPI, school districts, and Cooperative Educational Service Agencies are teaming up to identify, promote and implement new practices
- Governor’s Early Childhood Advisory Council
The ECAC builds and recommends work to the Wisconsin Early Childhood Collaborating Partners (WECCP), the Children's Trust Fund Board, and the Partners for Wisconsin Economic Success and the Governor's Birth to Three Interagency Coordinating Council
- Health Medical
- Licensing of Child Care Programs
The child care licensing program is a component of the services provided by Department of Children and Families
- Public Private Partnerships/Economic Development
PWES is a network of business and non-profit leaders interested in the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development of young children, both for their individual benefit and for the long-term economic development of the State of Wisconsin.
- Social Emotional Competency - Pyramid Model for Social Emotional Development Comprehensive
Cross disciplinary professional development to support professionals working to ensure the social and emotional well-being of infants, young children, and their families.