Siuslaw Childcare Friends

10/09/2026

10/03/2026

09/15/2026

Did you know Siuslaw Childcare Friends offers workforce stipends to encourage the development of the Siuslaw Region’s childcare workforce?

Step Advancement Awards are available to any ECE worker employed in the Siuslaw Region who completes:

• Step 9, $750
• Step 6, $500
• Step 4, $300

Any childcare provider may nominate its eligible workers for these awards, using a form provided by Siuslaw Childcare Friends.

The Step Advancement Awards provide stipends to Early Childhood Education workers in the Siuslaw Region who have significantly advanced their professional competence, as reflected in the Oregon Step Registry Program (OSRP), between April 1, 2026 and before August 31, 2027.

For more information, visit childcarefriends.org

08/31/2026

Please take this quick survey about Economics & Childcare by the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center (OVBC) & ECOnorthwest, and the Children's Institute for this statewide survey.

Their goal is to understand how spending on early childhood education impacts jobs, pay, and the need for public assistance in Oregon's economy.

https://ovbc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eCzT3Y9xmRgASDs

More info: https://oregonvbc.org/

Please take this opportunity to fill out and share this survey about Economics & Childcare by the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center (OVBC) & ECOnorthwest, and the Children's Institute for this statewide survey.

They want to understand how spending on early care and education affects jobs, pay, and how much people rely on public assistance and what that means for Oregon's economy overall.

The goal is to give state leaders solid, current information to help with decisions about childcare and early education.

What to expect?
This survey should take about 10-15 minutes. Random and robotic responders and those writing hate speech in the open response questions are subject to disqualification through validity analytics.

https://ovbc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eCzT3Y9xmRgASDs

More info: https://oregonvbc.org/

08/27/2026

Thank you to the community for attending our ribbon-cutting ceremony today at the Elm Park Early Learning Center!

This childcare destination, located next to the Elm Park Apartments, will provide four classrooms for children in the community; two rooms operated by Head Start of Lane County, and two rooms operated by Stepping Stones Early Learning Center.

For more information, visit our website at: https://childcarefriends.org

08/06/2026

Thank you to Congresswoman Val Hoyle for visiting Elm Park!

Congresswoman Val Hoyle, along with Lane County, and Florence city officials, toured of the newly completed Elm Park apartments in Florence on June 29.

07/15/2026

We’re so happy to hear this news!

🌟 Pre-Enrollment for Our September Opening is Now Open 🌟

Our Stepping Stones community is growing, and we are honored to share that families have already begun reserving their places for our first year!

As we prepare to open this fall, we look forward to welcoming the first children and families into a community built on connection, trust, and meaningful early learning experiences.

We are currently accepting pre-enrollments for:

👶 Infants
🧒 Toddlers
🎨 Preschool

If you are looking for care this fall, we encourage you to begin the enrollment process soon. Spaces are limited in each classroom, and we are thoughtfully preparing our classrooms to welcome children and families.

At Stepping Stones, we believe early learning begins with relationships. Through intentional interactions, hands-on exploration, responsive care, and supportive daily routines, children are supported as they grow in confidence, independence, and curiosity.

Each moment of the day is an opportunity for connection and learning — through exploration, discovery, and meaningful engagement.

🎉 Enroll by June 30 and receive $25 off the annual enrollment fee

Reserve your child’s spot on the waitlist here:
🔗https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdCJetoltAp5RoqehXC1gIGra7-_SHXA9moANRprgaL-bpssA/viewform?usp=header

We look forward to welcoming our first Stepping Stones families. 🌱

06/30/2026

As the Elm Park Early Learning Center approaches its opening, Siuslaw Childcare Friends is raising money to help parents pay for the child care they need.

Many parents earn too much income to qualify for Head Start, but not enough to afford market rates. It is this gap that our fundraising attempts to bridge.

Visit our website at: ChildcareFriends.org