We're Here to Help with the Pathways!
- Alisa Stephens
- Sep 30
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 1
An inside look into Early Care and Education
October 2025
Pathway to the Stars
NCDCDEE licensing consultants have begun talking about the Pathways to the Stars. As we are all learning what the changes will be and how they will affect our programs. There will be different ways you can become star rated. Some of the new components of the rating tiers include enhanced ratio or space, family and community engagement, continuous improvement plan for staff and accreditation.
There are three pathways available:
Pathway 1.Family Childcare homes and childcare centers can have a program assessment.
Pathway 2. Focus on classroom quality and instruction.
Pathway 3. Based on accreditation and Head Start programs. The accreditations can be from:
COGNIA (for programs serving infants, toddlers, & preschoolers the accreditation with early learning standards)
National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs (NAC)
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
We are here to offer you support and provide technical assistance to help with these changes. Get more information about each pathway and its requirements here.
Self Care
October offers a unique opportunity to pause, reset, and invest in your well-being before the holiday rush. By embracing seasonal routines, setting boundaries, and nurturing your mind and body, you’ll enter the colder months feeling calmer, healthier, and more prepared to give your best to your students.
Children and anger
When children become angry. They need time to process the emotions they are feeling. While some children are angry they may yell or throw things or become aggressive to other children and others may withdraw . Just like adults they respond differently. As educators we can help teach children what anger is and what are positive things we can do about it.
Positive Psychology suggests the following:
Anger management for kids involves teaching them to recognize & express emotions in healthy ways, reducing outbursts & frustration.
Techniques such as deep breathing, positive self-talk & role-playing help children learn to manage anger constructively.
Supporting children in developing these skills enhances their emotional wellbeing & social interactions.
What are some things that you do in the classroom to help children understand their emotions?
Books and Early Literacy
Having books displayed in a way that make them easy to see the covers and access is important. Books that are on a shelf with only the spines showing or are just laying on top of each other in a basket are generally not as accessible for children. The front facing book shelf pictured here is a great way to help make books accessible and attractive for children.
Positive interactions with books and noticing when a child is using a book independently help support early literacy and children’s confidence in using books.
Be sure to have enough books that are in good repair with appropriate content in your classroom library. Contact Deanna if you would like support with your classroom library and meeting the requirements of Items 13 &14 of ITERS-3 or Items 14 & 15 of ECERS-3.
Book of the month
Say Hello! by Rachel Isadora follows Carmelita and her mother through their neighborhood and gives a taste of hello in multiple languages. A wonderful title to diversify your classroom library.
Lesson Plan Ideas aligned with NCFELD
Here are a few activities you can add to your toolbox.
Story Sequencing with Pictures
Language and Literacy
Using printed pictures from the story, children can arrange them in the order they appear in the book. This simple activity helps them understand the sequence of events and reinforces story structure in an engaging way.
Goal LDC-9: Children comprehend and use information presented in books and other print media.
Math
Using pumpkins, pumpkin printouts or pumpkin shapes have children lay on the floor and use the pumpkins to measure how tall they are. As you place each pumpkin count out loud with the children.
NCFELD Mathematical Thinking and Expression Goal CD-11: Children compare, sort, group, organize, and measure objects and create patterns in their everyday environment.
Science
Leaf Collecting and Art: Go on a nature walk to collect colorful autumn leaves. Use these leaves to create art projects, such as leaf rubbings or collages, which help toddlers explore textures and colors. Conduct simple experiments, like observing how pumpkins float in water or exploring the properties of different leaves. This can spark curiosity and introduce basic scientific concepts.
Sensory Bins: Create sensory bins filled with seasonal items like acorns, pinecones, and dried corn. This hands-on activity promotes sensory exploration and imaginative play.
NCFELD Scientific Exploration and Knowledge Goal CD-15: Children explore the natural world by observing, manipulating objects, asking questions, making predictions, and developing generalizations
Health and Physical Development
Creating opportunities for children to try different movements such as walking and crawling. This can be altered to meet the developmental needs for any age group. Create mazes and obstacle courses that are age appropriate. You can use items you have in your classroom or on your playground.
North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning Strategies for Motor Development Move from place to place as their abilities allow (squirm, roll, scoot, crawl, cruise, or walk). HPD-4d
Recipe of the Month
Banana Pumpkin Muffins
Need
Blender
Muffin tin
Ingredients
2 very ripe bananas
1 cup pumpkin puree
4 large eggs
1/4 cup flavorless oil avocado or vegetable oil
3 tbsp maple syrup or honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice or see sub in post
1 tbsp baking powder
1/4 tsp fine salt
2 1/3 cups rolled oats gluten-free if desired
1/4 cup optional toppings such as mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a standard muffin tin with paper liners.
Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender in the order they are listed above. Blend until oats are finely ground and all ingredients are well incorporated. Scrape the sides and bottom of the blender one time and blend again for a few seconds to make sure all ingredients are mixed into the batter.
Fill prepared muffin tin with the batter using a scoop or a large spoon. Fill each muffin cup almost to the top. These muffins will rise a little then fall back down after baked. Top with any additional toppings as desired.
Bake until golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, about 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer muffins to a cooling rack. Cool completely then enjoy.
Mark your Calendar
October 04 | 1-5 PM | Bridge Park, Downtown Sylva Pumpkins in the Park - A free event sponsored by Uncomplicated Kitchen
October 11 | 9 AM -12 PM | Monteith Farmstead Park, Sylva
Jackson County Roll & Read - Free family event with Parents As Teachers - Bring scooters, bikes, wagons, wheelchairs, and strollers for a day of rolling and story time stations.
About us
We are here to assist with self-study, mock assessments, Pathways, challenging behaviors, and more. To see how we can help, reach out to us here, or visit our webpage to learn more about Early Care and Education trainings and staff.
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