The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) has announced a significant initiative to bolster professional development for early childhood educators. Through a limited number of licenses, New Mexico educators working with young children, from prenatal stages to age five, can now access the comprehensive online professional development program, Quorum Learning, at no cost. This move is part of a larger statewide effort to strengthen training and credentialing opportunities within the early childhood education sector.
What is Quorum Learning?
Quorum eLearning offers an extensive library of over 180 hours of interactive online courses, available 24/7. These high-quality courses cover crucial topics essential for early childhood professionals. Educators can enhance their skills and knowledge in areas such as developmental milestones, health and safety protocols, language development strategies, trauma-informed practices, resilience building techniques, supporting children with special needs, and effective family engagement methods. All Quorum courses are available in both English and Spanish and are approved for Continuing Education Units (CEUs), adding significant value for professional advancement. A detailed course menu can be explored here.
Elizabeth Groginsky, New Mexico’s Cabinet Secretary of Early Childhood Education and Care, emphasized the timeliness and importance of this initiative: “In these unprecedented and challenging times, it is crucial for the state to expand access to online training for everyone who works with families and young children. We are delighted to supplement our existing professional development programs, offered by our higher education community, through this partnership with Quorum eLearning.”
Debra Baca, Vice President of Early Childhood Education at YDI NM, highlighted the broad impact of this program: “The Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) is dedicated to supporting professional development across the entire state and throughout the early childhood industry. Child care providers, family home providers, Head Start programs, and home visitors will all greatly benefit from this accessible online learning platform. This initiative will empower our educators to access high-quality training, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for New Mexico’s children and families.”
Daniela Baca, Director of UNM Children’s Campus, further emphasized the investment in educators as an investment in the future: “The UNM Children’s Campus strongly believes that investing in early childhood professionals is investing in our future. Access to affordable, high-quality professional development opportunities for early childhood educators can often be a challenge. Providing a platform that is both free of cost and easily accessible is a significant step in addressing this concern. The new Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) and Cabinet Secretary Groginsky’s commitment to building a well-educated and robust early childhood workforce will have a profound impact on the education and well-being of children in New Mexico.”
Michelle Rosen-Hatcher, director of Kids Campus at Santa Fe Community College, shared the immediate positive impact on her staff: “Kids Campus at SFCC has been operational since June, and our staff has been diligently creating engaging learning experiences for all our children while prioritizing safety and health. The missing component has been readily available, high-quality learning opportunities for our staff. As early childhood educators, continuous growth and reflection on our practice are essential for fresh ideas and insights, and for the overall development of our workforce.”
Who Should Apply for Quorum Learning Licenses?
Quorum is already a trusted platform utilized by 30,000 early educators nationwide and is distributed by Kaplan Early Learning Company. These licenses are specifically available to early educators in New Mexico who are working in various settings, including child care centers, Head Start programs, PreK classrooms, home visiting programs, and other early intervention initiatives. Spanish-speaking educators, educational assistants within public schools, and educators from Tribal communities are particularly encouraged to apply for these valuable quorum learning licenses.
Educators interested in obtaining a free Quorum license can sign up online through the Quorum Learning website for state initiatives. This project is generously supported by the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five Initiative (PDG B-5), from the Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, underscoring the commitment to enhancing early childhood education across New Mexico.
