EXCERPT FROM: Birth to Thrive
By Paul Nyhan
We spend a lot of time writing about the importance of early intervention, research-based practices, proven curriculums, and public policies. But, there is another building block of early learning: the family dinner.

EXCERPT FROM: Education Week
By Lesli Maxwell
The nine states splitting $500 million in Race to the Top early-learning grants must now deliver on a slate of ambitious promises to improve the quality of early-childhood education for tens of thousands of low-income children who rely on a patchwork of publicly financed child-care and preschool programs.

EXCERPT FROM: Abilene Reporter-News
By Ethan Fowler
Although more training bodes well for parents with children in licensed day care, it may cost them more money.

EXCERPT FROM: Birth to Thrive Online
By Paul Nyhan
It looks like Congress will not rewrite the No Child Left Behind Act this year, which gives policymakers more time to debate how to reform education policies when federal resources are scarce.

EXCERPT FROM: Early Ed Watch Blog
By Laura Bornfreund
Sometime in the next few weeks, the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services will announce the winners of the Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge competition.  A total of 35 states, DC and the Puerto Rico submitted applications vying for a slice of the $500 million pie, and insiders have predicted that a much smaller number – probably fewer than a dozen – will win.

EXCERPT FROM: NorthJersey.com
By STAFF
The Morris County Department of Human Services is seeking applications from child care centers in the county willing to assist low-income families by participating in a dedicated voucher program.

EXCERPT FROM: Huff Post-Education
By Staff
The U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services announced today that 35 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico have submitted applications for the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge.

EXCERPT FROM: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By Nancy Badertscher
GEORGIA — Georgia officials are hoping for a $70 million federal cash prize aimed at improving school readiness for the state’s 825,000 youngest children, especially the 54 percent identified as low income.

EXCERPT FROM: The Columbus Dispatch
By Catherine Candisky
Ohio could get as much as $70 million in federal money to help better prepare youngsters for kindergarten.

EXCERPT FROM: UPI.com
By STAFF
ATLANTA, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Health officials will test ways primary care and public health facilities can help reduce U.S. child obesity, officials say.