On February 7, 2026, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service hosted the Multi-County Child Care Conference at the Randolph Recreation Center in La Grange, welcoming 173 childcare providers and directors from more than 18 cities and towns across the region.
The conference was coordinated by Extension offices in Austin, Fayette, and Wharton Counties and guided by a dedicated Child Care Advisory Committee. The event focused on strengthening early childhood programs by equipping childcare professionals with practical strategies, current research, and professional tools to enhance the quality of care they provide every day.
Collectively, participants serve more than 2,415 children enrolled in 51 licensed childcare centers and family day homes — a reach that underscores the broad community impact of the training.
Why Continuing Education Matters
Continuing education is not just a requirement for childcare licensing — it is essential to ensuring children receive safe, developmentally appropriate, and high-quality care.
Early childhood is one of the most critical periods of brain development. Ongoing professional training helps providers stay current on:
- Updated health and safety standards
- Child development research
- Nutrition and special needs accommodations
- Behavior guidance and social-emotional development
- Effective communication with families
State regulations require childcare providers to complete annual training hours, but conferences like this go beyond checking a box. They provide hands-on tools, expert insight, and practical strategies that can be immediately implemented in classrooms and childcare homes.
For families, that means children benefit from caregivers who are continually learning, improving, and refining their skills. For providers, it builds confidence, leadership, and professionalism in an industry that plays a foundational role in shaping young lives.
A Day of Practical Learning and Professional Growth
Attendees participated in a full schedule of educational sessions led by Extension specialists, university faculty, and early childhood experts. Topics included:
- “Best Practices for Feeding Young Children with Special Needs” – Jenna Anding, PhD, LD, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Professor & Specialist
- “Building Resilience to Bust Stress – We Can Bounce Back Stronger” – Lakshmi Mahadevan, PhD, CPN, Texas A&M AgriLife Mental Health & Well-Being Specialist
- “Bloom & Grow: Nature Play for Early Learners” – Sally Garrett, MS; Lori Garcia, BS; and Michelle Wright, MS, County Extension Agents
- “Growing Little Communicators” – Karen Vinsen, MS CCC-SLP, and Maryteresa Tracy, MS ED, Region 13 Education Service Center Educational Specialists
- “Following Their Lead: Finding the Math in Play, Talk and Curiosity” – Angelica Lopez, MS ECE, Region 13 Education Service Center Educational Specialist
- “Staff Management” – Ronnie McDonald, County Extension Agent, Prairie View A&M University
- “Play to Learn: Sprout & Shout” – Anna Raunmaker, MS, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Project Specialist
By the end of the conference, childcare professionals had completed a total of 1,211 clock hours of continuing education, with each participant earning seven hours toward state-mandated training requirements.
Organizers reported strong participation and positive feedback from attendees, with many praising the relevance and practical application of the sessions. Planning committee members say they look forward to expanding the conference’s reach in future years to support even more childcare providers across the region.