Shine Early Learning

On May 25, we honor the brave individuals who served our country. We remember their courage and sacrifice, and hold their families and loved ones in our thoughts as they carry forward a legacy of strength and resilience.

🎉On May 18, Head Start turns 61 🎉

Happy Birthday, Head Start 💙 We’re grateful to work alongside so many incredible Head Start providers who are making a difference every day. For over six decades, this impactful program has supported early education, health, and family well-being for children and families across the country.

We’re honored to partner with programs across the country to strengthen systems, support educators, and help children and families thrive 💫

Will you be at the 2026 National Shared Services Technical Conference hosted by Opportunities Exchange?

Join us in Minneapolis from May 13-14 as the Shine team connects, learns, and shares alongside early childhood leaders. Stop by Booth #4 in the exhibitor space to connect with Mike Bachman and the team.

Let us know if you’ll be there 🌟

Join Aastha Kathuria, VP of Product, as she co-presents with Daniel Andrews CEO of Playground at the National Head Start Association (NHSA) Annual Conference on May 6, 2026 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. 🎤

This session will explore how Head Start programs can make better use of existing data systems to support decision-making, improve usability, and create a better experience for staff.

We hope you’ll join us and stop by booth 502, we’d love to connect!✨

We’re proud to sponsor the 2026 National Shared Services Technical Conference hosted by Opportunities Exchange Exchange in Minneapolis, MN, May 13-14. ✨

This conference brings together leaders across early childhood to strengthen systems, partnerships, and outcomes for children and families, and that work closely aligns with our mission at Shine Early Learning.

We’ll also have a table in the exhibitor space. Stop by and say hi, we’d love to connect. 💫

Last week, Maria Madrigal, Director of Learning Engagement, wrapped a Leadership Accelerator Training with the Acelero team in Clark County.

This cohort showed up with passion, stepping into difficult conversations, leading with empathy, and making space for honest reflection on how they lead.

The training closed with capstone presentations that reflected meaningful growth, confidence, and intention across the group.

We’re excited to see how this continues to show up in their leadership and the impact ahead. ✨

In February, Michael Bachman, Senior Director of Partnership Development, was in El Paso connecting with providers and gathering insights to support the co-design of training solutions with Workforce Solutions Borderplex.

We love being part of work like this. Listening, learning, and building alongside communities to support early learning professionals in the Sun City. 🌟

Last week at the 2026 IHSA Annual Conference, Shine Early Learning’s Maria Madrigal and Nicole Taxiltaridis led a session on Courageous Communication. 💫

The session focused on supporting leaders as they navigate challenging conversations with staff, families, and colleagues. Participants explored practical communication strategies that balance clarity, empathy, and accountability while maintaining trust and professionalism.

Together, leaders reflected on how to move from reactive conversations to more thoughtful, productive dialogue.

Grateful for the engagement, honest reflection, and meaningful conversations throughout. See you next year at IHSA! 🌟

March 8 marked International Women’s Day, a time to celebrate the women who lead, teach, support, and inspire our communities every day.

From educators and leaders to the mothers, aunts, grandmothers, and caregivers who partner with us, your strength, dedication, and care make a lasting impact.

Today and every day, we celebrate you. 💜

We’re excited to partner with BridgeCare to launch Program Assurance, a new fraud monitoring and mitigation solution designed to protect and strengthen publicly funded early care and education programs.

By combining proven data infrastructure with deep early childhood policy and implementation expertise, Program Assurance helps programs improve oversight, increase transparency, and strengthen program integrity for state agencies.

Learn more here: https://shineearly.com/2026/03/03/shine-early-learning-bridgecare-program-assurance-partnership/

Stay tuned, we’ll be sharing more details tomorrow on our upcoming co-hosted Program Assurance webinar with BridgeCare. 💫