DECAL Download
Your source for news and information from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. You will hear from Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs and special guests to give you an update on all things DECAL. Have a question, comment, or suggestion? Call 404-656-0239 or email us at decaldownload@decal.ga.gov.
Episodes
429 episodes
Episode 6 - DECAL Roadshows
In October, DECAL is hitting the road. In partnership with Child Trends, we will host four regional DECAL Road Shows to bring agency updates, professional learning, resources, and DECAL staff directly to child care providers across Georgia. Eac...
Episode 5 - Georgia's Pre-K Week 2026
Each year, Georgia’s Pre-K Week gives state leaders, local officials, community partners, and families a chance to step inside Pre-K classrooms and see firsthand what quality early learning looks like. This year's observance is October 5-9, 202...
Episode 4 Potty Training
Potty training is one of those big early childhood milestones that can bring excitement, questions, and sometimes a little stress for families and caregivers. Every child develops at their own pace, and success often depends less on a child’s a...
Episode 3 - Quality Rated Family Support Call Center
Finding high quality child care is one of the most important decisions a family can make—and sometimes, one of the most overwhelming. That’s why DECAL created the Quality Rated Family Support Call Center, operating through the toll-free 1-877-A...
Episode 2 - Child Passenger Safety
Keeping children safe on Georgia roads starts long before the car is in motion. For parents, grandparents, child care providers, and anyone transporting young children, choosing the right car seat or booster seat and using it correctly every ti...
Episode 1 - GaPDS Substitute Registery
Finding qualified substitute teachers can be one of the biggest challenges for childcare providers. When a teacher is out, programs still need to maintain safe, consistent, high-quality care for children—and that means having access to trained,...
Episode 49 - New GELDS
In June 2013 DECAL officially launched the Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards, or GELDS, replacing the Georgia Early Learning Standards for children birth to 3 and the Georgia Pre-K Content Standards for four-year-olds. Now,...
Episode 48 - Governor’s Office of Education & Workforce Strategy
Today we’re talking about a major step forward in how Georgia connects education, workforce development, and long-term economic opportunity. Effective July 1, 2026, the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement officially became the Governor’s O...
Episode 47 - Georgia Public Library Service
This week we’re focused on the Georgia Public Library Service where a transition in taking place. After more than a decade of service, Julie Walker has retired and Angela Stanley has been appointed to succeed her as State Librarian and Vice Cha...
Episode 46 - DECAL FAST
This week we’re talking about an exciting new resource from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning: DECAL FAST, which stands for Family Access to Services & Tools. For families looking for high-quality child care or early educati...
Episode 45 - Preparing for Pre-K + We Care Childcare Sweepstakes
Across Georgia, a new school year is beginning, and that means thousands of four-year-olds are walking into Georgia’s Pre-K classrooms for the very first time. For many children and families, Pre-K is a first school experience, a chance to buil...
Episode 44 - Small Wonders
The early years of birth to five are a time of rapid growth in a child’s body, brain, and social-emotional development, and they can shape lifelong health and learning. Today, we’ll explore what parents, caregivers, and early childhood professi...
Episode 43 - Georgia's 2Gen Leadership Academy
This week our focus is on Georgia’s 2Gen Leadership Academy…a first-of-its-kind, cross-agency program that brings together leaders from state government and nonprofits. Their goal is to help families thrive by supporting both children and the a...
Episode 42 - Meet the CCR&Rs
This week we’re highlighting an important partnership that helps support the quality of child care in Georgia and strengthens the professionals who provide this care every day: our work with Child Care Resource and Referral agencies, or CCR&...
Episode 41 - Judge Glenda Hatchett
Her name may strike fear in the hearts of litigants across the nation and around the world, but now TV’s Judge Hatchett has published a new book encouraging children ages 3-8 to dream boldly, build confidence, and see themselves as leaders, cre...
Episode 40 - STP & Alliance Theater
This week we’re talking about the transformative power of arts education for young learners. All across Georgia, DECAL partners with the Alliance Theater in a program bringing drama, music, puppetry, and dance to enhance language, literacy, and...
Episode 39 - Commissioner Jacobs on Georgia Focus
Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs is the guest on this episode of Georgia Focus with John Clark, heard on more than 170 radio stations statewide on the Georgia News Network.
Episode 38 - Meet the Interns
On this week’s episode we’re joined by a remarkable group of college interns who have spent the semester working with us. Throughout their time here, they’ve contributed their talents, learned new skills, and become a valued part of the DECAL t...
Episode 37 - Meet the 2025-2026 Georgia Early Childhood Educators
This week’s episode spotlights our Georgia's Early Childhood Educators of the Year. On Friday, April 24, these inspiring teachers were honored along with our Georgia’s Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year at a luncheon hosted by the Metro Atlanta...
Episode 36 - 2026 Legislative Review
On this week’s episode we are reviewing legislative developments from the 2026 Georgia General Assembly and their effects on DECAL and early childcare and education across the state. With new laws and policies shaping the future of Georgia's yo...
Episode 35 - Quality Rated Myth Busters
This week’s episode is all about “Quality Rated Myth Busters,” where we'll bust some common misconceptions and shine a light on how Georgia’s Quality Rated system really works. If you’ve ever wondered how early care and education programs are a...
Episode 34 - CCS Resource Suite
Today, we’re looking at Child Care Services and some new resources they’ve created to make compliance easier and more approachable for early childhood programs. Through a new Resource Suite, CCS has taken comprehensive guidance documents and br...
Episode 33 - NIEER State of Preschool Yearbook
This week’s episode is dedicated to a truly historic moment: On April 22, Governor Brian Kemp announced that Georgia’s Pre-K Program has met all 10 of 10 quality benchmarks established by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIE...
Episode 32 - CCS Lunch & Learn
Our Child Care Services Division is inviting all providers to a special Lunch and Learn, happening on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at noon. They’re looking specifically at required reports…which can be confusing. Sometimes providers are submitt...
Episode 31 - Look Again
Each year, DECAL’s Look Again campaign serves as a crucial reminder for parents, caregivers, and educators about the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles. We're proud to highlight the collaborative efforts with the Governor’s Offi...