Early Learning Institute 2026

This free one-day session will be open to teachers, specialists, and administrators responsible for designing programs for students along the P-3 Continuum. Session topics will support educators in creating a learning environment that reflects developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate practices and instruction. The event will include literacy, the Portrait of a Graduate, and other early learning topics.

Space will be limited at this free event. Organizations may register up to two participants. Please note that parking, meals, and travel must be paid for by those attending. Due to the limited number of tickets available, please only register if you plan on attending.

Tickets are non-transferable - a waitlist will be available. If you will not be attending, please email OEL directly ([email protected]) with the subject line: CANCELLATION - EARLY LEARNING INSTITUTE. Please note that you are not able to transfer or send your ticket to another participant. OEL will reach out to people as spots become available.

CTLE credit is available for attending the workshops and keynote sessions.

PARKING: The Early Learning Institute 2026 will be held in the Huxley Theater within the Cultural Education Center. The address for the event is 222 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY 12230.

It is strongly recommended that participants park in the Visitor’s Parking (V-Lot P3) which is located beneath the Empire State Plaza and accessed through I-787 Empire State Plaza exit.

Please note: Entering “The Egg” or “Empire State Plaza”, which are both connected to the NYS Museum, into GPS, Google Maps or other mapping systems will not bring you to the parking area for the event.

If using GPS or Google maps to reach the parking area, please use the following information:

Address: Empire State Plaza Parking P3, S Mall Arterial, Albany, NY 12210 or

GPS Coordinates: N 42.650674, W 73.760061

Follow signs to the Visitor Parking (V-Lot P3). Get a parking ticket at the booth. Take the elevators up to the concourse and follow signs to the NYS Museum. Upon leaving, take the elevators from the concourse to P3 and use the ticket to pay for parking at the kiosk next to the elevators. ($10 payable by credit card only). Be sure to get a receipt/ticket as it will be required to exit the parking area.

Additional Parking:

There are also limited parking areas next to the NYS Museum on Madison Ave (Cathedral Lot and Madison Visitor Parking) in addition to the indoor parking mentioned above. Parking is $10 a day (credit card only) in all lots. Metered parking on the street is also available. You can pay at the meters or download the Albany Park App to your mobile phone ahead of time.

Any questions about the event can be sent to the Office of Early Learning at [email protected].

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Host or Publisher NYSED Office of Early Learning & The NYS Council on Children and Families