Delaware names new early childhood learning director

Longtime Delaware educator and administrator Kimberly Krzanowski has been selected to head the state’s Office of Early Learning, Gov. John Carney’s office announced today.

Krzanowski, currently the instructional director and Education Department chair at Delaware Technical Community College, also has worked as an early childhood teacher and center administrator. She joins the state Department of Education on April 3 and will be paid $114,300.

“We must ensure all children get to kindergarten ready to learn. Kim is the right leader to help us do this,” Carney said in a news release. “Kim will help our state build stronger connections between early learning and our K-12 schools.”

Beyond serving on several boards and committees dedicated to improving early learning, at DelTech she helped develop partnerships between school districts and early learning agencies. 

In her new post, Krzanowski also will maintain support for Delaware Stars, the state’s quality rating system for early childhood centers. She will also oversee the state’s efforts to provide children and families with the early intervention and coaching needed to prepare the boys and girls for school.

Susan Bunting, Delaware’s education secretary, said “Kim has dedicated her career to advocating for our youngest learners, ensuring they receive access to high quality care and education.”

Krzanowski succeeds Susan Perry-Manning, who left in October to become executive director of the Early Care and Education Consortium in Washington, D.C.