National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

What does meaningful professional recognition look like in early childhood education? For Christa, it looks like something deeper: strong and steady investment in child care, fair wages for educators, support for high-quality programs, and real solutions for families. As part of this month’s Year of Reflections theme, Workforce Advocacy & Professional Recognition, Christa reflects on why the future of children, families, and our economy depends on consistent investment in early childhood education. Now, we want to hear your story. Share your reflection before May is over. #NAEYC100 🔗 🩵 : https://lnkd.in/eyWatura

For some, this book will be a mirror. For others, a window. It was written for all of us because we all bring more to the work when we understand where each other has been. This Asian American and Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we're proud to announce No Single Story, a new book from NAEYC where over 30 AANHPI early childhood educators share the stories that made them who they are. Coming this Fall. Swipe to hear from some of the contributors. #AANHPI #NAEYC100 #storytelling

For 100 years, NAEYC has championed young children, families, and educators. Since the launch of Head Start in 1965, our organizations’ histories have been closely connected by a shared vision for equitable, high-quality early learning. NAEYC leaders and members helped support Head Start from its earliest years through work advancing educator preparation, training, and equitable practice. As we celebrate Head Start’s birthday, we also celebrate the educators and staff whose expertise and commitment make its impact possible every day. Children and families thrive when the early childhood workforce is valued and supported. #HeadStart #NAEYC100 #ValueVoiceVote

Early childhood programs play a critical role in helping children and families feel connected, supported, and able to thrive in their communities. Policies around immigration enforcement in “sensitive locations” can influence whether families feel comfortable accessing early childhood programs. When those protections are weakened, it can disrupt children’s access to care, affect program stability, and create additional stress for families and educators alike. 📣 Join us in calling on Congress to protect sensitive locations from immigration enforcement and ensure early childhood settings remain safe, trusted spaces for all children and families. https://bit.ly/4wPxMvJ 📘Learn more in NAEYC’s new brief, which shares what educators across the field are seeing and experiencing as immigration enforcement impacts young children, families, and early educators. https://bit.ly/4wyge71

What happens when we invest in the people who care for young children? Across the country, states are exploring a powerful solution to strengthen the early childhood workforce: helping early educators access affordable childcare for their own families. In a recent article from The 74 Media, NAEYC’s State Policy Director, Diane Girouard, shares how this growing strategy is gaining traction because states are seeing real results in recruiting and retaining early childhood educators. “It’s happening in states big and small; blue, red and purple,” Girouard shared. “States are just seeing that it’s working.” Supporting early childhood educators means building a stronger future for children, families, and communities. Read more at The 74: https://lnkd.in/e4EF7QXG

The U.S. Department of Education is seeking feedback on proposed regulations that could limit access to federal student loans for students pursuing early childhood education degrees. Early childhood educators are essential to children, families, and communities — yet low compensation in the field could unfairly create barriers to higher education pathways for future educators. We must continue advocating for policies that protect equitable access to the profession and advance fair compensation for the early childhood workforce. NAEYC is inviting national and state organizations to join us in a collective sign-on letter to elevate concerns about the impact of this provision on the ECE community and to share recommendations for changes to the draft regulations. https://lnkd.in/e_DG9Wxk Public comments are open through May 20. Stay engaged in the conversation about protecting and sustaining the early childhood workforce. https://lnkd.in/es9PVqHz

100 years of showing up for early childhood. Now it’s your turn to celebrate. 🎉 As part of our centennial year, active, new, and renewing NAEYC members can enter our Centennial Membership Sweepstakes for a chance to win exciting prizes, including conference registration, a book library, NAEYC swag, and more. One lucky grand prize winner will even receive a classroom enhancement package plus a visit from NAEYC CEO [TAG]Michelle Kang. Already a member? Log into your Membership Portal and enter today. Celebrate what came before. Be part of what comes next. #NAEYC100

This week, new federal changes to the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) were announced, affecting how child care programs receive subsidy payments from states. The updates roll back key protections for timely, predictable payments and remove limits on family copays. For early childhood educators and providers, this could mean less stability for programs and fewer options for families who rely on child care assistance. At NAEYC, we believe children, families, and educators deserve a system that expands access to high-quality care, not barriers to it. We are committed to working with policymakers at all levels to ensure their needs and experiences are centered in decisions that impact their work. Read NAEYC’s statement on the 2026 CCDF Final Rule: https://bit.ly/4dsKg3w

This Mother’s Day, NAEYC honors the caregivers and educators who nurture young children every day—at home and in early learning settings. Families rely on early childhood educators to work, grow, and thrive. Yet this essential system is often sustained by underpaid and undervalued educators. Honoring mothers means strengthening the systems that support them—through professional compensation, better resources, and policies that recognize early educators as essential professionals. When we invest in educators, we strengthen families. #ValueVoiceVote #NAEYC100 #MothersDay

DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE to gift a NAEYC membership during Teacher Appreciation Week! This week, our community has come together in an extraordinary way. CAAEYC gifted 100 memberships to ECE professionals. An anonymous donor gifted 100 more. And NAEYC members like you have been paying it forward every single day. Help us close out the week strong and across the finish line. For $72, you can gift a membership to an early childhood educator and invest in their professional journey! Give today; make an impact tomorrow: https://bit.ly/4uAMncq.. #NAEYC100 #TeacherAppreciationWeek #PayItForward