The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.

The association comprises nearly 60,000 individual members of the early childhood community and 52 regional Affiliate chapters, all committed to delivering on the promise of high-quality early learning. Together, we work to achieve a collective vision: that all young children thrive and learn in a society dedicated to ensuring they reach their full potential.

Leadership and Professional Development

NAEYC is the foremost professional association for the early childhood field. Our professional development and preparation systems support seamless progression for early child care and education professionals to advance their education and careers.

Early Childhood Accreditation

NAEYC accreditation is the gold standard for early childhood programs across the country. Families of young children who attend NAEYC-accredited programs can be confident that they deliver the highest quality early care and education.

Higher Education Accreditation

High-quality early educators serve a vital role in ensuring all young children have equitable access to developmentally appropriate, high-quality early learning. NAEYC promotes a shared vision of excellence in the preparation of early childhood professionals through accreditation and other initiatives that are responsive to the needs of individual children and communities. NAEYC's higher education accreditation and recognition systems provide an objective external evaluation of programs preparing early childhood professionals.

Resources

NAEYC members rely on the vast resources that the association produces, including an award-winning journal and magazine, a library of bestselling books and publications, as well as digital media. Developed by experts and thought leaders in the early childhood field, these publications focus on developmentally appropriate practice and enable members to stay up-to-date on current research and emerging trends, which they can apply directly to their classroom practice.

Public Policy

NAEYC is at the forefront in influencing local, state, and federal early childhood legislation, advocating for policies that reflect comprehensive approaches to providing equitable access to high-quality early learning, with a particular focus on children living in poverty, multilingual children, children of color, and children with disabilities. We strive to increase the public understanding of and demand for developmentally appropriate practice in programs serving children birth through age 8.

Events

NAEYC hosts three of the most important and well-attended annual events for educators, administrators, and advocates in the early learning community: NAEYC's Annual Conference, the Professional Learning Institute, and the NAEYC Public Policy Forum. Professionals in the field rely on these events to keep their practice current, hear from national experts, communicate with legislators, build a network of trusted colleagues, and stay connected to critical conversations in the profession.

Not an NAEYC member and interested in joining the largest and most important early childhood education association? Visit our Membership Page to join us now!

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