What Are Position Statements and Why Do They Matter? 

• Position statements are one of the key ways our Association provides a foundation to ​support and ​advance the field of early childhood education.  
• They are developed through rigorous research, field feedback, and expert consensus.  
• From guiding practitioner instruction to influencing policy decisions, position statements articulate a collective vision, outline recommendations, and create framework that unites stakeholders—teachers, program leaders, policy makers, and advocates—around shared standards of excellence and equity. 
• These statements are living documents that​ ​​     ​​evolve ​as new insights, ​current ​research, ​practitioner experiences, ​and member and non-member feedback ​     ​​inform NAEYC and the field​. 

Member Engagement and Impact  

• In Fall 2024, NAEYC sought input and advice from early childhood educators, advocates, and allies on the revisions to two of our foundational position statements (the revised "Code of Ethics for Early Childhood Educators" position statement will be released later this year).  More than 1,000 educators took up those invitations by contributing public comments, joining revisions subcommittees, taking surveys, participating in focus groups, and spreading the word about the work.  This process reflects our collaborative approach—Every educator’s voice helps refine what "quality" means in practice, inclusive of all program settings, age bands, and funding streams. 
• Your engagement is how we keep position statements dynamic and relevant. But engaging in position statement development isn't only about further developing and influencing the field; it’s also an opportunity for professional development—learning about policy, research, and effective practices that can enhance your program or teaching methods. This in turn strengthens our workforce and helps early childhood educators be recognized as the professionals we are.  

A Look at the Revisions to the "Early Childhood Program Standards" Position Statement

• Although the standards hadn’t been revised since 2011, feedback from the field indicated that a major overhaul to our Early Childhood Program Standards wasn’t necessary. However, changes were welcome and needed. Therefore, with guidance from the field, we made targeted refinements to keep the statement in line with current research while increasing its accessibility, utility, and alignment with other position statements and NAEYC's Early Learning Program accreditation.  
• In particular, this position statement outlines standards that guide the Early Learning Program Quality Assessment and Accreditation System’s criteria. The updated quality assessment and accreditation items and the revised position statement reinforce one another, ensuring programs meet robust, evidence-based benchmarks. 
• The updated statement reaffirms key principles including developmentally appropriate practice, cultural responsiveness, and high-quality standards for all —tenets that remain foundational to early learning programs operating with excellence and equity. 

Take Action 

• Explore the current Early Childhood Program Standards statement. Consider how you are upholding these standards in your early learning environment. 
• See how these statements align with the streamlined quality assessment and accreditation model.
• If you’re committed to shaping our field’s core principles, watch for future calls for input or working group participation—your insights and your voice matter for children, families, and the field.