Centennial Press Kit
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As NAEYC marks its 100th anniversary in 2026, this press kit offers journalists, policymakers, and advocates a comprehensive look at both the organization’s century of achievement and the urgent challenges that still face the early childhood education (ECE) field today. Below, you will find NAEYC’s centennial press release, a data-driven fact sheet on the state of early childhood education in America, a historical overview of NAEYC’s milestones and impact, and information on NAEYC’s leading experts.
For interview requests or additional information, contact Will Bohlen, [email protected]
Press Release
This press release announces NAEYC’s 100th anniversary and outlines the organization’s history, scale, and vision for the future. It also previews some of NAEYC’s centennial plans and events for 2026.
ECE Fact Sheet
This fact sheet presents a snapshot of the early childhood education field as NAEYC enters its second century, and the picture is one of serious strain on ECE systems. Despite clear evidence that high-quality early learning transforms outcomes for children, families, and communities, data drawn from numerous federal, state, academic, and non-profit sources shows that the workforce remains underpaid, supply falls short of demand, and costs have pushed child care out of reach for millions of families.
NAEYC @ 100 Fact Sheet
This fact sheet traces NAEYC’s founding and growth from a 1926 gathering of 25 researchers and educators to its current standing as the nation’s largest ECE association. Key milestones, from publishing the field’s first professional standards in 1929 to convening the Power to the Profession initiative in 2017, have defined NAEYC’s role in building the infrastructure, ethics, and professional identity of the field as we know it today. It demonstrates NAEYC’s enduring commitment to children, families, and educators.
NAEYC Experts
The following NAEYC leaders and experts are available to speak with media on NAEYC’s centennial as well as the issues that are affecting educators, children, and families, including the ECE workforce crisis, developmentally appropriate practice, and the future of the field.
Michelle Kang
Michelle serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), leading a dynamic community of nearly 55,000 members dedicated to advancing high-quality early learning for all children. Her deep business expertise and genuine passion for educational advocacy drive her efforts to support educators, enhance quality standards, influence policy, and elevate the early childhood education profession.
Alissa Mwenelupembe
Alissa Mwenelupembe has worked in early childhood education for the past 20 years and has a long history with NAEYC as a member, volunteer, author and past student governing board member. That engagement took on another level when she joined NAEYC in December of 2020 as the Senior Director, Early Learning Program Accreditation. Alissa now serves on NAEYC’s Executive Team as Chief Early Learning Quality and Research Officer.
Daniel Hains
Daniel Hains joined NAEYC in 2023, now serving as the Chief Policy and Professional Advancement Officer, where he leads a portfolio that includes federal and state policy and advocacy, higher education accreditation, and professional recognition. In partnership with his team, and with NAEYC’s members and affiliates, Daniel works to implement NAEYC’s non-partisan early childhood policy agenda while centering the voices and needs of early childhood educators across all 50 states and multiple settings.