Early childhood educators understand better than anyone the gap between what this work requires and what it pays. You live this reality every day, which makes your voice one of the most important in the conversation about educator compensation.
Make Your Voice Heard
Early educators are constituents, advocates, and trusted professionals in their communities. Candidates and elected officials need to understand the realities facing the workforce and the families who depend on it.
You don’t need to be a policy expert to participate. Honest stories about the realities of the profession are powerful.
Engaging Candidates This Summer
Summer creates opportunities for educators to engage before election conversations reach peak intensity and positions become more firmly defined. Across conferences, affiliate gatherings, town halls, and community events, educators can help ensure early childhood workforce issues remain part of the public conversation.
Use these tools and resources to help you engage candidates and policymakers on early childhood compensation and workforce issues.
Building Relationships with Candidates for Elected Office at the Local, State, and Federal Levels
Guide to Hosting a Nonpartisan Candidate Forum: Includes planning guidance, FAQs, scenarios and solutions, sample forum questions, and more!
August Recess
Every August, Congress and many state legislatures take a scheduled break, and policymakers often return home to their local communities, making it easier to meet with them in person.
This period—often called “August recess”—can be one of the best times of the year to meet with lawmakers, attend town halls, or invite elected officials to visit early learning programs. Our August Recess Toolkit can help you get started with ideas, planning tips, and outreach resources.
This can be one of the best times of year to:
- Request a meeting with a legislator
- Attend a town hall or community event
- Invite elected officials to visit early learning programs
- Share directly how workforce issues affect educators and families
Nonpartisan Civic Engagement
Civic engagement does not mean picking sides. Every part of this campaign is nonpartisan and focused on participation, education, and empowerment—not political parties or candidates. We need all policymakers to understand the issues impacting early education and the families who depend on it.
Learn About Candidates and Elections
Getting ready to vote starts with understanding who is running for office and where candidates stand on important issues that affect early childhood educators, children, and families. Learning more about candidates and the election process will prepare you to make informed decisions before casting your ballot.
You can:
- Learn who is running for local, state, and federal office
- Attend candidate forums, town halls, and community events
- Review candidates’ websites, public statements, and policy priorities
- Prepare questions about child care, educator compensation, and workforce supports
- Learn about voting rules, deadlines, and what will appear on your ballot
Find Out What’s on Your Ballot
Register and Prepare to Vote
Early educators advocate for children and families every day. Voting is another way to advocate for the future of the profession.
This summer, we're helping educators register, stay informed, and show up—because decisions about educator compensation and workforce policies are made by elected officials, and elected officials answer to voters.
Check Your Registration | Find Your State’s Voting Rules and Deadlines
One voice can start a conversation. Many voices make it impossible to ignore. If you or your colleagues aren't yet part of NAEYC, this is the moment to join because our combined voice is louder together.
All Value. Voice. Vote. civic engagement content is nonpartisan and 501(c)(3) compliant. NAEYC does not endorse candidates or political parties.