Early childhood educators do some of the most important work in our communities. Yet despite the skill and expertise the work requires, early childhood educators remain among the most underpaid professionals in the country.
Early childhood education programs play an important role in teacher preparation, “serving as field sites where emerging professionals can develop their knowledge, skills, and dispositions under the mentorship of experienced early childhood educators."
NAEYC promotes high-quality early learning for all children, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.
In the Summer of 2025, Congress passed H.R. 1 - or “the One Big Beautiful Bill” or the Reconciliation legislation - which included a number of changes to Title IV of the Higher Education Act.
As NAEYC celebrates 100 years of promoting high-quality early learning, we acknowledge that its mission has been shaped by many notable figures in the field.
Authored by
Authored by:
Mary E. Lyons, Tanya Espinosa Cordoba, Stephanie C. Sanders-Smith, Michaelene M. Ostrosky
Barbara T. Bowman’s contributions to early childhood education over the course of seven decades have been felt at every level, including teacher education, professional development, public policy, and research.
NAEYC promotes high-quality early learning for all children, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.
Explore the Annual Conference Learning Lab Collection, featuring 10 of the most in-demand sessions from the 2025 Annual Conference, now available online.
Explore the Annual Conference Learning Lab Collection, featuring 10 of the most in-demand sessions from the 2025 Annual Conference, now available online.
What is the relationship between the type and amount of professional support accessed by ECE educators and their self-reported intentions about staying or leaving the ECE field?
Authored by
Authored by:
NAEYC’s Applied Research and Policy and Professional Advancement Teams
At NAEYC, we believe that high-quality early learning takes place in settings that are developmentally appropriate and that holistically consider all of the facets of a program.
In this article, my coauthors, who took my early education management and leadership course in 2023, share their experiences teaching to and learning from their peers as a part of their final presentation assignments.
Share your insights and expertise in early childhood education by becoming a subject matter expert (SME) for NAEYC, and help shape the future of professional development and training for educators.
Teaching Young Children is NAEYC's magazine for anyone who works with preschoolers. Colorful, informative, and easy-to-read, TYC is packed full of teaching ideas, strategies, and tips.
