5 Professional Early Childhood Education Associations

Professional Early Childhood Education Associations

• National Association for the Education of Young Children
• Association for Childhood Education International
• National Head Start Association
• Council for Exceptional Children
• National Association for Family Child Care

If you want to share your passion for early childhood education, these professional early childhood education associations can help. These organizations can help you find volunteer opportunities in the field and discounts on conferences. Other than offering networking opportunities, they can also help you stay current on the latest developments in the industry. Ultimately, becoming involved in these associations can help you further your career goals.

1. National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

Started in 1926, the NAEYC has grown to become the largest association of its kind in the world. It includes more than 80,000 members from around the world. Members of the NAEYC get a special 20 percent discount on conferences, books and resources. It is designed for educators who work with children up to eight years old. In addition, the NAEYC offers a national accreditation system for early childhood programs through national and local affiliates.

2. Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI)

This international association is designed to encourage the education of all children. It works with children from birth to their teenage years. Through the organization, educators can get the support and professional resources that they need. The ACEI provides the latest information about best practices in early childhood education. There are also grants, awards and scholarships to help educators learn more about the field.

3. National Head Start Association (NHSA)

This is one of the professional early childhood education associations that is devoted specifically to Head Start children. The NHSA is designed to support the Head Start community through training and professional development. It performs research, releases the latest information and provides resources for educators. The underlying goal of the NHSA is to strengthen Head Start services through training and advocating for specific policy changes.

4. Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)

If you work with gifted children, this is the right organization for you. The Council for Exceptional Children is the largest international association for this purpose. It includes more than 30,000 members and offers professional development opportunities. Members of the organization receive CEC publications and can take part in 17 special interest divisions. In addition, the CEC offers leadership positions as well as extensive networking opportunities.

5. National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)

The goal of the NAFCC is to strengthen the profession of family child care. They offer technical support through leadership development and educational programs. According to researchers, early childhood education is important for future success in school and life. Family child care homes are given the resources they need to offer high-quality programs for toddlers, school age children and infants. These programs are essential for giving communities and families the tools they need for the best early learning opportunities.

There are many resources and learning opportunities for early childhood educators. From offering scholarships for continued learning to providing the latest research, these organizations can help educators take the next step in their career. More importantly, the professional early childhood education associations offer resources that help each student reach their full potential.

Related Resource: The 20 Best Online Bachelors in Early Childhood Education