Who We Are

PennAEYC is an affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and is a dynamic membership organization of early childhood care and education professionals.

Our mission is to be an effective voice for high-quality early childhood care and education. We do this through policy development, advocacy and professional development and supports for early childhood professionals.

PennAEYC's vision is that each and every Pennsylvania family will have access to high-quality, affordable early childhood care and education opportunities for their children provided by a profession that is valued, well compensated and supported.

Sign Up for PennAEYC News

Would you like to stay informed on PennAEYC happenings? Sign up for our e-news using this QR code and you will be added to our e-mail list and stay informed. 

Take Action  to Protect Head Start!

We need your voice right now. The Trump Administration is proposing a rollback of the quality, health and safety standards for Head Start and Early Head Start, the very regulations that make these programs a proven, bipartisan success as a national model of excellence. We know that strong performance standards improve outcomes. Weakening them would eliminate critical mental health supports for children and families and remove requirements for prenatal and postpartum services that are vital for our youngest Pennsylvanians.

Here is why this matters: These standards are not just bureaucratic requirements. They are the foundation of a comprehensive approach that helps low-income families stabilize and our youngest learners thrive. Rolling them back puts decades of progress at risk and diminishes a program that families across our state depend on every day.

Take Action Here
It takes just two minutes to make a difference. We have drafted a letter for you to send to your state and federal legislators urging them to stand up for these essential standards. You can send the email exactly as is or personalize it and share why Head Start matters to you. Let’s ensure that every baby, toddler, and preschooler in Pennsylvania continues to receive the high-quality, comprehensive support they deserve. Please share this alert with your family, friends, and co-workers and ask them to act today!

group around pennaeyc table at 2023 awards ceremony
  • About Us

    We are an affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and a dynamic membership organization of early care and education professionals.

  • Membership

    A professional membership with PennAEYC is the best way to stay connected to the latest information, action and research about early care and education.

  • Our Work

    We are steadfast in the vision that every child in Pennsylvania has the equal opportunity to be a successful, responsible, and productive member of society as a result of their early childhood experiences.

  • Policy & Advocacy

    Become an informed and educated advocate, your voice matters! Learn more about state and federal policies that impact early care and education and what you can do to share your voice.

  • Quality

    Early childhood experiences are critical in the healthy education and development of young children. Learn more about quality early care and education.