Dcaeyc

09/30/2026

What are early childhood education professionals saying about the regulations that impact their work? NAEYC's new survey, Coherence, Not Cuts: Educator Perspectives on How to Improve ECE Regulation, brings together perspectives from professionals across the country on staff-to-child ratios, regulatory requirements, system coordination, and investment in the early childhood education field.

Among the findings, 93% of early childhood professionals surveyed said staff-to-child ratios are critical to keeping children safe and supported, and many indicated that weakening these requirements could push them out of the field.

The findings also point to a call for greater coherence across
regulatory systems and meaningful investment in the field, rather than fewer protections.

Read the full findings and hear what early childhood education professionals are saying: https://shorturl.at/mWq2t

09/28/2026

DCAEYC was back at the John A. Wilson Building, continuing our advocacy for early childhood education in DC. Represented by our Executive Director, Berna Artis, we joined parents, partners, and advocates for DC Action’s Revenue Lobby Day, visiting DC Council offices and bringing the needs of children, families, and early childhood education professionals directly into the conversation.

Earlier this year, we worked alongside our community to protect critical early childhood investments in the FY27 budget. Now, as attention turns toward FY28, the conversation is about how DC can sustain those investments for the years ahead.

Our work does not end with one budget cycle. We will continue to show up, engage, and work alongside our community to strengthen early childhood education across the District.

Read more about our continued advocacy here: https://shorturl.at/4Nme2

09/22/2026

Another opportunity to attend NAEYC 2026 is now available. In addition to the two conference scholarships DCAEYC is offering exclusively to our members, NAEYC is now accepting applications for the Lasting Legacy Scholarship. This scholarship provides full Annual Conference registration to selected early childhood education professionals and future professionals who may otherwise face a financial barrier to attending.

Already a DCAEYC member? Make sure you are exploring every opportunity available to help you participate in this year’s conference. Not a member yet? Join DCAEYC and become part of a professional community connecting early childhood education professionals across DC with learning, advocacy, resources, events, and opportunities throughout the field.

The NAEYC Lasting Legacy Scholarship is a separate opportunity provided directly by NAEYC.

Applications close September 27 at 11:59 pm ET.

> Become a DCAEYC member: https://shorturl.at/6AZup
> Apply for The Lasting Legacy Scholarship: https://shorturl.at/caDqE

09/22/2026

Head Start standards shape far more than what happens in a classroom. In FY 2024, Head Start was funded to serve 715,873 children and pregnant women nationwide. Here in Washington, DC, federally funded enrollment included 424 Head Start Preschool slots and 1,698 Early Head Start slots.

The children and families served by Head Start also reflect a wide range of needs and experiences. National data show that 35% of enrolled children were dual language learners, 15% of cumulative enrollment included children with disabilities, and 96% of children had health insurance by the end of the program year. Approximately 84,000 families also received job training or adult education services.

These services are connected to a federal framework that establishes expectations for areas including screenings, health and mental health services, family engagement, staff qualifications, and services for children with disabilities.

Now, significant changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards have been proposed.

The rule is not final, and the public comment period remains open through October 6, 2026. Early childhood education professionals, families, advocates, and community members still have an opportunity to review what is being proposed and make their voices heard.

Learn more and take action: https://shorturl.at/DSWVl
Read more here: https://shorturl.at/gUglX

09/21/2026

Your DCAEYC membership could take you to the 2026 NAEYC Annual Conference. This year, DCAEYC will select two members to receive scholarships to attend the conference, creating another opportunity for early childhood education professionals in DC to connect, learn, and engage with colleagues from across the country.

If you have been thinking about joining DCAEYC, this is a great time to become part of our professional community. Current members should also make sure their membership is active. Scholarship recipients will be announced on October 16.

Read the full article and access the step-by-step guide. Link in bio or click here: https://shorturl.at/02SqD

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Tu membresía de DCAEYC podría llevarte a la Conferencia Anual de NAEYC 2026. Este año, DCAEYC seleccionará a dos miembros para recibir becas para asistir a la conferencia, creando una nueva oportunidad para que profesionales de la educación infantil en DC puedan aprender, conectarse e intercambiar experiencias con colegas de todo el país.

Si has estado considerando unirte a DCAEYC, este es un excelente momento para formar parte de nuestra comunidad profesional. Si ya eres miembro, asegúrate también de que tu membresía esté activa. Los beneficiarios de las becas se anunciarán el 16 de octubre.

Lee el artículo completo y accede a la guía paso a paso. Enlace en la biografía o haz clic aquí: https://shorturl.at/02SqD

09/16/2026

On September 10, DCAEYC members joined Dr. Neal Horen and Shai Idelson from Georgetown University’s Thrive Center for Children, Families, and Communities for a conversation focused on Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation and the importance of building adult capacity to support young children.

“The child is not the problem. The child is a child, but the way that adults are equipped or ill equipped to respond and process and understand these behaviors is what makes all the difference,” shared Shai Idelson.

Dr. Horen reinforced that consultation is not about treating a child. “It’s about changing how an adult comes to see, think about, and respond to that child.”

The conversation explored professional well-being, classroom environments, workforce retention, access to consultation, and practical ways programs can strengthen the knowledge and skills already present within their teams.

As DCAEYC Executive Director Berna Artis shared, “The more we know, the better we can help children.”

Thank you to Georgetown University, our presenters and DCAEYC members for contributing to a thoughtful discussion about how stronger support for early childhood education professionals can strengthen experiences for children, families, and programs across DC.

Read full article: https://shorturl.at/5lkV1

09/10/2026

DC already knows what’s coming. The The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Annual Conference is coming to Washington, DC this December, and the excitement is already building across the city.

If you have been thinking about joining DCAEYC, consider this your sign. Become a DCAEYC member, connect with our community of early childhood education professionals across the District, and make sure your membership is active so you can access the NAEYC member registration rate for Annual Conference 2026.

And yes, the clock is ticking! Early Bird registration ends September 11 - TOMORROW.

This December, thousands of early childhood education professionals, leaders, advocates, and partners will be gathering right here in DC. We want our DCAEYC community showing up strong.

Join DCAEYC. Register early.

Learn more and register: https://shorturl.at/7xRGD


Video contains AI integration

09/09/2026

Tomorrow is the day! DCAEYC members are invited to join Dr. Neal Horen and Shai Idelson of Georgetown University’s Thrive Center for Children, Families, and Communities for a conversation on strengthening adult capacity to respond to challenging behavior in early childhood settings.

Registration closes tomorrow at 10:00 AM ET.

September 10, 2026
1:30 PM to 2:30 PM ET
Virtual via Zoom
DCAEYC Members Only

Register now: https://shorturl.at/vFYYx

09/03/2026

Meet Shai Idelson, one of the featured speakers joining DCAEYC members for our September 10 conversation with Georgetown University.

Shai is a healthcare and technology entrepreneur who co-leads the Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation and serves as Innovation Director at Georgetown University’s Thrive Center for Children, Families, and Communities.

His experience brings together behavioral health, innovation, and systems change. Before joining Georgetown, he built and launched Fort Health, a pediatric mental health company designed to integrate behavioral health into primary care. His earlier work also included developing new products and services with major companies, including work focused on teen mental health.

On September 10, Shai will join Dr. Neal Horen for a discussion on how strengthening adult capacity can help early childhood education professionals respond to challenging behavior and better support young children.

September 10, 2026
1:30 PM to 2:30 PM ET
Virtual via Zoom
DCAEYC Members Only

Register today! Link in bio or click here: https://shorturl.at/vFYYx

09/01/2026