WAEYC (2026)

27/04/2026

We’re proud to introduce the leaders helping guide our work at WAEYC 💛

Our Governing Board is made up of educators, advocates, and community members who bring lived experience, cultural wisdom, and a deep commitment to equity in early learning. Their leadership helps ensure our work stays rooted in justice, community voice, and the belief that every child, family, and educator deserves to thrive.

This year, we’re excited to welcome new board members who are stepping into this work with vision and courage. We also want to honor and thank our returning board members, your continued dedication, time, and care make this movement possible. WAEYC would not be who we are without each of you.

Our board reflects the communities we serve and continues to push for systems that are more inclusive, anti-racist, and responsive to those most impacted by inequities.

✨ We invite you to learn more about the incredible individuals shaping this work:
https://waeyc.org/about-us/governing-board/

Take a moment to explore, connect, and celebrate the people behind the movement.

24/04/2026

🌟 Happy Administrative Professionals Day to our amazing Organization Manager, Amanda! 🌟

At WAEYC, we talk a lot about the people who show up every day for young children and families - but today we want to shine a light on someone who shows up for us.

Amanda keeps WAEYC running with warmth, precision, and an unmatched dedication to our mission. Whether it’s coordinating events, supporting our members, or holding the details together so the rest of us can do our best work - Amanda does it all, and she does it beautifully.

The early childhood field is stronger because of people like you, Amanda. Thank you for being the heart of our operations. We are so grateful. 💛

14/04/2026

April 14: Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Day

In our Anti-Bias, Anti-Racist (ABAR) work, remembrance is not separate from education it is essential to it.

Today we honor the six million Jewish people and the millions of Roma and Sinti people, children, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, political dissidents, and others who were persecuted.

In early learning spaces, we approach this day in developmentally appropriate ways through conversations about identity, fairness, courage, and the responsibility to stand up for others when something is unjust.

ABAR teaching reminds us that:
• Bias, when left unchallenged, can grow into injustice.
• Silence in the face of harm allows harm to continue.
• Every child deserves to see their identity valued and protected.

Classroom Connections (Early Learning Appropriate)
• Read stories that center belonging, identity, and moral courage.
• Teach the concept of people who help and protect others.
• Invite children to share what makes their families unique and special.
• Co-create classroom agreements about kindness, fairness, and inclusion.

🎨 Activity Idea
Create an “Upstander Wall” where children draw or dictate ways they can include someone new, help a friend, or speak up when something feels unfair.

In early childhood education, remembering is a commitment:
A commitment to truth.
A commitment to justice.
A commitment to raising children who recognize bias — and choose courage instead.

13/04/2026

Early childhood education is one of the most important - and most underfunded - fields in Washington State. The professionals who show up every day for our youngest learners deserve a strong community behind them.

That’s exactly what WAEYC offers. As the Washington affiliate of NAEYC, we connect over 1,600 ECE professionals across the state with professional development, advocacy, peer support, and resources that actually move the needle for children and families.

For just $72/year, you get WAEYC + NAEYC membership - access to trainings, conferences, publications, and a network of people who get it. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, director, family childcare provider, or advocate, there’s a place for you here. Join us at waeyc.org 🌱

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

02/04/2026

Register NOW: Join WAEYC for a virtual training on Facilitating Child Led Free Play presented by Erin Majeske.

April 26th from 6:30-8:30pm

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/waeyc-virtual-training-facilitating-child-led-free-play-for-young-children-tickets-1986575795682?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

Remember all WAEYC members get FREE access to virtual trainings. Interested in learning more about becoming a WAEYC member? We have multiple tiered options for memberships including a $35 PD membership.

Learn more about WAEYC memberships: https://waeyc.org/about-us/membership/

01/04/2026

Today we celebrated the close of an incredible chapter.

Our Public Policy Fellow, Raishawn Swensen, alongside our Board President, Jamileh Almasound, marked the end of a powerful 20-month journey. We are beyond grateful to have had Raishawn with us during this time.

Raishawn has been a force, bringing our community together through advocacy and policy, sharing her knowledge, and building relationships that will last far beyond this fellowship. Through a whirlwind of change, she stepped in with openness, courage, and heart.

At the start, Raishawn shared she didn’t know what to expect. Today, she reflects on just how much she has grown, feeling like a completely different person, shaped by every moment along the way. The good, the hard, and everything in between. She wouldn’t change a thing.

She looks ahead with excitement, wondering where she’ll be in five years, and carries with her the deep impact of WAEYC on her journey. And the best part? This isn’t goodbye. Raishawn will always be part of the WAEYC family.

We are committed to continuing the work she helped build—growing the foundation she strengthened with so much care and intention.

Thank you, Raishawn. Thank you, Pathwaves. Here’s to a journey that has truly changed us for the better ❤️

30/03/2026

There is still time to register to join us for our virtual training series on Curriculum Development and Assessment Training.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/waeyc-virtual-training-curriculum-development-and-assessment-training-tickets-1984095475979?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

Registration will give you access to all four trainings. Each two hour training is eligible for STARS credit. If you attend all four trainings you are eligible for certificates of completion on Curriculum Development and Assessment Training.

Questions? email [email protected]

25/03/2026

Únase esta noche a la Comunidad Hispana de WAEYC para una sesión de capacitación virtual:

“Comprendiendo las conductas desafiantes desde una perspectiva informada sobre el trauma”

En muchas aulas de educación infantil, nos encontramos con niños que manifiestan conductas difíciles —rabietas intensas, agresividad, falta de atención o dificultades para interactuar con los demás— y que aún no cuentan con un diagnóstico formal. En esta capacitación, exploraremos cómo comprender estas conductas desde una perspectiva informada sobre el trauma. Los participantes aprenderán a ver la conducta como una forma de comunicación y a aplicar estrategias prácticas que ayuden a los niños a sentirse seguros, a regular sus emociones y a lograr un mayor éxito en el aula.

Teniel Sabin es la fundadora y directora ejecutiva de Crece Conmigo, una organización comunitaria con sede en el sur del condado de King que trabaja junto a familias latinas e inmigrantes para fortalecer el bienestar emocional de los cuidadores y el desarrollo temprano de los niños. Posee una maestría en Educación y ha completado cinco años de estudios doctorales en Liderazgo Educativo y Aprendizaje de Adultos; además, cuenta con más de 25 años de experiencia colaborando con padres, educadores y comunidades en temas relacionados con el desarrollo infantil, la conducta y el bienestar familiar. Teniel ha estudiado intervenciones conductuales y el Análisis de Conducta Aplicado (ABA), y anteriormente trabajó como consultora de salud mental en la primera infancia, brindando apoyo a proveedores de cuidado infantil. También aporta su experiencia personal como madre de un niño con autismo y TDAH, lo cual refuerza su enfoque práctico, empático y culturalmente pertinente al trabajar con educadores y familias.

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/D6dy-PyUQTCS3Ayyj3QQhA

19/03/2026

Please help us spread the word!!!

Our parent education and cooperative preschools are in DANGER!

Join for a letter writing party Saturday March 28th at the Tacoma or Lacey Library.

Help protect them by adding your name to this petition. Have questions or want to get involved? Reach out to [email protected]

18/03/2026

Start spring with savings AND community! 🌱

New members can get 25% off a NAEYC membership this March using code SPRING26. When you join, be sure to select WAEYC as your affiliate to stay connected to Washington's early childhood community and professional development opportunities.

🔗 naeyc.org/join
📌 Code: SPRING26

16/03/2026

WA Community College PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAMS NEED YOUR HELP!

Multiple parent education programs in the state are under threat. As a result of recent changes to the Allocation Model for funding State Community and Technical Colleges, parent education classes and any associated cooperative preschool lab schools will no longer receive direct funding from the State. As a result, Bellevue College’s 60 year long program was notified that it is scheduled to close its program June 2026, impacting 550 families. Shoreline, Walla Walla and Whatcom Colleges are also planning to sunset their programs. Over the last 6 years we’ve lost at least 6 programs – Pierce, Seattle Central, South Puget Sound, Centralia, Clark, Olympic. While some programs have merged with other colleges, the overall number of programs and the diversity of regions where they are offered has diminished.

There is funding available, but the WA State Board of Community and Technical Colleges doesn’t see the “work force” value of these classes, nor how vital they are to young families. Their Board would only need to change these program’s current classification but they have rejected requests for such certification. People always say parenting is one of the most important jobs so for this Board not to recognize this importance over a technical issue is truly a shame for programs that have served families for 80 years.

Here’s a link for some of the actions programs are trying to enact:
A letter writing campaign launched last week and currently has over 6,000 letters sent. Please add your name and spread the word. Thanks!

A letter writing campaign launched last week and currently has over 6,000 letters sent.
There is a petition to SBCTC - Join the petition on Action Network telling SBCTC and WACTC to preserve the parent education programs and cooperative preschools in Washington. https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/preserve-the-parent-education-programs-and-cooperative-preschools-in-washingtons-ctcs?source=email&

26/02/2026

HB 2689, the House bill addressing Working Connections Child Care (WCCC), will have a public hearing today at 1:30 PM.

People are encouraged to sign in OTHER to show engagement on this bill. Please sign in by 12:30 PM tomorrow to ensure your voice is counted.

Key changes in the proposed substitute bill include:
Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) Eligibility & Enrollment
• Maintains income eligibility at 60% of State Median Income, rather than expanding to 75% and 85% in future years
• Removes the requirement that the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families stop accepting new families into WCCC in 2026
• Removes the caseload cap of 33,000 households
Subsidy Rates & Provider Payments
• Delays achieving the 75th percentile of market rates until July 1, 2027
• Requires DCYF to allow providers to claim:
– Full monthly payment for children with 10 or fewer absences
– Half-month payment if a child attends at least one day but has 11+ absences
• Prohibits providers from receiving rates outside their subsidy region
• Maintains repeal of prospective payments to providers
This hearing is an important opportunity to show lawmakers that child care access and provider stability must remain priorities. Please sign in, share this alert, and encourage partners across your networks to participate.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=2689&Year=2025&Initiative=false

WAEYC

27/04/2026

24/04/2026

14/04/2026

13/04/2026

02/04/2026

01/04/2026

30/03/2026

25/03/2026

19/03/2026

18/03/2026

16/03/2026

26/02/2026

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