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Arkansas Early Childhood Association

Arkansas Early Childhood Association

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AECA is a non-profit organization that connects early childhood care and education professionals Produce beneficial publications.

For more than 50 years AECA has worked for quality care and education for the children of Arkansas. In conjunction with its affiliation with the Southern Early Childhood Association (SECA), a 13 state regional organization, our goal is to:

Expand professional growth opportunities. Support public policy issues for southern children. Unless indicated by AECA inclusion of an organization, compan

08/09/2026

Arkansas Early Childhood Association (AECA) in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Education Office of Early Childhood (OEC) is offering this short-term incentive program with time-limited Preschool Development Grant (PDG) funds. Applications will be accepted starting August 10, 2026 and will remain open until PDG funding is exhausted.

Visit our website for more information or contact wages[@]arkansasearlychildhood[.]org or call 501-680-1930 if you have any questions.

08/07/2026

We can't wait to see you at our conference this year! 🤩

08/06/2026

🎤 Introducing one of the AECA Conference keynote speakers! 🥳

Dr. Anthony Broughton is an award‑winning educator, scholar, and nationally respected leader in early childhood and higher education. A former NAEYC Governing Board member and current President of the South Carolina affiliate, he has led programs to national accreditation and serves as Associate Dean and tenured Associate Professor at Alabama State University. Known worldwide as “MISTER B,” his engaging music and teaching inspire joyful, culturally responsive learning. Dr. Broughton also leads A.V.A. Educational Consulting, supporting educators through professional development and coaching.

You can find out more about Dr. Anthony on his website here:
🔗 misterbinspires.com

📅 Our conference will run from Wednesday, October 7 – Friday, October 9, 2026.

💵 Payment plans and bundle registrations are available this year. Call the AECA office 501-680-1930 to set this up.

🐦 Register now and follow our website page for more updates to come:

🔗 bit.ly/aecaconference

08/05/2026

Hey y’all! Welcome back to your Advocacy Alphabet with Natasha Kile, your AECA Public Policy Chair. This time, we're talking about 'K is for Kindergarten Readiness'.

Kindergarten readiness is not a checklist of academic skills. It is a portrait of the whole child. Research consistently shows that the skills most predictive of long-term success are not letter recognition or number sequencing. They are self-regulation, the ability to communicate needs and feelings, curiosity, persistence, and the capacity to build relationships with adults and peers. A child who can sit with frustration long enough to work through a problem, who can listen when someone else is talking, who approaches something new with confidence rather than fear – that child is ready. And those skills are built through play, relationships, and rich developmental experiences, not drilling academics at age three.

That’s where you come in! Will you advocate with AECA?

Do you have an advocacy story you’d like to share? I would love to feature your voice in a future column. Reach out to me at [email protected]. Until then, I’ll see you next time.

Natasha Kile
AECA Public Policy Chair

08/04/2026

🔊 This meeting is today - Tuesday, August 4th.

To provide you with information and to answer your questions about child care, join the informational Zoom meetings on the first Tuesday of every month at 12pm.

✅ Remember to pre-register online to attend:

🔗 bit.ly/provider-calls

08/04/2026

Happy August!

There's something special about August. Whether you're welcoming children for the very first time, preparing your classroom, supporting educators behind the scenes, or simply finding your rhythm again after a busy summer, this season always feels like a fresh beginning.

As we continue growing together this fall, I hope you'll join us for the Arkansas Early Childhood Association Conference, October 7th through 9th in North Little Rock. This year's conference theme is Uniting Our Purpose, Lifting Our Voices, and there will be an opportunity for you to reconnect with colleagues, discover new ideas, hear from engaging keynote speakers, gain practical strategies, and leave feeling refreshed and inspired for the important work that you do every day. No matter what your role is, there's a place for you, and I'd love to see you there.

As always, I'm cheering you on🩵

Julie Yarberry
AECA President

08/03/2026

Happy August! 🗓

Members of AECA will find this month's issue of the AECA Update in your email inbox. You can also find this document inside the membership area of our website.

If you are not a member or need to renew your membership, you can do so via the link above. If you have any questions about our membership, please do not hesitate to ask by sending an email to misty[@]arkansasearlychildhood.org

We would love to hear your feedback! Email communications[@]arkansasearlychildhood.org for any comments, questions or inquiries to be featured in future editions.

07/30/2026

Help Shape the Future of Family Engagement in Arkansas

The Office of Early Childhood is seeking providers from child care centers, family child care homes, and Early Intervention Day Treatment (EIDT) providers to participate in an upcoming focus group on Family Engagement & Partnerships.

Please visit the QR code or this link to find out more:

🔗 bit.ly/familyengagementpartnerships

Email any questions to Brenda.Suarez[@]ade.arkansas.gov

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Location

Fayetteville

Website

Address


PO Box 4921
Fayetteville, AR

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm