Wisconsin Early Childhood Association

Wisconsin Early Childhood Association Serving the early childhood workforce and early care and education in Wisconsin. Quality early care and education is fundamental to creating a better world.

WECA works to advance positive change for children by focusing on the professionals who provide child care for well over 70% of Wisconsin’s children. WECA strengthens the capacities of child care professionals through:
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT for child care providers. New discoveries on brain development and social-emotional learning call for new approaches. Through workshops, an annual conferenc

e, a statewide member network, and more, WECA helps providers advance their skills. ADVOCACY for policies and programs that support the well-being of children and the early childhood education workforce. COMMUNICATIONS that convey what early childhood professionals do and how valuable their contributions are to families, businesses, our communities, and the world. RESEARCH on the child care workforce that identifies strengths, needs, and strategies for improvement. With high-quality care children do better in school and in life, becoming adults with social and emotional skills that enable them to work, play, and relate well to others. With high-quality care, working parents can feel more confident and productive on the job, knowing that their children are safe and thriving.

WECA is raising serious concerns about a federal proposal that would eliminate most Head Start Program Performance Stand...
09/09/2026

WECA is raising serious concerns about a federal proposal that would eliminate most Head Start Program Performance Standards.

The proposed changes would affect classroom ratios and group sizes, services for children with disabilities and multilingual learners, parent engagement, educational quality, child safety, family services, and access in rural and underserved communities.

Head Start has long been one of the nation’s most effective public investments in young children and families. Weakening the standards that protect quality would undermine children, families, providers, and communities across Wisconsin.

WECA manifiesta su firme preocupación ante una propuesta federal que eliminaría la mayoría de las Normas de Desempeño del Programa Head Start.

Los cambios propuestos afectarían las proporciones de personal y niños en los salones de clase y el tamaño de los grupos, los servicios para niños con discapacidades y estudiantes multilingües, la participación de las familias, la calidad educativa, la seguridad infantil, los servicios de apoyo para las familias y el acceso a los programas en comunidades rurales y con acceso a insuficientes servicios.

Durante mucho tiempo, Head Start ha sido una de las inversiones públicas más eficaces del país en favor de los niños pequeños y sus familias. Debilitar los estándares que garantizan la calidad del programa perjudicaría a la niñez, las familias, los proveedores de servicios y las comunidades de todo Wisconsin.

The clues are hidden. The prizes are fantastic. The deadline is approaching. Registration for the WECA Conference closes...
09/08/2026

The clues are hidden. The prizes are fantastic. The deadline is approaching.

Registration for the WECA Conference closes on September 15, and spots are filling fast. Join fellow early childhood professionals for inspiring keynotes, practical learning, meaningful connections, and this year's next level WECALand Adventure. Explore, scan clues, earn points, and enter to win prizes, including an Apple iPad and a Lakeshore Learning Outdoor Music Center.

Don't miss the experience everyone will be talking about this October. Register today: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/WECAConf26/home

Los códigos están escondidos. Los premios son fantásticos. La fecha límite se acerca.

La inscripción para la Conferencia de WECA cierra el 15 de septiembre, y los espacios se están llenando rápidamente. Acompáñenos junto a más profesionales de la educación infantil para disfrutar de inspiradoras presentaciones principales, aprendizaje práctico, conexiones significativas y la Aventura de WECALand de este año, ¡más emocionante que nunca!

Explore, escanee códigos, acumule puntos y participe para ganar premios, entre ellos un Apple iPad y un centro musical de Lakeshore.

No se pierda la experiencia de la que todos estarán hablando este octubre. ¡Inscríbase hoy mismo!: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/WECAConf26/home

One week until Lancaster's Community Child Care Conversation!  On September 14 at 6 p.m., community members, child care ...
09/07/2026

One week until Lancaster's Community Child Care Conversation!

On September 14 at 6 p.m., community members, child care professionals, employers, parents, and local leaders will come together to discuss how ongoing child care challenges are impacting Southwest Wisconsin. This nonpartisan, informational event is a chance to learn more about the child care landscape, share your perspective, and meet with state elected officials and candidates for office.

Find details and RSVP here: https://weca.info/CCCLancaster

¡Falta una semana para la Conversación Comunitaria sobre el Cuidado Infantil en el norte de Wisconsin!

El 14 de septiembre a las 6:00 p. m., miembros de la comunidad, profesionales del cuidado infantil, empleadores, familias y líderes locales se reunirán para dialogar sobre cómo los desafíos persistentes del cuidado infantil están afectando al norte de Wisconsin. Este evento es una oportunidad para obtener más información sobre la situación actual del cuidado infantil, compartir su perspectiva y reunirse con funcionarios estatales electos y candidatos a cargos públicos.

Este evento está abierto al público, pero es necesario registrarse. Conversaciones ofrecidas en inglés. Confirme su asistencia aquí: https://weca.info/CCCLancaster

On Labor Day, we share our heartfelt gratitude for Wisconsin’s early childhood workforce – the workforce that supports a...
09/07/2026

On Labor Day, we share our heartfelt gratitude for Wisconsin’s early childhood workforce – the workforce that supports and sustains all other workforces. Early childhood educators provide foundational education in the earliest years that also serves as an economic engine. The work is essential and needs to be celebrated today and every day.

A reminder: WECA offices are closed today – we reopen tomorrow on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

En el Día del Trabajo, compartimos nuestra sincera gratitud por la fuerza laboral de Wisconsin dedicada a la primera infancia, la fuerza laboral que apoya y sostiene a todas las demás fuerzas laborales. Quienes trabajan por nuestra primera infancia brindan una educación fundamental en los primeros años que también sirve como motor económico. El trabajo es esencial y debe celebrarse hoy y todos los días.

Recordatorio: las oficinas de WECA estarán cerradas hoy; reabriremos mañana martes 8 de septiembre.

With registration filling quickly, now is the time to secure your spot for two days of learning, inspiration, and connec...
09/04/2026

With registration filling quickly, now is the time to secure your spot for two days of learning, inspiration, and connection with early childhood professionals from across Wisconsin.

As you plan your conference experience, be sure to visit our new conference website, which serves as the central information hub for registration, schedules, featured experiences and more.

Register today!: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/WECAConf26/home

Con los espacios llenándose rápidamente, este es el momento de asegurar su lugar para dos días de aprendizaje, inspiración y conexión con profesionales de la primera infancia de todo Wisconsin.

Mientras planea su experiencia en la conferencia, no deje de visitar nuestra nueva página web de la conferencia, que sirve como centro de información para registrarse, ver la programación, experiencias destacadas y mucho más.

¡Regístrese hoy mismo!: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/WECAConf26/home

“Every day, we see the difference Head Start makes. Children build the skills they need for school, parents gain trusted...
09/02/2026

“Every day, we see the difference Head Start makes. Children build the skills they need for school, parents gain trusted partners, and families connect with services that support their health and well-being.”
— Ruth Schmidt, WECA Executive Director

A new federal proposal would remove the standards that help make those outcomes possible. WECA urges HHS to withdraw the proposal and protect Head Start for children and families.

Submit a public comment by October 6, 2026: https://weca.info/HeadStart

"Cada día vemos la diferencia que marca Head Start. Los niños desarrollan las habilidades que necesitan para la escuela, las familias cuentan con aliados de confianza y las conectan con servicios que apoyan su salud y bienestar".
— Ruth Schmidt, directora ejecutiva de WECA

Una nueva propuesta federal eliminaría los estándares que ayudan a hacer posibles esos resultados. WECA pide al HHS retirar la propuesta y proteger Head Start para la niñez y las familias.

Envie un comentario público antes del 6 de octubre: https://weca.info/HeadStart

Secure your spot at the 2026 WECA Conference and don't miss Courage to Celebrate, a vibrant multicultural reception feat...
09/01/2026

Secure your spot at the 2026 WECA Conference and don't miss Courage to Celebrate, a vibrant multicultural reception featuring live performances, complimentary appetizers, and opportunities to connect with early childhood professionals from across Wisconsin. This event is free for conference attendees, but pre-registration required.

https://site.pheedloop.com/event/WECAConf26/home

Reserve su lugar en la Conferencia de WECA 2026 y no se pierda Courage to Celebrate, una vibrante recepción multicultural con presentaciones en vivo, aperitivos por nuestra cuenta y oportunidades para conectar con profesionales de la primera infancia de todo Wisconsin. Este evento es gratuito para quienes asistan a la conferencia, pero requiere inscripción previa.

https://site.pheedloop.com/event/WECAConf26/home

Join local leadership, child care professionals, employers, and parents to meet with state elected officials at an upcom...
08/31/2026

Join local leadership, child care professionals, employers, and parents to meet with state elected officials at an upcoming Community Child Care Conversation in Cable on September 21 at 6pm! Help tell the story of the child care crisis and discuss how ongoing challenges are impacting child care professionals, families, businesses, and communities across Southwest Wisconsin.

This event is open to the public, but registration is required. RSVP here: https://weca.info/CCCCable

Únase a líderes locales, profesionales del cuidado infantil, empleadores y familias para una reunión con funcionarios electos estatales en la próxima Conversación Comunitaria sobre el Cuidado Infantil en Cable, el 21 de septiembre a las 6:00 p. m.
Ayude a compartir la realidad de la crisis del cuidado infantil y a dialogar sobre cómo los desafíos persistentes están afectando a profesionales del cuidado infantil, familias, empresas y comunidades de todo el suroeste de Wisconsin.

Este evento está abierto al público, pero es necesario registrarse. Conversaciones ofrecidas en inglés. Confirme su asistencia aquí: https://weca.info/CCCCable

Conference Update: In-person exhibitor registration for the 2026 WECA Conference is now closed, as we have reached capac...
08/30/2026

Conference Update: In-person exhibitor registration for the 2026 WECA Conference is now closed, as we have reached capacity. Thank you for the tremendous interest in this year's event. Virtual exhibitor registration will remain open through August 31, and we look forward to welcoming exhibitors and attendees this October.

Actualización de la conferencia: La inscripción presencial para expositores de la Conferencia de WECA 2026 se ha cerrado, ya que hemos alcanzado la capacidad máxima. Gracias por el enorme interés en el evento de este año. La inscripción para expositores virtuales permanecerá abierta hasta el 31 de agosto. ¡Esperamos dar la bienvenida a expositores y asistentes este octubre!

Join local leadership, child care professionals, employers, and parents to meet with state elected officials at an upcom...
08/29/2026

Join local leadership, child care professionals, employers, and parents to meet with state elected officials at an upcoming Community Child Care Conversation in Lancaster on September 14th at 6pm! Help tell the story of the child care crisis and discuss how ongoing challenges are impacting child care professionals, families, businesses, and communities across Southwest Wisconsin.

The nonpartisan, informational event is open to the public, but registration is required. RSVP HERE: https://weca.info/CCCLancaster

Únase a líderes locales, profesionales del cuidado infantil, empleadores y familias para reunirse con funcionarios electos y candidatos/as estatales en el próximo Foro Comunitario de Cuidado Infantil en Lancaster, el 14 de septiembre a las 6:00 p. m. Ayude a contar la historia de la crisis del cuidado infantil y analice cómo los desafíos actuales están afectando a profesionales del cuidado infantil, familias, empresas y su comunidad. (Evento ofrecido en inglés).

Evento abierto al público, pero se requiere inscripción previa. Regístrese aquí: https://weca.info/CCCLancaster

Address

2908 Marketplace Drive, Suite 101
Fitchburg, WI
53719

Opening Hours

Monday 8:15am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:15am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:15am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:15am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:15am - 4:30pm

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