PennAEYC Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children

Crayons, bibs, and child care conversations — what a wonderful morning! 🎨

Thanks to PBS39 for welcoming us to the kick-off of their Summer Series for Kids, featuring Larissa from The Lovely Little Lotus. The weekly series offers music, stories, and crafts for children ages 2–8 and their caregivers — such a great resource for local families!

We were on-site passing out Pre-K for PA crayons and Start Strong PA bibs and chatting with families about how to find, choose, and afford high-quality child care.

"The day we all go silent is the day that we all lose."
- Cory Peterson, Jefferson-Clarion Head Start Alum, father and advocate for children and families.

Excellent event! We need to keep educating legislators and the community about the importance of services gor children

Step by Step School for Early Learning
Centre County United Way
Centre Co. Childcare Crisis Coalition

Attention PDO CENTRAL REGION providers:

Register now for our next CDA class series (for PDO Central Region only!) that are starting in September. Check out our professional development website for all the details at
https://www.pennaeyc.com/our-work/professional-development-2026/

The Dr. Rae Ann Hirsh Apprenticeship HUB for Early Childhood Education is hosting a Virtual Open House on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 6:30 pm and Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 1:30

Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 6:30
https://carlow-edu.zoom.us/j/91749890087?pwd=I4sRy8JbJOx5E4qT03fbbejRp4mOES.1

Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 1:30
https://carlow-edu.zoom.us/j/93029379665?pwd=zxZCqaBkS2SziGosydWdEJekrg74yb.1

The child care crisis is here — and it's getting worse.

Today, business leaders, lawmakers, and early learning advocates gathered at Lehigh Valley Children's Centers (LVCC) in Allentown to sound the alarm. New data just released reveals hundreds of closed classrooms have wiped out over 1,500 child care slots across Lehigh County.

That's 1,500 children without a place to go.

The staffing crisis is real. The impact is real. Now it's time for real solutions.

Participants Included:
Tim Fallon - Early Learning Investment Commission
Flo Scott - Chair, Women's BusIiness Council of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
Senator Nick Miller
Rep. Mike Schlossberg
Rep. Ana Tiburcio
Advocates from PennAEYC and United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley — all standing together with one message: We cannot wait.

Start Strong PA
Pre-K for PA

🎓 Kindergarten, here they come! Playtime Daycare's Pre-K Counts graduates are ready for their next big adventure — thanks to the teachers who laid the groundwork. Strong early education = brighter futures. At the graduation ceremony teachers were recognized with certificates by Rep. Ana Tiburcio. Pennsylvania, let's fund Pre-K Counts in the June budget and keep the momentum going. Cheers to these little stars! ⭐
Pre-K for PA