Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children

Join us in July for the CLASS 2nd Edition Pre-K Observer Certification Training!

This comprehensive hybrid training prepares participants to observe, document, and measure the quality of educator-child interactions using the CLASS tool across a variety of settings. Participants will gain practical experience and build the foundation for data-informed program improvement.

⏰ 8:30 AM–4:30 PM daily
📍 Day 1: Vermont State University Randolph Campus
💻 Days 2 & 3: Zoom

https://www.vtaeyc.org/event/2nd-edition-pre-k-class-certification/

🎓 Know an exceptional early childhood education student?

Help us recognize their hard work and commitment by nominating them for VTAEYC's 2026 ECE Student of the Year Award. Nominations are open through September 1.

🏆 The award recipient will be honored at the 2026 VTAEYC Annual Conference.

➡️ Submit a nomination today: vtaeyc.org/annual-awards

Congratulations to this year's Exchange cohort, who recently completed their fellowships with projects connecting early childhood education and their areas of focus:

ECE x Our Community Fellows: Tess Bates and Julie Koehler

ECE x Our Planet Fellows: Michelle Black and Malissa Newton

ECE x Equity Fellows: Molly Abbey and Jessica Titcomb

"The Exchange Fellowship program has been a wonderful and fulfilling experience for me," said Michelle.

Learn more about the Exchange Fellowship Program 👇
https://www.vtaeyc.org/exchange/

New CLASS Trainings Available Anytime!

We just launched a series of self-paced trainings to help your team learn about the CLASS framework. These introductory online trainings are free and accessible anytime. This is a tool to help you provide your team with a foundation in educator-child interactions and how to strengthen them.

These training resources will soon be published on vtaeyc.org. We're giving you early access now. The following link will ask you to create an account:

https://training.vtaeyc.org/register/

In our latest Programs Update, Nikki Bearor, Program Manager and Lead Assessor, shares an exciting professional development opportunity. Learn how VTAEYC's new FREE on-demand CLASS trainings make it easier than ever to build knowledge of the CLASS framework.

Read the full newsletter and learn how to begin your CLASS trainings:

https://prod.cdn.everyaction.com/emails/van/EA/EA016/1/103231/313wTIKwfBn2hoPRdc7ptPxeRM1vIGZPW_K5JqRmlfI_archive

Earlier this week, VTAEYC's Director of Engagement, Beth Wallace, joined leaders from across Vermont to reflect on the impact of Act 76, celebrating the progress made while exploring the work that still lies ahead for Vermont's early childhood education system.

The discussion highlighted both the successes resulting from Vermont's investment in child care and the ongoing efforts needed to strengthen support for children, families, educators, programs, and communities.

Watch the entire conversation here:

Act 76 in Action: Progress, Impact, and What’s Next for Childcare https://vbsr.org/act-76-in-action-progress-impact-and-whats-next-fo...

🏆 Know an early childhood educator who goes above and beyond?

Help us celebrate their impact by nominating them for VTAEYC's Early Childhood Educator of the Year Award by July 1.

Whether they've made a difference in a child's life, strengthened a program, or supported their community, we want to hear their story.

🎉 The recipient will be honored at the 2026 VTAEYC Annual Conference (Oct. 21–23).

➡️ Submit a nomination today:
https://webportalapp.com/sp/login/eceoy-nomination-form

We’re grateful to have .and.sew as a summit-level sponsor of this year’s VTAEYC Annual Conference.

Seed & Sew offers tools, trainings, and resources that help educators and families support children’s emotional development.

From professional development workshops to classroom-ready strategies, Seed & Sew empowers early childhood professionals to create emotionally responsive environments where children and adults can thrive.

Learn more about this year’s conference:
https://www.vtaeyc.org/annual-conference/

Early childhood educators make a difference every day, and we're proud to celebrate the work you do.

Our "I Am An Early Childhood Educator" yard signs are still popping up across Vermont, and we want to see them displayed in every community statewide! 💙

Need one? Request yours today:

bit.ly/4uVchb0

Join VTAEYC and RIVET for a unique professional development experience inspired by Mosaic of Marks, Words, Material, an internationally renowned exhibition from Reggio Emilia.

Explore how children communicate, tell stories, and make meaning through drawing, mark making, and materials. Participants will enjoy a guided exhibition tour, hands-on experiences, and meaningful reflection with peers.

Four sessions are available and tailored to different early childhood educator audiences. Choose the session that best fits your role.

https://www.vtaeyc.org/series/making-marks/