Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children

Looking for a great professional learning opportunity this fall?

Hunger Free Vermont, the Department for Children and Families, and partners from across the state are hosting a free, one-day virtual conference on September 23, 2026.

We encourage Vermont’s early childhood community to check it out and take advantage of this opportunity to learn, connect, and explore new resources!

https://vermontfoodhelp.com/3squaresvt-conference-registration-2026?emci=d10194c8-e390-f111-b337-000d3a1558ce&emdi=963526a6-e690-f111-b337-000d3a1558ce&ceid=4056232

At VTAEYC, we know that meaningful support for early childhood educators starts with listening. That's why we invite you to complete the 2026 Vermont Early Childhood Networks (VECN) Annual Survey.

VECNs are regional and statewide peer professional networks that provide professional development, opportunities to connect with colleagues, and access to resources for early childhood educators across Vermont. Your feedback will help us strengthen and improve these networks.

Please note that you do not need to be part of a VECN to complete the survey.

The survey takes approximately 10–15 minutes to complete. Survey participants will be entered into a drawing to win one of several early childhood curriculum bundles.

Please submit your responses by September 1, 2026.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VECN2026?nvep=&hmac=&emci=7b2cfa69-b291-f111-9b33-000d3a11fa30&emdi

The Snelling Center for Government invites members of the public, nonprofit and private sectors to apply for admission to the 2027 Early Childhood Leadership Institute.

ECLI will give participants the information, tools and inspiration to make greater contributions in their organizations, their communities and Vermont toward early childhood issues. ECLI Associates will join a professional network of over 1100 Vermont Leadership Network Alumni with more than 150 Early Childhood Leadership Institute graduates to date.

They are now accepting applications through Friday, August 21st. https://pci.jotform.com/form/261826133770154

More information: https://snellingcenter.org/ecli-application-information/

Join Vermont educators for Inspired by Children: Using Observation to Design Meaningful Curriculum, an intermediate-level training focused on using intentional observation to create meaningful, responsive learning experiences.

Through discussion, reflection, and hands-on activities, participants will explore strategies for observing, documenting, and interpreting children's learning, then use those insights to design engaging curriculum across a variety of ages and settings.

Offered through VTAEYC's statewide Hub and Spoke Model, this hybrid training combines a live broadcast from a central Hub at Rutland, with facilitated discussions and activities at the following local Spoke sites:

Burlington, East Burke, Brattleboro, and Randolph

Each program is led by Quality Support Specialists and Assessors. Lunch is provided at all locations.

https://www.vtaeyc.org/series/hub-and-spoke/

🌟For years, Teachstone has helped educators strengthen their teaching practices so that every child has a better tomorrow.

Teachstone is the founder of the CLASS® tool, used across Vermont to support program quality and educator development. Programs can request a CLASS assessment through the SPARQS Portal to help shape their CQI goals and professional learning.

As a Pinnacle sponsor, Teachstone’s support helps make possible our keynote sessions, featured events, and deep engagement opportunities throughout the conference.

We’re grateful for their partnership in uplifting early childhood education across Vermont!

📍 Join us in Killington
📅 October 21–23
https://www.vtaeyc.org/annual-conference/

Last Saturday, we were honored to celebrate The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Centennial alongside educators, regional partners, advocates, policymakers, and supporters from across the state.

This milestone event offered a meaningful opportunity to reflect on a century of impact and to connect around the work still ahead. An interactive timeline highlighted both NAEYC and VTAEYC milestones, showcasing the progress we've made together over the past 100 years. Hands-on activities sparked new ideas, strengthened connections, and—of course—we celebrated with cake!

Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to all who continue to support our mission. Your partnership makes this work possible, and together, we're building an even brighter future.

Join the Vermont Department of Health next month for an hour-long conversation focused on current health guidance for programs. These ongoing check-ins are an opportunity to hear timely updates and ask questions.

Please submit questions ahead of time when you register.

Register here 👇
https://www.vtaeyc.org/event/early-childhood-educators-vermont-department-of-health-qa-4/

🎓 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

VTAEYC is pleased to offer a limited number of financial scholarships to help early childhood edcuators attend the 2026 VTAEYC Annual Conference.

Each scholarship will cover 50% of the conference registration fee. Five scholarship recipients will be selected through a random lottery.

To be eligible, applicants must:

- Live or work in Vermont.
- Work in or own a Vermont early childhood or public preschool program.
- Demonstrate financial need that would otherwise prevent them from attending the conference.

Applications must be submitted by August 7, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.

https://secure.everyaction.com/r4Ls9mgNhkmDmdMvwESpIA2

🎉The wait is over — tickets are officially ON SALE for the 2026 VTAEYC Annual Conference!

● This is your chance to join Vermont’s biggest early childhood education event of the year.
● This conference sells out quickly—and faster every year.
● Tickets are available now for VTAEYC + NAEYC members.
● Not a member yet? There’s still time to join and register today!

🎟️ Get your ticket: vtaeyc.org/annual-conference