NCAEYC

Today, we remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Wishing everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day as we reflect with gratitude. 🇺🇸

Early childhood programs play a critical role in helping children and families feel connected, supported, and able to thrive in their communities.

Policies around immigration enforcement in “sensitive locations” can influence whether families feel comfortable accessing early childhood programs. When those protections are weakened, it can disrupt children’s access to care, affect program stability, and create additional stress for families and educators alike.

📣 Join us in calling on Congress to protect sensitive locations from immigration enforcement and ensure early childhood settings remain safe, trusted spaces for all children and families.
https://bit.ly/4wPxMvJ

📘Learn more in NAEYC’s new brief, which shares what educators across the field are seeing and experiencing as immigration enforcement impacts young children, families, and early educators. https://bit.ly/4wyge71

Today we celebrate the moms, mother figures, and caregivers who do so much for the children and families every single day. 💕

Your love, strength, guidance, and endless support help children learn, grow, and feel safe and valued. Thank you for all the big and small moments that make such a lasting impact.

Happy Child Care Provider Appreciation Day to the incredible providers who nurture, teach, encourage, and care for our youngest learners every single day. 💙 NCAEYC appreciates you and all you do!

Some reminders as we move into Mental Health Awareness Month. 💚

🧠🌱
May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Not everything you’re carrying is visible.
Not everything you’re feeling needs to be fixed today.

This month isn’t about having it all together…
it’s about noticing, understanding, and being a bit kinder to yourself.

Small things count:
• getting out of bed
• sending that message
• taking a breath instead of pushing through

Because being healthy starts from the inside 🤍
— B’s Wellbeing

A great opportunity to join the conversation & support Early Childhood Education!

Real change in early childhood education doesn’t just happen. It’s built by educators who step up, speak out, and help define the standards of our profession.

The Commission on Professional Excellence in ECE is seeking two educators to join as voting members. This is an opportunity to bring your experience into national conversations around licensure, professional standards, and the future of our field.

If you’ve ever thought “we can do better,” this is a way to help make it happen.

Apply by April 27, 2026: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DQ5SXFY?utm_campaign=37224345-NOTES_2026_Newsletter&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9PzALx6Gs_-NMY_NeMFm9bpMDHZunIbvCLIl5snKV4JPfMhEbx84ZvCmxo0uI4rYIKjocjGUYeCHHcdHOwd5WfaONtXw&_hsmi=410855213&utm_content=410855548&utm_source=hs_email

Over time, toxic stress can affect the brain development of infants and toddlers and increase the risk of long-term health challenges, including heart disease, mental health problems and learning difficulties.

The strongest buffer for a baby is a stable, nurturing relationship. But caregivers need support to make that possible.

Learn what we can do to protect the long-term health and development of young children: https://bit.ly/4brlLm8

It's Artsy Thursday. 🎨 Think, problem solve, and create! Children develop creativity, social skills, and fine motor skills through open-ended art projects where they can make choices, use their imaginations, and create with their hands. On Artsy Thursday, celebrate the joy and learning children experience when expressing themselves through art. Share your Artsy Thursday fun with us in the comments or tag us in a post! The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

Happy !

✨ We are full of joy this week celebrating the Week of the Young Child! ✨

We’ve been so grateful to learn alongside our families with Kelley Wilson and Ms. Laura, exploring the joy and importance of singing and playing our way into early literacy. Additionally, joy buzzed through our community yesterday with a visit from Ms. Laura herself- through magical musical moments to shaky eggs and rocket ship runs!

Tasty Tuesday brought hands-on harvesting and preparation as children gathered chocolate peppermint from the garden and created a refreshing peppermint water to share. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, children have been hard at work adding toppings to the pizzas they began last week—following their family-created recipes in preparation for Family Friday! 🍕🌿Thank you to Against the Grain Farm for the local spinach added to the pizza for nutrients, color, and deliciousness!

What a beautiful week of connection, creativity, and celebrating early childhood.
💛