HISTORY OF CAEYC
Nursery Education Associations, as they were referred to in 1926, were created over seventy years ago as a result of dedicated nursery school professionals who gathered together in order to share and disseminate information and support for this emerging profession known as child care. In California, the Associations were divided into Northern and Southern California Associations for Nursery Education and developed separately until 1955 when both sections came together as CANE (California Association for Nursery Education) at the first annual meeting of the board of directors, presided by Elizabeth Woods, the first state president.

In 1966, CANE saw an increased scope of membership and adopted a new name that reflected the goals of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and became the California Association for the Education of Young Children (CAEYC).

Following 40 years of growth and development, CAEYC has become a vital force uniting educators of young children and advocating for political and professional leadership. CAEYC sponsors an annual state conference bringing together more than 50 chapters of regional Associations, and is the primary sponsor of the Annual Public Policy Symposium.

CAEYC is a nonprofit corporation under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code governed by a statewide Board of Directors, which derives its authority from the CAEYC Bylaws and Standing Rules. The State of California Franchise Tax Board grants CAEYC tax-exempt status under Section 237010d of the Revenue and Taxation Code.

Affiliation
The California Association for the Education of Young Children (CAEYC), founded in 1953, has over 10,000 members in 34 local affiliates. CAEYC is one of the more than 430 active affiliate groups of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in Washington, D.C.

Services

• Sponsor of the State Conference and the Annual Public Policy Symposium
• Publisher of the CAEYC Newsletter, Connections
• Provider of information on parenting, advocacy, research, credentialing, child care, salary and status, regulations, professional development and children’s education