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 8,000 members in 33 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

Past Presidents

1955-1957 -- Elizabeth Woods
1957-1959 -- Jean DeMattos
1959-1961 -- Helen Frederick
1961-1963 -- Bettie Boyd
1963-1965 -- Alma Green
1965-1967 -- Sarah Foot
1967-1969 -- Marian Anderson
1969-1970 -- Agatha Cohee
1970-1971 -- Lou Grant
1971-1973 -- Vera Taylor
1973-1975 -- Mildred Sabath
1975-1977 -- Mary Warner
1977-1979 -- Esther Weir
1979-1981 -- Joanne Hendrick
1981-1983 -- Coral Edquist
1983-1985 -- Marcia Fochler
1985-1987 -- Sylvia White
1987-1989 -- Robin Valles
1989-1991 -- Elsie Gee
1991-1993 -- Lee McKay
1993-1995 -- Cecelia Alvarado Kuster
1995-1997 -- Judy Brummel
1997-1999 -- Betsy Hiteshew
1999-2001 -- Sharon Hawley
2001-2003 -- Michelle Soltero
2003-2005 -- Ellen Junn
2005-2007 -- Eve-Marie Arce
2007-2009 -- Ginger Swigart

Annual Report Download [pdf]

 

OUR MISSION
The California Association for the Education of Young Children is dedicated to advancing excellence throughout the early care and education profession.

OUR VISION
CAEYC envisions a respected professional workforce providing developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive, high-quality, early care and education for all young children achieved through research, education, professional development and advocacy.

OUR EXTERNAL VALUES

• We believe that quality, early care and education in the lives of young children enables them to reach their full potential.
• We believe that appropriate systems of early care and education are an indispensable part of a community's infrastructure.
• We believe that a well-informed community will advocate for the resources necessary to improve the quality of life for their children.
• We believe that quality, early care and education is provided by well-trained professionals who understand a child's developmental needs and possess the competencies necessary to reach their potential.
• We believe that providing quality, early care and education is the result of lifelong learning where theory, standards, and practice are shared routinely and openly among professionals, government and public officials, as well as parents.
• We believe in valuing the diversity that exists within our profession.
• We believe in building positive partnerships with organizations that share our principles and seek to ensure that appropriate systems are in place to serve young children and their families.
• We believe that quality, early care and education is provided by professionals that respect and understand the emotional, physical, social and cognitive needs of young children and their families.
• We believe that our ability to affect positive change in the profession occurs when we join together creating a unified voice.

OUR INTERNAL VALUES

• We believe the diversity of our membership and staff brings unique skills, talents and abilities that will enable us to fulfill our mission and vision.
• We believe in offering programs, products, services and advocacy opportunities that will ensure members' success in a changing environment.
• We believe open, honest and ethical association structure and processes will build the trust and respect necessary to mobilize efforts not only within our association but also among related organizations.
• We believe providing worthwhile opportunities for involvement offers every member the opportunity to contribute their knowledge and expertise while strengthening their own unique personal leadership skills.
• We believe our effectiveness is based upon setting goals and priorities through consensus, and holding ourselves accountable for their achievement.
• We believe a strong network of Affiliates, whose leadership is supported with information, tools, and training, is essential to our success.

OUR LONG-TERM GOALS
In an effort to fulfill our mission and vision, CAEYC seeks to achieve the following goals:

• To be the primary and respected source of research and information on early care and education.
• To be the primary and respected leader in the advocacy arena, exerting influence to achieve positive change on early care and education issues.
• To be the guiding force for members to develop professionals and leaders in the early care and education community.
• To demonstrate responsiveness to member needs by providing high-quality programs, products and services.
• To continue fostering and building a strong partnership with Affiliate organizations and supporting their efforts to become effective at the regional level.
• To demonstrate an efficient and effective organization by using the systems necessary to govern and manage in ways that will maximize our human and financial resources.
• To achieve equitable recognition and compensation for all who work in the early care and education profession.

OUR OBJECTIVES

Objective 1	Focus on providing our members with a successful annual conference and other professional development opportunities.
Objective 2	Improve membership retention by becoming more responsive to members' needs and expectations.
Objective 3	Improve our public policy and advocacy efforts to become more proactive in addressing the issues affecting the profession.
Objective 4	Ensure CAEYC's long-term sustainability by strengthening the systems within our current organizational structure.
Objective 5	Strengthen communication between and among Affiliates and States.
Objective 6	Improve prospective and current member's perception of the full value of membership.
Objective 7	Increase membership in size and representation of those active in the profession.
Objective 8	Raise the strength, effectiveness and expertise of the leadership at the State and Affiliate levels.
Objective 9	Improve our communication to members to become the "brand" that those involved in the profession value.
Objective 10	Raise awareness among public and media of CAEYC's achievements and actions.