The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. NAEYC advances a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and supports all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children. The association comprises nearly 60,000 individual members of the early childhood community and 52 Affiliates, all committed to delivering on the promise of high-quality early learning. Together, they work to achieve a collective vision: that all young children thrive and learn in a society dedicated to ensuring they reach their full potential. NAEYC’s mission is to promote high-quality early learning for each and every child, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research while advancing a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and supporting all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.
Why it matters: NAEYC provides the infrastructure connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research to ensure high-quality early learning is grounded in evidence and implemented effectively rather than left to fragmented approaches. By bringing together nearly 60,000 individual members and 52 Affiliates committed to delivering on the promise of high-quality early learning, NAEYC demonstrates that advancing a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession requires a coordinated professional organization supporting all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children. The focus on children birth through age 8 reflects understanding that early learning during this critical developmental period determines whether children reach their full potential, making quality early childhood education essential infrastructure for a society dedicated to ensuring all young children thrive.
