New York Association for the Education of Young Children

The COVID-19 vaccine is now available for all early childhood educators in New York State. Check out our blog to see if you are eligible and for information on ...how to find convenient locations administering COVID-19 vaccines. Read the blog post: https://earlychildhoodny.org//covid-19-vaccine-available-/ See more

NYAEYC Members! Our early bird, member-only online registration is now open for the 2021 Virtual Annual Conference! The event is scheduled for April 15 - 18, and we are excited to provide the same great, quality professional development as our in-person event. Register today! https://www.eventsforce.net/nysaeyc/41/home

Our own Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, Katie Albitz, was able to eloquently craft a statement of reaffirmation following the unprecedented actions taken at the Capitol building. Please take a look at her full statement and this month's issue of Advocacy Matters at the link below. "In light of yesterday’s violence in Washington DC, we feel it is urgent to affirm our commitment to working towards a country where each and every child regardless of their race, class,... religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, or immigration status lives in a full democracy, is safe from violence, and receives a high quality early childhood education. While the young children around us may not be aware of the news, they are recipients of the tension and trauma of the adults around them. Providing a safe, comforting space for children that preserves their routines is incredibly difficult but also crucially important in times like these." https://conta.cc/3ovzjn6

Please take some time to review this long awaited data from the Yale School of Medicine. The study, conducted by Dr. Walter Gilliam and his colleagues, "surveyed 57,000 child care providers and found that there was no 'heightened risk' of coronavirus transmission if safety practices were followed." Take a look! https://www.today.com//daycare-covid-19-study-finds-no-lin

Fall is here! The Western NY Regional Chapter of NYAEYC has come together to host the 2020 Fall Conference featuring Dr. Dana Winters from the Fred Rogers Institute. Register now for this 3-hour virtual event! https://www.eventsforce.net/nysaeyc/38/home

It's not too late! You can still respond to the 2020 Census! Let us assure you, YOUR RESPONSE MATTERS. The Census determines the allocation of federal funds for programs essential to health care, EDUCATION, housing, and more. You have until September 30th, so complete your survey today! https://www.ny.gov/programs/2020-census

Congress: for months, we have been asking you to #SaveChildCare. You need to do the job that the people have asked you to do. Prioritize COVID relief that includes at least $50B in dedicated funding for child care. That’s what families and their communities want and need. Call your members of Congress so we can #SaveChildCare!

For #NationalVoterRegistrationDay we created some new resources to help early learning programs and professional development providers in New York get their early childhood communities #VoteReady! #ECEwins https://conta.cc/2FYdTxc

As trusted members of their communities, early childhood educators can encourage members of their early learning community to be #VoteReady for the 2020 elections by registering to vote and updating their voter registration. Visit to americaforearlyed.org/ourvotes today! #NationalVoterRegistrationDay

Dear Congress: As the new school year begins, families, child care providers, and educators across the country are in crisis. Child care providers and educators can’t safely do their jobs until you do yours. We need at least $50B to stabilize child care & $200B for our K-12 schools. https://bit.ly/3hBfc2p

"While public school administrators have also had to grapple with new safety protocols and increased expenses as a result of the pandemic, they are government funded. Daycares aren’t. Society decided long ago that children have a right to a grade-school education to which even non-parents are required to contribute, but there is no similar consensus for sharing the cost of caring for smaller kids." https://time.com/5886491/covid-childcare-daycare/

We will always remember.

Did you know there is a new way to request an absentee ballot for this year's election online in less than 60 seconds? For reason, please select "Temporary illness or physical disability (including affected / potential of COVID - 19)" https://absenteeballot.elections.ny.gov

Despite a lack of investment, guidance, and recognition, child care programs have committed to providing critical support for children and families for the duration of the crisis. Without at least $50 billion in funding now and sustained support, these critical programs will not survive. NYAEYC’s new report, Save Child Care. Essential Work. Essential Stories, shares the stories of 16 child care providers and almost 800 survey responses. We need Congress and our communities to hear these stories and act. http://nyaeyc.org///Save-Child-Care-NYAEYC-August-2020.pdf

#ChildCare is in crisis, nearly 4.5M child care spots may be permanently lost b/c of #COVID19 closures. Call Congress TODAY to urge them to #ThinkBabiesAndAct by supporting families with babies keep access to safe, affordable child care. https://www.thinkbabies.org