Spring has Sprung

April Newsletter 2025

President's Message
As we celebrate the Week of the Young Child from April 7-11, we want to take a moment to recognize the dedication and passion of early childhood educators, families, and advocates. This special week is a time to highlight the importance of high-quality early learning and the incredible work being done in our field. We can't wait to see how you celebrate—whether it’s through Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, or any of the other themed days. Be sure to share your activities with us by tagging us on social media or sending photos and stories—we’d love to showcase your incredible efforts!

We are also thrilled to share that our annual conference is selling out quickly, with some sessions already at full capacity. If you haven’t registered yet, now is the time to secure your spot. In addition to engaging sessions and inspiring speakers, this is a great opportunity to meet the board nominees and connect with fellow professionals who are shaping the future of early childhood education.

We look forward to celebrating Week of the Young Child with you and seeing you at the conference!

Learn More About Week of the Young Child Here!

Membership

Join/Renew!

NAEYC is evolving, and MAAEYC is excited to share the latest updates to membership benefits! NAEYC has introduced a new single-tier membership at $72 annually, ensuring equal access to high-quality resources and professional development for all early childhood professionals.

Join or Renew Here!

Professional Development OpportunitiesCollege Courses in Partnership with Fisher College
CEU Courses

PS103:Child Growth and Development

Coming May 2025!
College Course Credits: 3 | Fee: $550.00
Registration closes April 14th

ED224: Supervision and Personnel Management in Programs for Children

Coming May 2025!
College Course Credits: 3 | Fee: $550.00
Registration closes April 14th

A Caring Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers and TwosEnrolling now! 
Duration: (9) Weeks
Fully Online through Google Classroom
4.5 CEUS
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This online course explains all aspects of a developmentally appropriate infant-toddler program and leads the participant through the processes of planning and implementing every aspect of caring for and teaching infants, toddlers, and twos. The course is divided into nine weeks. Topics include Child Development; Observation, Documentation and Assessment; Culture and Families; Creating Parent Partnerships; Physical Development and Nutrition; Language and Literacy; Social/Emotional Development; Cognitive Development.
and Infant Toddler Mental Health. Assignments consist of information from the Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers and relevant articles that are followed up with activities to move theory into practice. 


Register Here!

"Beyond the Labels" OpEd
Our very own At-Large Board Member and NAEYC Affiliate Advisory Council Member, Nancy Yee recently authored an OpEd featured within the Affiliate Connections Newsletter. Her OpEd speaks on cultivating rich vocabularies in our youngest multilingual learners!

MAAEYC Annual Conference🌟 Exciting Opportunity! 🌟 
Apply for grant funding to attend the MAAEYC Annual Conference! Don't miss your chance to Educate, Elevate, Celebrate 

We are excited to share that our conference has been approved for an Express Grant through the Commonwealth Corporation—a fantastic opportunity to make your professional development more accessible.

You can apply for reimbursement by following this link: Workforce Training Application. Here are some things to note about the program:

Important Updates on Express Grant FundingThe Workforce Training Fund Program (WTFP) has seen a surge in participation, leading to funding adjustments for Fiscal Year 2025 (July 2024 – June 2025). To help extend support to more businesses, several policy changes will take effect for applications submitted after November 1, 2024, at 5 PM:
 Funding Cap: Up to $15,000 per business per calendar year.
 Subsidy Limit: A cap of $300 per instructional hour, with a maximum of $3,000 per person per course. Businesses must cover any remaining costs.
 Tiered Reimbursement Structure:
Up to 100% reimbursement for businesses with 1–50 Massachusetts employees.
Up to 50% reimbursement for businesses with 51–100 Massachusetts employees (with exceptions for ESOL training).

We hope you find this information helpful! If you have any questions or need assistance with the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re happy to help if we can. Info@maaeyc.org

Looking forward to seeing you at the conference!

Keynote Speaker

April 26 2025
Natick High School
Natick MA
8:00-3:30 PM

NAEYC/MAAEYC Rate: $100.00
Non Member Rate: $125.00
Group discount available

Sponsorship

There are so many opportunities for your organization to enhance its visibility while supporting Early Childhood Educators. Complete the form below to get started!

Submit Your Form

Exhibitor Information

Do you own a business or a non profit and you want to showcase your product? This is the conference for you. We are expecting over 200 early childhood professionals to attend from across Massachusetts. Space is limited.
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Submit Your Form

          Embracing Anti-Bias Values: A Night of Powerful Conversations
On March 26th, Roxbury Community College became a space for transformative dialogue as community members gathered for a live viewing of Families Embracing Anti-Bias Values, an impactful documentary by Debbie LeeKeenan. This event, sponsored by the YMCA of Greater Boston and the Massachusetts Association for the Education of Young Children (MAAEYC), brought together educators, families, and advocates committed to fostering inclusive and equitable spaces for children.

The evening was more than just a screening—it was a catalyst for deep conversations and meaningful reflection. Attendees shared personal stories that resonated throughout the room, sparking discussions on how families can actively embrace and model anti-bias values in their daily lives. The power of collective storytelling and lived experiences created a space of connection and inspiration, reminding everyone present that real change happens in rooms like these.

A special thank you goes to Debbie LeeKeenan for her incredible work in creating this documentary and to Iris Ponte for her leadership in championing anti-bias education. Their dedication to this work continues to inspire and guide communities toward a more inclusive and just society.

Learn More

Webinar Series 2025 is Live!!!
$10.00 Each or
10% discount for 2 / 20% discount for all 3

Learn more and register here!

Committee Meetings

Membership Committee: April 14th 6:30-7:30 PM
Public Policy Committee: April 8th 8:00-9:00 PM
PD/Conference Committee: April 8th 7:00-8:30 PM
Governance Committee: April 3rd 1:00-2:00 PM

Access Zoom Links Here!

MAAEYC President-Elect Rachelle Hannoush Advocates for Increased Early Education Funding
MAAEYC’s public policy committee continues to advocate for early childhood educators, children, and families. On March 27th, Rachelle Hannoush met with State Senator Sal DiDomenico and the Common Start team to push for increased funding for the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC).

Hannoush shared real stories highlighting the rising costs of early childhood education and the need for fair wages that allow educators to thrive. “When educators enter the room with their cups full, they can be present, playful, and creative,” she emphasized. Investing in educators strengthens families, communities, and the economy.

The discussion also underscored early education’s vital role in economic stability. While current funding helps, Hannoush stressed the urgent need for additional resources. “Investing in early education isn’t just about today—it’s about building a stronger future for everyone.”
MAAEYC remains committed to ensuring Massachusetts prioritizes early education as a critical investment in children and the state’s future.