The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) commemorates its 100th anniversary this year, marking a century of advocacy, innovation, and leadership in early childhood education (ECE).

Founded in 1926 as the National Association for Nursery Education, NAEYC began with a simple but powerful belief: young children deserve better, and the people who care for them deserve a voice. Today, NAEYC stands as the nation’s largest early childhood education association, with tens of thousands of members, 50 affiliates in nearly every state, more than 5,800 accredited early learning programs serving over half a million children and nearly half a million families, and nearly 180 accredited higher education programs teaching the next generation of early childhood educators.

“Our work has never been more urgent,” said NAEYC CEO Michelle Kang. “We need systems that truly value children and the people who care for and educate them.  Early childhood educators are the workforce behind the workforce—skilled, dedicated professionals whose impact reaches children, families, businesses, and communities nationwide. By recognizing these educators’ expertise, investing in their compensation, and elevating their contributions, we invest in our collective future.”

A Century of Progress

Over the past 100 years, NAEYC has created the foundational infrastructure of the early childhood education field. Key milestones include:

• Publishing the first professional standards in 1929
• Collaborating to develop the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential in the 1970s
• Launching the first voluntary national accreditation system in 1985
• Establishing Developmentally Appropriate Practice guidelines in 1987 to promote each child’s optimal development and learning
• Creating the field’s first Code of Ethics in 1989

More recently, NAEYC convened Power to the Profession (2017–2020), a national collaboration of 15 organizations and 11,000+ educators that developed the “Unifying Framework,” which defines shared career pathways, qualifications, and compensation recommendations for the early childhood workforce.

A Crisis of Today

While the science is clear that high-quality early childhood education changes trajectories for children, families, and communities, today’s early childhood educators remain undervalued and under-supported. Early childhood educators currently earn a median wage of $15.41 per hour, even as families pay an average of $13,128 per year for child care.

“Families can’t afford to pay more, educators can’t afford to earn less,” said Kang. “Our entire nation suffers as parents can’t find or afford the high-quality care they need, pulling themselves out of the workforce in the process.”

A Year of Reflections and Events

As the centerpiece of its centennial commemoration, NAEYC has launched A Year of Reflections, a storytelling initiative inviting educators, families, and advocates to share the moments, mentors, and milestones that have shaped their journeys in early childhood education. Monthly themes throughout 2026—from beginnings to workforce advocacy to a vision for the future—aim to not only surface important stories and storytellers in the field  but will help inform NAEYC’s next chapter.

Eagle Rock High School senior Irene Maddox is selected as the Rose Queen of the 2027 Rose Parade courtesy of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses. Maddox, captain of her school’s swim and girls water polo teams, shares what it feels like to be picked as Queen of the Royal Court.

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I’m going through the most challenging experience of my life with SHAPE,” said Deloyd Parker. He has served as the executive director of the historic SHAPE Community Center for over 57 years and is still energetic and driven by the love of serving the people. Known as “The United Nations of The ‘Hood,” SHAPE is a precious cornerstone of Houston’s Third Ward, serving generations of families through programs and activities, with emphasis on Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work & Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith.

January 2027 will mark two years since a devastating electrical fire took place at SHAPE’s Nia Becnel Family Center, located at 3815 Live Oak. The building and priceless historical items were significantly damaged and lost. That included the “Wall of Fame” photo collection that adorned the interior walls. Nedzra Ward, President of the Board of Directors, shared how the fi rst few days aft er the fire were very trying for everyone who loved SHAPE and those who visited the sacred grounds were in shock and silence. “We knew we had to start working to get things back up,” said Ms. Ward who has been apart of SHAPE’s staff and board for decades. In the aftermath, Ms. Ward called the insurance company and then reached out to Charles Cave to be the lead project manager. They also reached out to engineers Brian Smith, Barbara Smith and Frank Brown, and other experts to formulate the group known as Together Building Back Better (TBBB).

The team met weekly at the Harambee Admin Building located at 3903 Almeda Rd. And to continue serving the people, Mr. Parker and team worked to get that building certified and operational, especially for the children. “Deloyd never stopped. He was the driving force for everything. He made sure that someone was taking care of licenses and that this place was being refigured. His whole goal was to have these kids back and in a safe environment,” said Ms. Ward. “We have served the people for 57 years and as a result of serving the people, the people are coming through,” said Mr. Parker. “It’s going to take more than a fi re to put us out.

Volunteers from the community stepped up to help at Harambee Admin Building. Many programs, events and activities have resumed including the weekly Elders Institute of Wisdom and enrollment is now open for the 2026-2027 After School Enrichment Program. Soft opening scheduled for November The desire was to reopen the gutted Live Oak location within a year but Ms. Ward and Mr. Cave described the many challenges SHAPE has faced in this rebuilding effort. The insurance did not cover everything that’s needed and tariffs

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Based on reporting by African-American News and Issues – Dallas.