About VAECE

Who is VAECE?

The Virginia Association for Early Childhood Education (VAECE) has its roots in the Virginia Council on Social Work. Efforts began in 1955 to bring together child care personnel and others interested in preschool children. In 1956, 60 persons attended a Child Care Preschool Institute in Roanoke. A year later, more than 200 persons met, adopted a constitution, and selected the name -- Virginia Association for Early Childhood Education. Current membership is now over 2,000.

A major step in the professional development of the association and of the membership was achieved in 1969 with VAECE's affiliation with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). In 1972 VAECE affiliated with the Southern Early Childhood Association (SECA).

Mission Statement
VAECE acts and speaks on behalf of all young children in Virginia.

Purpose
The Purpose of this organization is to serve and act on behalf of the needs and rights of all young children and to work with all groups serving the interest and well being of children in Virginia. Some of the particular concerns of VAECE are:

• To promote the professional growth of persons working with young children.
• To improve the availability and quality of developmental and educational services and resources for young children.
• To advocate for and promote public policy decisions which improve the quality of life for young children and their families.
• To support, disseminate and utilize research related to the well being and education of young children.