Governor Scott Issues Proclamation for April 6-12 to Highlight Importance of Early Childhood Education
Vermont Business Magazine The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is proud to announce Governor Phil Scott has officially declared April 6-12, 2024, as the Week of the Young Child (WOYC) in Vermont. This proclamation recognizes the importance of early childhood education in Vermont.
“Vermont is dedicated to fostering an environment that supports and sustains high-quality child care for young children,” cited the proclamation signed by Governor Scott. “Investing in early childhood education not only enhances the lives of our youngest Vermonters but also contributes to the overall prosperity and vitality of our state.”
Through the proclamation, Governor Scott encourages local communities across the state to participate in events and activities during the WOYC.
“Thank you, Governor Scott for proclaiming NAEYC’s Week of the Young Child in Vermont,” said NAEYC CEO Michelle Kang. “This proclamation – and the transformative work the state is leading to invest in the earliest years – celebrates the joy of early childhood and recognizes the role that early educators play in their communities and the profound impact they have on preparing each and every child for a successful future.”
WOYC, an annual celebration begun by NAEYC in 1971, focuses public attention on the strengths and needs of young children and families and celebrates the work that early childhood educators do to meet those needs. Throughout this week-long event, daily themes engage children in a range of activities, including Kick-off Saturday, Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, and Family Friday.
WOYC arrives as early childhood programs across the nation, and in Vermont, face the continued challenges of recruiting, compensating, and retaining enough educators and staff to meet the needs of children and families in their communities, as demonstrated through NAEYC’s January 2024 ECE field survey, which showed that the child care crisis has worsened in the wake of the expiration of federal stabilization funding in the fall of 2023. Vermont early childhood educators continue to address challenges, including staffing shortages, program closures and teacher burnout.
However, Vermont is a national leader in reversing these challenges. Its historic child care legislation and widespread support among policymakers for investing in early childhood education, and the simultaneous work by workforce leaders to advance an early childhood education profession are crucial to its success.
Academic incentives have contributed to prospective early childhood educators enrolling in preparation programs at record rates. Grants have helped programs stabilize and improve quality. And ongoing state investment makes early childhood education more affordable and accessible for families.
“Vermont has a lot to celebrate this Week of the Young Child,” said VTAEYC Executive Director Sharron Harrington. “After years of crisis, brought to a head during the pandemic, things are getting brighter. We have one of the best-educated early childhood education workforces in the country, and our young adults are increasingly attracted to early childhood education as a good career option. That is good news for our young children and their families.”
For more information, please see last week’s op-ed by Vermont educator Jen Olsen – “Giving Voice to Our Educator Identity” and contact [email protected].
About NAEYC
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. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support 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, we work to achieve a collective vision: that all young children thrive and learn in a society dedicated to ensuring they reach their full potential.
Source: Montpelier, April 8, 2024 — The National Association for the Education of Young Children
