News and Updates from VAECE

For Immediate Release                                                            
January 17, 2012                                                                                                  

For more information, contact:
Pat Victorson
703-730-7449
mvictors@verizon.net

State Association Members Meet with Members of the Virginia General Assembly in
Richmond: Advocate for Continued Support for Quality Early Childhood Education

Richmond, VA — Twenty members of the Virginia Association for Early Childhood Education (VAECE) traveled to Richmond, Virginia, on January 15 and 16 to participate in “Capital Steps” the annual VAECE advocacy event that provides advocacy training and congressional visits. The group called on their elected officials to continue legislative support of programs and initiatives that promote quality early childhood care and education.

“Early years are learning years. If we want our children to succeed in school, we must support their development and learning before they reach the school house door,” said Toni Cacace-Beshears, the president of the VAECE. “High-quality early childhood education provides children with a foundation for learning, and we urge the legislators to support working families by helping to raise the quality of early childhood programs in Virginia.”

The meetings in Richmond followed grassroots advocacy training that included an overview of current legislation and the “state of the state” in early childhood education. Guest speakers included Chris Spanos of Spanos Consulting, John Morgan from Voices for Virginia’s Children and Delegate Betsy Carr (D-Richmond).

VAECE advocates a comprehensive effort to improve the access to and quality of early
childhood education, including:

• Improving the health and safety of programs;
• Using developmentally appropriate practices to encourage literacy and learning from birth;
• Supporting the family’s crucial role in early education;
• Ensuring that all children have the opportunity to participate in high quality learning Programs; and
• Providing professional development opportunities and adequate compensation for teachers and staff.

Founded in 1956, VAECE is a membership organization of more than 2,000 early childhood professionals dedicated to improving the quality of early education programs for children birth through age eight.

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