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Virginia Assocition for Early Childhood Education
620 London Street
Portsmouth, VA 23704
1.888.228.2323
vaecehotline@aol.com


VAECE Past Presidents:

  • 1957-1959 Jane Moncure
  • 1959-1960 Alice Powell*
  • 1960-1961 Bonnie King* (completing Alice Powell’s term)
  • 1961-1963 Bonnie King*
  • 1963-1965 Alice Powell*
  • 1965-1967 Margaret Browning
  • 1967-1969 Jane Goldman
  • 1969-1971 Florence Mason
  • 1971-1973 Mildred Dickerson
  • 1973-1975 Charles Caldwell* (first time a president-elect was designated in the minutes)
  • 1975-1977 Shirley Farrier
  • 1977-1979 Lois Fears
  • 1979-1981 Evelyn Bickham
  • 1981-1983 Johnnie Humphrey
  • 1983-1985 Helen Richardson
  • 1985-1987 Ruth Steinbrunner
  • 1987-1989 Lucille Everhart
  • 1989-1991 Janet Sawyers
  • 1991-1993 Victoria Fu
  • 1993-1995 Pearl L. Waxman
  • 1995-1997 Carole B. Whitener
  • 1997-1998 Malcom Cole*
  • 1998-1999 Ann Marie Leonard (completing Malcom Cole’s term)
  • 1999-2001 Ann Marie Leonard
  • 2001-2003 Toni Cacace-Beshears
  • 2003-2005 Mary Margaret Gardiner
  • 2005-2007 Edyth Wheeler

(*deceased)



Organizational History
Highlights of VAECE History



1956

  • Virginia Council of Social Work sponsored an institute for training child care personnel. Fifty people attended.
  • A study committee was appointed for future planning endeavors. A study Committee consisting of twelve members with Jane Moncure as chairperson, met. A constitution was prepared for an organization to be called the Virginia Association for Early Childhood Education. An annual membership fee of $1.00 was recommended.

1957

  • Two hundred participants at a Virginia Council of Social Work Institute became charger members of VAECE. The proposed constitution with four basic objectives for the organization was adopted.
  • A planning committee was appointed for the 1958 conference. A Virginia Association for Early Childhood Education was published.
  • Three groups became the first informal affiliates of VAECE: Tidewater Preschool Association, Northern Virginia Private Schools Association, and Northern Virginia Cooperative Teachers.
  • Two VAECE leaders contributed to the revision of the Virginia Department of Education publication, Nursery Schools & Kindergartens: A Guide to Self-Improvement. This work instated the organization's position as a professional resource within the state.

1958

  • The first VAECE Conference was held at the Roslyn Episcopal Conference Center, the only Richmond area facility which would accept a racially integrated group.

1958-63

  • VAECE members worked on behalf of a preschool registration bill. Although the bill never passed, the effort represented the first significant legislative initiative for VAECE.

1963

  • Cooperative efforts were initiated between VAECE and the Virginia Department of Welfare and Institutions to provide training for child care and nursery school workers across the state.

1963-64

  • VAECE unsuccessfully sought a revision of Nursery Schools & Kindergartens: A Guide to Self-Improvement.

1966

  • The Virginia General Assembly passed legislation, supported by VAECE, providing for state funding for public school kindergartens-the organization's first major public policy success.

1966-67

  • Two VAECE members served on a thirteen-member committee appointed by the State Department of Education for the preparation of A Guide for Kindergarten Education, published n 1968.

1967

  • VAECE Awarded scholarships to graduate students in early childhood education to help answer the state's need for prepared kindergarten teachers.

1969

  • VAECE affiliated with NAEYC.
  • Piedmont AECE affiliated with VAECE.

1971

  • A formal policy for local chapter affiliation was adopted.
  • Southwestern Virginia AECE became the first chapter to be affiliated under the new procedures.
  • The first two-day board retreat was held. NAEYC provided assistance for a leadership workshop to plan for more comprehensive programs for child advocacy.
  • The newsletter's name was changed to Viewpoint.

1972

  • VAECE hosted the annual SACUS Conference in Richmond. VAECE affiliated with SACUS. Thereafter, VAECE membership included SACUS/NAEYC membership.

1973

  • VAECE Established the office of Vice President for Affiliate Chapters.
  • Valley AEYC affiliated with VAECE.
  • A former VAECE was named chairperson of the Week of the Young Child Committee for NAEYC.
  • VAECE members participated actively in the Governor's Conference on Day Care Needs in Virginia. VAECE endorsed the conference recommendations and provided financial assistance for publishing the conference report.

1974

  • The office of Vice President for Commissions was established by appointment. Commissions were named and charged with responsibility for developing white papers on current children's issues.
  • The VAECE Award for Outstanding Service to Young Children in Virginia was instituted.
  • Northern Virginia AEYC was affiliated with VAECE.

1974-75

  • VAECE supported a resolution creating a VALC (Virginia Legislative Committee) study on the needs of young children in Virginia. Testimony by VAECE members contributed to the committee's work.

1976

  • House Bill 612, resulting from VALC study, was introduced to the General Assembly. VAECE supported the bill which proposed a Division for Children.
  • Richmond Area AECE and Williamsburg AECE became affiliate groups.

1977

  • HB 612 creating a Division for Children under the Governor's office passed the General Assembly.
  • VAECE Kindergarten Position Paper was printed and distributed.

1978

  • The Division for Children was established. Two VAECE members were appointed to the Division for Children's Advisory Board. One served as the first Chair.
  • Richmond Area AECE developed a publication and a slide-tape presentation of A Guide to Child Advocacy.
  • A student affiliate at James Madison University was established.

1979

  • House Bill 276, established exemption for church-related child care centers from licensure, passed the General Assembly.
  • VAECE contributed $1,000 to the legal fund to challenge HB 276. The International Year of the Child was celebrated. Three VAECE members received the International Year Distinguished Service Award.

1980

  • VAECE hosted the annual SACUS Conference in Roanoke. SACUS re-organized governance with direct representation from each state. VAECE elected its first SACUS representative.

1981

  • VAECE established a Week of the Young Child Subsidy and a newsletter Subsidy for affiliate groups.
  • VAECE published a position paper on Care and Education of Infants and Toddlers in Virginia.

1982

  • Central Virginia AEYC was affiliated with VAECE.

1983

  • VAECE published a revision of Kindergarten in Virginia.

1984

  • Prince William AEYC and the New River Valley AEYC were affiliated with VAECE.
  • The constitution is changed to allow for election of officers by mail ballot.
  • VAECE published a position paper on The Primary Years in Virginia.
  • A past VAECE president was elected SACUS president.

1985

  • A VAECE member was elected to the NAEYC Governing Board for a 1985-89 term.
  • VAECE presented a resolution to the NAEYC Board emphasizing the importance of the primary years and seeking the establishment of a Primary Track at the annual NAEYC conference.
  • VAECE Adopted a Legislative Agenda for the 1986 General Assembly.
  • Attendance at the annual VAECE conference exceeded 1,000 participants.

1986

  • Thirteen Virginia programs were accredited during the first year of the NAEYC's Center Accreditation Program.
  • Radford University AEYC, a student group, was affiliated.
  • VAECE unsuccessfully opposed recommended changes of the Governor's Commission on Excellence in Education related to early childhood teacher education and to programs for "at risk" four-year olds.

1987

  • A second VAECE member was elected to the NAEYC Governing Board for the 1987-91 term of office.
  • VAECE membership adopted a position statement on Missing Children/Child Abuse.
  • The Governor's Conference on Child Care: Everybody's Business was supported by VAECE's contributions to planning and participation.

1988

  • VAECE membership adopted three position statements:
    1. Programs for Four Year Old Children in Virginia.
    2. Professional Development, and
    3. School-Age Child Care in Virginia.

1989

  • VAECE published a position statement on Quality Child Care.
  • VAECE hosted the Fortieth Annual SACUS Conference in Richmond. VAECE supported the Virginia Department for Children's Child Advocacy Day.
  • Adopted and distributed the SACUS position paper on Multi-Cultural Education.
  • VAECE Primary Component Committee was formed.
  • Liaisons from the Family Day Care Association and Council for Exceptional Children were added to the VAECE board.

1990

  • The first history of VAECE published.
  • VAECE adopted and distributed two NAEYC position papers on Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Early Childhood Programs for Infants and Toddlers.
  • VAECE supported the Commonwealth of Virginia's Day of Recognition for Early Childhood and Day Care Providers.
  • Cooperated with the State Department of Home Economics by providing workshops for Occupational Child Care teachers.
  • Funded first grant for an original early childhood-oriented radio production.

1991

  • Developed a position paper on Parents as Partners.
  • Cooperated with the Virginia Department of Licensing in developing and implementing "A Program to Assist Certain Parents Choose and Monitor Child Care."
  • Retained services of a public policy consultant to maximize advocacy efforts.

1992

  • VAECE awarded a State Training Plan block grant bringing together relevant major state organizations to examine and develop an early childhood career development plan.

1993

  • First VAECE Summer Institute on Developmentally Appropriate Practices in the Primary Grades, held in Charlottesville.
  • VAECE Board structure re-organized.

1994

  • VAECE awarded grant from Virginia Council on child Day Care and Early Childhood Programs to sponsor training for child care providers in honor of Provider Recognition Day.
  • Liaison from Virginia School Age Child Care Network joined the VAECE Executive Board.

1995

  • VAECE adopted a new organizational logo using the outline of the state including the Eastern Shore as well as two representative children.
  • Two new liaison members joined the Board representing the Virginia Alliance for Children and Youth and The Virginia Cooperative Extension Service.
  • Affiliate groups numbered twenty-two.

1996

  • VAECE membership exceeded 2,800.
  • Virginia Education Association joined VAECE as a liaison group.

1997

  • VAECE had 21 Affiliate groups, but only 17 were active groups.
  • Toll free VAECE Hotline was established.
  • Viewpoint format was changed. Started to include paid advertisement.
  • President put together "Reflections" as year end report.

1998

  • First Affiliate Presidents Newsletter went out.
  • Public Policy committee developed a six year plan.
  • Produced and distributed "Virginia Works if Child Care Works" cards to the state legislators. Each one contained a fact about early care and education.
  • Board voted to develop a VAECE web page.
  • Orientation meeting for new members began at the Summer Board Retreat.

1999

  • Board voted to move VAECE files to a storage facility.
  • Liaison from Head Start appointed to serve on VAECE Board.
  • Head Start was a partner in the 2000 conference.
  • Policy manual revised.
  • New filing system for reports submitted at Board Meetings.
  • Conference Advisory Committee created, headed by a chair that would become a non-voting member.
  • Contracted out Commercial Exhibits and Registrations for the 2000 conference.
  • Current President dies during his second year term.

2000

  • Adopted mission statement " To speak and act on behalf of all young children in Virginia."
  • NAEYC asks affiliates to modify their dues so the total dues end in a "5" or a "0".
  • Added Web page and office supplies/ storage for storage of historical records.
  • Purchased two computers for conference chair and conference program chair.
  • SECA representative will serve a 3 year term.

2000

  • President, Ann Marie Leonard appointed first Affiliate Representative to the NAEYC Affiliate Council for a 3-year term.

2001

  • Special presentation to Jane Goldman for all her many years of work as VAECE Historian.
  • Dedicated a day of training to Elisabeth Forsyth, at VAECE conference.
  • SECA's Presidential Award for Child Advocacy awarded to Peg Spangenthal.
  • Board signed agreement to work with NAEYC on restructuring.
  • New mission statement approved by membership vote.
  • New conference guidelines were distributed.
  • Added Virginia State Occupational Child care.
  • NAEYC became the VAECE dues collecting agency.

2002

  • Treasurer of 2003 conference and future conference treasurers will be bonded and paid for by the affiliate conference committee.
  • Ballots for yearly election will be sent out by first class mail.
  • Dan River Regional Association of Early Childhood Education became an affiliate chapter of VAECE.
  • Jessica Flowers, from NVAEYC, received a SECA DivDev award for "Strengthening Family Connections Through Positive Approaches to Discipline."
  • Dissolution of Northern Virginia Private Schools Association.
  • Amendment to by-laws: Minutes and board business can be distributed to board members through a variety of means so that all Board members have access.

2004

  • January, submitted application for reaffiliation with NAEYC.

 

 


How to Join?


Call the VAECE Hotline for the membership application for the Affiliate Group nearest you.

1-888-22VAECE (1-888-228-2323)

   
 

 

 



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VAECE • 702 London Street • Portsmouth, VA 23704-2413 • 1.888.228.2323 • vaecehotline@aol.com