Our programs
Iowa AEYC offers a variety of programs to help early childhood professionals build their skills and provide high quality education for young children.
The latest from Iowa AEYC
Save the Date!
Join the Iowa Child Care Coalition on February 10, 2026, to discuss important child care issues with lawmakers. We want YOU to join us to make YOUR voice heard!
More information will be sent out in the coming months. To stay as up to date as possible, subscribe to our Iowa AEYC Newsletter!
iowaaeyc.us22.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=469f60d9f6e5c61cf61150391&id=d5a22a0d46
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🌟 We are hiring! 🌟
If you’re looking for a new role in the early childhood profession, we would encourage you to apply to be a TEACH Counselor! Our TEACH Counselors work alongside early childhood professionals looking to earn more education in the field.
This is a full-time position located at our West Des Moines office!
For more information on the position and the application, please visit our website: iowaaeyc.org/about-us/employment/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOT7ptleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE0Z2xLbTZWUTlJWXVCTl…
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🚨Today is the day!🚨
We are calling on our Early Childhood Education community for support! Your donation today can help make an immediate impact for educators across the state of Iowa!
Donate easily here: iowaaeyc.org/donate/
#GivingTuesday #earlychildhoodeducation #givetoday
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⏰Time is running out to donate!⏰
This year, Iowa AEYC is raising funds to make professional development more accessible to early childhood educators!
Our goal: provide 10 first-year memberships to early care and education professionals across Iowa ✨
A membership with Iowa AEYC opens the door to professional development conferences, trainings, and meetings with highly respected industry leaders! This happens through:
🔹Our annual in-person Spring and Fall Institutes
🔹Interest-based Professional Engagement Group meetings and trainings, both online and in-person
🔹NAEYC’s Annual Conference
🔹Week of the Young Child and Day Without Child Care
🔹Member meetings
Donate Today! iowaaeyc.org/donate/
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Our Fall Institute Commitment to Young Children Award Winner – Katie Dreyer
Katie has had a passion for high-quality learning experiences for children for years. Working as the Youth Services Librarian in Pella, she has provided interactive story time and has helped children select books on any topic they are interested in. Katie has especially brought the energy to Pella’s first Week of the Young Child by helping find community supporters, a meeting space, and facilitating the event. For the 2024 event, she was excited to do it all again and worked on promotions in partnership with the schools, city, and local radio station. She helped contact family-centered agencies to help facilitate the event and made arrangements to host it at the library.
Through virtual and in-person story time, creating safe spaces to explore at the library, Book Bash events, and in so many other community events she contributes to, Katie makes young children feel seen and excited about learning. Katie goes above and beyond her job description to create positive early learning experiences and community partnerships for children and their families.
Do you know a leader in the Early Childhood Education field who should be nominated for next year’s awards?
Nominate them here: iowaaeyc.org/membership/nominations-awards/
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Congrats, Miss Katie! 🥳 Thank you for all you do for Pella Families! 
Congratulations to Katie! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Giving Tuesday is getting closer – donate today!
This year, Iowa AEYC is raising funds to make professional development more accessible to early childhood educators!
Our goal: provide 10 one-year memberships to early care and education professionals across Iowa
A membership with Iowa AEYC opens the door for access to the latest updates, toolkits, and events in the early care and education profession! This happens through:
🔹Our bi-monthly newsletter
🔹Post your jobs on our job board
🔹Toolkits to participate in events like the Week of the Young Child and Day Without Child Care
🔹Resources that are regularly posted onto our social media accounts
Donate today: iowaaeyc.org/donate/
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Our Cedar Rapids Advocacy Training was a success!
We had a great turnout at our most recent Advocacy Training. Participants connected with their local State Senator, Representative Art Staed, and learned directly from Representative Tracy Ehlert, who led a session on Early Childhood Advocacy and the Iowa Legislature. Senator Liz Bennet also attended to hear directly from members of the early childhood workforce and learn more about their experiences.
Does this training sound interesting to you?
Join us for our upcoming virtual training on December 2nd: ccmis.dhs.state.ia.us/trainingregistry/TrainingRegistry/CourseDetail?id=OMzh63RtxTQ%3d
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It was a good time! I wanna go back for more
It should be required of all early childhood educators! Thank you.
Congratulations to these outstanding early care and education professionals on earning their CDA® Credential!
Congratulations to Amy Franco from Story City and Sherry Vodraska from a C2 home in Cherokee
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Our Fall Institute Educator of the Year Award Winner – Dawn Johnson
With over 30 years of experience, Dawn exemplifies the highest standards of excellence, innovation, and unwavering commitment to her preschoolers and profession. Even following a cancer diagnosis, she showed remarkable resilience, continuing to write lesson plans and connect with her preschoolers via Zoom throughout her recovery. In the classroom, Dawn is a champion of developmentally appropriate practice, creating a vibrant space where child-led inquiry thrives. Several of her innovative projects have been featured in professional publications and books, and her STEM-focused work has gained statewide recognition, including being part of the only preschool group to present at the Iowa STEM Day at the Capitol. Dawn inspires colleagues, engages families, and changes the lives of the children she teaches.
Do you know a leader in the Early Childhood Education field who should be nominated for next year’s awards?
Nominate them here: iowaaeyc.org/membership/nominations-awards/
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Congrats, Dawn Johnson! Very deserving! 🫶
It’s the giving season!
This year, Iowa AEYC is raising funds to make professional development more accessible to early childhood educators!
Our goal: provide 10 first-year memberships to early care and education professionals across Iowa ✨
A membership with Iowa AEYC opens the door to having your voice heard at the local, state, and federal levels for early childhood advocacy! This happens through:
🔷 Advocacy-specific professional development
🔷 NAEYC’s Public Policy Forum
🔷 Community advocacy events, such as Day on the Hill, ‘Week of the Young Child’, and ‘Day Without Child Care’
Donate Today! iowaaeyc.org/donate/
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🗓️ November 19, 2025
⏱️ 6:30-8:00 pm
💻 Join us on Zoom: us02web.zoom.us/j/81729044014
Join us for “Big Moves in Small Spaces,” an information-packed virtual meeting full of ideas to support gross motor development indoors!
Learn how to create simple, engaging, and budget-friendly activities that build strength, balance, and coordination – perfect for when outdoor play isn’t possible.
Hosted by Family Child Care PEG
#ProfessionalDevelopment #ProfessionalEngagement #familychildcare
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The Iowa AEYC Professional Engagement Group (PEG) Co-Chairs recently met for their November meeting!
They spent time collaborating and planning upcoming virtual and in-person events happening across the state – all focused on connecting, engaging, and supporting early childhood professionals.
Be sure to follow us to stay up to date on PEG events that could be coming to your area or virtually!
#ProfessionalDevelopment #ProfessionalEngagement #earlychildhoodeducation
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These are incredible volunteers, serving, leading and welcoming early childhood professionals.
Great group of committed individuals!!🥰🥰
Engage with us
Get involved through action and advocacy, making a gift to our organization, or connecting with other early childhood professionals through our membership network.
Get Involved
Make a difference by participating in advocacy events or joining one of our Professional Engagement Groups.
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Your donation supports training and professional development initiatives and connects early childhood educators to tools and resources.
Become a member
Connect with other early childhood educators in your area and take part in professional development opportunities.