The mission of the Washington Association for the Education of Young Children (WAEYC) is to support, promote and advocate for:
• early learning and quality care for young children, ages birth through eight
• a broad based, inclusive, professional membership
• public policy and social change efforts related to the needs and rights of all young children and their families.

Description:
WAEYC is the Washington State affiliate of NAEYC, the nation's largest organization dedicated to improving the quality and accessibility of early care and education programs for children from birth - eight. WAEYC is comprised of nearly 2,000 members with local affiliate chapters throughout the state.

WAEYC promotes and supports training, education, and equitable compensation for staff in the early childhood profession. As supporters of early learning and quality care for young children, we advocate for public policy and social change through legislative action, program standards, and public awareness. We also encourage appropriate developmental, cultural and linguistic practices for children and families.

Early Childhood Professionals and Families:
WAEYC provides current research and relevant information on early learning topics; offers state-of-the-art resources and advice to help early childhood professionals and families enrich the educational experience of their young children; delivers a state conference with relevant and quality training, networking, and professional development opportunities; and promotes best practices among early childhood professionals.

Public Policy:
WAEYC advocates for improving early learning and quality care for children in Washington State; develops policies for statewide child care training system (STARS); provides leadership encouragement and mentorship at the local and state level; and represents the interests of early childhood professionals at both the local and state levels.

Diversity:
WAEYC promotes, supports, and respects diversity in every aspect of WAEYC’s programs, efforts and membership; offers opportunities and resources to support diverse members and leaders; collaborates with community partners to provide training, resources, and materials to support and ensure culturally relevant and anti-bias education; and promotes and supports bilingual and bicultural education.

History:
Established in 1976, WAEYC is part of the largest organization of early childhood professionals working on behalf of young children and their families. WAEYC supports nearly 2000 members throughout Washington State and is an affiliate of NAEYC, which was founded in 1926 and represents more than 100,000 educators, policymakers, and parents. The professionals we serve work in a variety of settings including child care centers, afterschool care, family child care homes, ECEAPs, Head Starts, elementary schools, part-day preschools, colleges, resource and referrals, community organizations and other professional associations.

Contact people:

Missy Harrel, (phone), (email) Tenlee Bell, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email) Michelle Kuwasaki, Assistant Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (253) 813-3646

Address:

841 N Central Ave Suite 206 Kent, WA 98032 This location is handicap accessible (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.waeyc.org

Directions:

Several major highways and freeways will lead you to our office. Here are some of the most common routes. For specific directions, you might use the following sites, which we have reviewed and utilized in generating the below. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: Kent Station, 5-10 minutes minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Liability
	Yes
Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers?
	Yes
Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18?
	Yes