Idaho Association For The Education Of Young Children

The Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (Idaho AEYC) functions as the state affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, which is the largest early childhood organization in the United States. In Idaho, there are five local chapters: North Idaho AEYC, Eastern Idaho AEYC, Snake River AEYC, Treasure Valley AEYC, and Palouse Area AEYC. Our vision is to motivate and guide those who influence the lives of children in Idaho, promoting the belief that every child in the state deserves a fulfilling childhood that enables them to reach their full potential. We aim to enhance the quality of life for young children and their families in Idaho by (1) advancing professional practices in early care and education, (2) fostering public awareness and support, and (3) creating and sustaining a robust, diverse, and inclusive organization. Idaho AEYC oversees several initiatives, including the IdahoSTARS Professional Development System, which comprises a Registry, Career Pathway, Incentives and Scholarships, Mentor/Coaches, the Reaching the STARS Quality Rating System, Trainer and Training Approval, and seven Regional Child Care Resource and Referral Offices. Additionally, we offer scholarships aimed at improving educational qualifications for those working in child care centers and family child care homes, making education more affordable, enhancing wages, and decreasing staff turnover. These scholarships support various educational paths, including Child Development Associate (CDA) Credentials, Early Childhood Associate Degrees, technical certificates, or Bachelor's Degrees in early childhood education. The Mentoring for Early Care and Education Project (M.E.C.E.) seeks to cultivate a network of qualified professionals across Idaho's seven regions. Through the IdahoSTARS initiative, early care and education practitioners and directors can receive financial support for mentoring services in areas such as the Idaho Quality Child Care Apprenticeship program, Individual Projects, Accreditation support, Environment Assessments, and Child Care Health Consultants. M.E.C.E. is currently open for applications from both mentors and providers seeking mentoring or coaching. Eligibility for these mentoring services requires enrollment in the IdahoSTARS Professional Development system. The IdahoSTARS Quality Child Care Rating System, piloted in 2008, aims to ensure a fair and equitable assessment process for child care programs, providing technical assistance and reassessment that leads to a STAR rating from 1 to 5 stars. This rating system helps parents gauge the quality of care based on nationally recognized standards in early childhood education. A vital aspect of the Quality Rating System is the STRENGTHENING FAMILIES training, which empowers child care providers to engage parents in program planning and connect them to community services. The Idaho STATE TRAINING AND REGISTRY SYSTEM (IdahoSTARS) oversees the eligibility of Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP) providers for subsidy payments, Parent Child Care Referrals, Child Care Resource & Referral across all seven regions of Idaho, and the Professional Development System for child care professionals. Services are available in both English and Spanish. For intake procedures, please reach out for more information.