MaineAEYC
Upcoming Events
Budget Hearing Rally
Budget Hearing Rally
Save the Date!
TENTATIVE RESCHEDULED DATE - February 24, 2025
More Information coming soon!
9am-12pm
Join MaineAEYC on February 13th at the State House in Augusta for the Child Care Budget Hearing Rally. This event will bring together advocates, families, and providers to voice support for opposing the budget cuts that would devastate the early education field. Take advantage of the opportunity to testify in opposition of these proposed budget cuts or be active as a participant in the rally!
State House Day
Join us for a powerful day of advocacy and engagement as educators, leaders, and CTE students come together at the State House to emphasize the critical importance of early education and care. This event provides an opportunity to connect with legislators, share impactful stories, and highlight the value of quality child care in shaping our future. Let’s champion early childhood education and ensure every child has a strong foundation for success!
Early Childhood State House Day Grants for Week of the Young Child
This year, State House Day aligns with the Week of the Young Child, and MaineAEYC is offering up to 10 mini-grants of $400 to help programs attend this important event. This is your chance to showcase the vital work of early childhood caregivers and educators while connecting with legislators and community partners about child care issues at the state level.
📅Event Date: April 8, 2025
💵Grant Includes: $400stipend + a table/spaceat State House Day
🎨Bring Your Creativity: Interactiveand hands onmaterials encouraged to engage legislators and highlight the impact of early education.
We want policymakers to feel what early childhood education brings to Maine! Children are welcome!
A mandatory webinar for grant recipients will be held on March 5, 2025, at 7 PM, offering guidance on engaging with legislators and tips for creating impactful vendor tables. Don’t miss this chance to amplify your voice and advocate for early childhood education!
As you brainstorm for how you might plan your space/materials here are some things to consider: *There is a security checkpoint which most things are allowed to pass except for scissors or other objects that could be considered sharp or used a weapon. *You can bring in food and drinks, MaineAEYC will also have a snack table available.*We recommend thinking of how you would transport materials from the parking lot to the State House Hall of Flags. Suitcases and rolling carts are great for this purpose.
Post Card Writing Advocacy Event
MaineAEYC is partnering with Seedlings to Sunflowers in Gorham to host an advocacy event for childcare educators, administrators, parents, business leaders, and stakeholders.
Our goal is for everyone to come together to participate in advocacy action items such as letter writing, how to submit testimony, and sharing the impact of proposed budget cuts to childcare.
Location: Seedlings to Sunflowers 3 Industrial Parkway, Suite 100, Gorham, ME 04038
Phone: (207) 591-0399
Time: 5:30-7:30 pm
Play Date
Celebrate MaineAEYC's 20th Anniversary with our inaugural Play Date! Join us for a full-day conference designed for individuals caring for and educating young children. The workshops will emphasize play-based learning during the early years and how educators can foster free play while promoting healthy child development.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 26th, at the Wells Conference Center on the University of Maine Orono's campus. We are thrilled to have Kristen RB Peterson, a play advocate, joining us! Stay tuned for more play workshops to be revealed in the upcoming months.
Learn more about Kirsten here:
