About Us

The Hawai'i Association for the Education of Young Children (HAEYC) is a non-profit, voluntary membership organization composed of teachers, family childcare providers, caregivers, directors, advocates and those comitted to quality early childhood programs for children birth to eight.

HAEYC is the Hawaii state affiliate of the National Association of Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Now 31 years old, HAEYC grew from 123 members to over 900 members. Annually, HAEYC in collaboration with other early childhood organizations and state government offers an early childhood state confrence drawing over 1,500 participants. A Quarterly newsletter is published and available to members. HAEYC strongly advocates for improved education, health, and family support policies and programs for young children and their families at the local, state, and national government level and secures financial support from membership and local philantrophy.

HAEYC has 4 local chapters: Maui, Kauai, Big Island, and Oahu. Local chapters offer island conferences, workshops, family events and newsletters.

Through NAEYC, members have access to professional journal Young Children, professional publications, and information on conferences and resources across the nation. NAEYC also houses the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, which offers an accreditation process for early childhood programs.

Hawai'i, the Aloha State

• 954 HAEYC members of the Hawai'i's 1.25 million. (80% live in the island of Oahu.)
• 20,000 attend HAEYC activities each year.
• 78,000 children under the age of 5 live in Hawai'i
• 23% of all 3-4 year old are in licensed or licensed exempt centers operated by churches or non-profit organizations or are in homes operated by licensed or licensed exempt independent familiy child care providers. A small percent of children are in unlicensed care.
• 65 early childhood programs received national accreditation from NAEYC.

Our Accomplishments

• Developed and implemented the Hawaii Early Childhood Accreditation Project in 2002.
• Founding partner in the creation of the Good Beginnings Alliance, the first statewide early childhood education and care system in 1997 supported by the Hawai'i Community Foundation later endorsed by the Hawai'i Governor and the State Legislature.
• Established a Career Development System planning process in 1996.
• Advocated for strong licensing regulations for both preschool and infant/toddler care.
• Organizer of the Annual Early Childhood and Leadership Conference bringing together over 1,500 participants.