December 21, 2024
The Missouri Association for the Education of Young Children (MOAEYC) was established as a state affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in the 1960s. Serving those who work with and on behalf of young children, MOAEYC was an all-volunteer organization until September 1999.
For over 55 years, MOAEYC has provided access to resources, advocacy information, and professional development opportunities to its members. Additionally, it has served as a communications link among local AEYC affiliates in Missouri, and between these affiliates and National.
Mission
MOAEYC , like NAEYC, promotes high-quality early learning for all children, birth though 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate , and work on behalf of young children.
Vision
All young children thrive and learn in a society dedicated to ensuring they reach their full potential.
Core Values
Appreciate childhood as a unique and valuable stage of the human life cycle.
Base our work on the knowledge of how children develop and learn.
Appreciate and support the bond between the child and family.
Recognize that children are best understood and supported in the context of family, culture, community , and society
Respect the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each individual (child, family, member, and colleague).
Respect diversity in children, families, and colleagues.
Recognize that children and adults achieve their full potential in the context of relationships that are based on trust and respect.
Bylaws
The bylaws are reviewed and revised as the board feels is warranted to continue meeting the needs of the organization and to move forward with ever changing technology and communication.
History
In 1996, the organization developed goals, objectives and strategies in the areas of organizational effectiveness, professional growth and development, and public policy/advocacy. In early 1999, the AEYC-MO Governing Board achieved several of these goals with the opening of a state office and the hiring of an executive director. Successful implementation of many of these goals has resulted in improved membership support, especially in the area of advocacy.
Beginning in 2000, the board responded to NAEYC’s national plan for restructuring the organization from top to bottom, which required application for re-affiliation by all state affiliates. By July of 2002, the board had reorganized the state structure to move from 13 local affiliate chapters to four, covering the whole state, and had adopted a new, streamlined board composition and structure. By the end of 2003, MOAECY had developed new policies and procedures for operations, financial management, programs and services, membership, and continuing organizational development. Having met all the new standards set for re-affiliation, MOAEYC was again granted affiliate status by NAEYC in March 2004.
A significant aspect of the standards for reaffiliation was the development of an outcomes-based strategic plan. In July 2003, the AEYC-MO board approved a three-year strategic plan for implementation in 2004 - 2006. The plan includes 10-15 year outcomes with measurable indicators, three-year goals, and one-year objectives. Outcomes and goals cover Financial and Business Administration, Professional Development, Marketing/Public Relations, Membership, Public Policy and Communications, Governance, Leadership, and Affiliate Relations.
The path forward has now lead to a new restructuring in 2017, with a common Vision Statement, Mission and branding for all affiliates of NAEYC. In Missouri specifically, steps are being undertaken to create more local chapters, to support professional development at a local level and encourage networking with local partners in the early childhood field. MOAEYC was recognized by NAEYC as a sustaining affiliate in the 2016 approval process, after meeting strenuous guidelines developed by NAEYC and coming out of the five years of National Dialogue meetings, where members and leaders expressed many opinions and feelings about the relationship between the affiliates and the national office. From those meetings ideas for improvements and support were discussed and steps were taken to streamline operations for the affiliates moving forward, as well as new membership categories and dues structures. As this website goes live we are just now beginning to experience the real differences being made in this structure, and we look forward to the growth of the Missouri Early Childhood community as we develop more localized opportunities for engagement as NAEYC and MOAEYC members.