In partnership with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), MDAEYC is committed to developing a system of quality early care and education, birth to age 8, and supporting a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession. To achieve these goals, MDAEYC informs members and allies about local, state, and federal policies and advocates on behalf of the early care and education workforce, allied professionals, and families with young children.
MDAEYC 2025 Public Policy Agenda
The Maryland Association for the Education of Young Children promotes high-quality early learning for all children, birth through age 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.
In order to fully deliver on the promise of high-quality early learning for all children, MDAEYC believes that Maryland and our nation must prioritize and implement a bold vision that is rooted in the early years by:
- Defining and fully funding access to high-quality early childhood education at scale, regardless of state or setting.
- Ensuring that early childhood professionals are diverse, effective educators and leaders working within a compensation and recognition system that supports their excellence.
- Ensuring that all families can choose among options that meet high-quality standards and afford the early learning setting that is right for them.
MDAEYC will work in support of the following three public policy goals:
- Monitor implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, our state’s education reform law.
- Preserve state and federal investments in early childhood education,
- Support initiatives and investments that strengthen the early childhood education workforce.
MDAEYC is a state affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and we share and endorse NAEYC’s public policy agenda.
MDAEYC’s Public Policy contacts:
- Christina Lopez, President: christina.lopez@mdaeyc.org
- Flora Gee, Public Policy Chair: flora.gee@mdaeyc.org
- Arlene Ennis, Public Policy Committee: arlene.ennis@mdaeyc.org
- Stephanie Schaefer, Program Coordinator: stephanie.schaefer@mdaeyc.org
Public policy information from previous legislative sessions
MDAEYC Position Statements
2020: Position Statement on Kirwan Commission Recommendations
Maryland Public Policy Updates
2020: COVID-19 Resources for Early Childhood Education Providers
2020: Blueprint for Maryland’s Future / Kirwan Commission resources