MaineAEYC
Upcoming Events
Save the Date for 2025’s Statewide ECE Conference
Birth Through Eight Across the State: Maine’s Statewide
Early Childhood Education Conference
Join us for Maine’s premier event for early childhood professionals! This two-day conference, happening October 24-25, 2025, at the Holiday Inn By The Bay in Portland, brings together educators, administrators, and advocates to explore innovative strategies, share best practices, and inspire excellence in early childhood education.
Through dynamic workshops, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, attendees will gain valuable insights to address today’s challenges and enhance their impact on young learners. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the field, this conference offers something for everyone.
REGISTRATION
Early Bird Registration opens May 12th through May 31st
General Registration opens June 1st through October 10th
SCHEDULE OF DAY
Friday October 24th
8:00am-9:00am Registration and Networking
8:00am -4pm Registration Open
8:00am-8:30 Networking and small breakfast
8:30am-10:00 am Breakout Session #1
10:30-12:00 Keynote
12:00-1:00 Lunch and Networking
1:00-2:00 Breakout session 2
2:15-4:15 Breakout Session #3
Saturday October 25th –
8:00am-9:00am Registration and Networking
8:00am -4pm Registration Open
8:00am-8:30 Networking and small breakfast
8:30am-10:00 am Breakout Session #1
10:30-12:00 Keynote
12:00-1:00 Lunch and Networking
1:00-2:00 Breakout session 2
2:15-4:15 Breakout Session #3
Calling All Vendors
We’re looking for amazing vendors to join us at the upcoming Maine Statewide Early Childhood Education Conference! Whether you offer educational materials, kid-friendly products, books, crafts, or services that support young children and educators— this is your chance to connect directly with an audience of 750 early childhood educators!
Event Date: October 24th-October 25th, 2025
Location: Holiday Inn by the Bay, Portland Maine
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to showcase your offerings, make meaningful connections, and be part of a vibrant community supporting young learners!
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.
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!
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:
