DCAEYC

After the March 18 rally, DCAEYC met with staff from Mayor Bowser’s Office of Community Affairs to press for early childhood funding. The budget is not final. There is still time to fight the proposed full cut to the Pay Equity Fund. Read more: shorturl.at/6bGCB

Wednesday’s rally brought together educators, families, advocates, and leaders committed to protect early childhood in DC. We're grateful to everyone who showed up and helped make program representation possible. DCAEYC remains proud to lift this call for support and investment.

Yesterday, DC’s early childhood community showed up with strength and solidarity. Educators, families, and advocates came together to defend what children need and what early childhood education professionals deserve. DCAEYC remains committed to this fight. #DCAEYC #PayEquity

DCAEYC Executive Director Berna Artis joined early childhood educators, leaders, and advocates at today’s rally at the Wilson Building to call for protection of DC’s early childhood funding. This community is organized, engaged, and still fighting. #DCAEYC #PayEquity

A Day Without DC Child Care x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Last Friday, the Bowser Administration froze new enrollment in DC’s child care subsidy program due to funding shortfalls. Families and early childhood programs will feel the impact immediately. Join DCAEYC’s Emergency Coalition Call, Today at 5 PM. Executivedirector@dcaeyc.org

The third edition of Voices of Early Learning is now live. Our Winter 2026 issue features the January 2026 Pay Equity Update, DCAEYC and Board news, classroom support, leadership strategies, and timely DC perspectives on early learning. Read it here: shorturl.at/fCUhU

Grateful to Marcelina Romero from MSSPA (Multicultural Spanish Speaking Providers Association) for partnering with DCAEYC to lead this professional development workshop. Thank you, Marcelina, for your time and expertise.

DCAEYC, led by Executive Director Berna Artis, met this morning with Councilmember Christina Henderson’s office to urge protection of the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund and strong funding for the child care subsidy program. #DCAEYC #PayEquity #DCPolicy

Yesterday DCAEYC was at the Wilson Building for DC Council’s OSSE Performance Oversight hearing. ED Berna Artis advocated for the Pay Equity Fund and the subsidy program. Full article: shorturl.at/8ucRj #DCAEYC #PayEquity #DCPolicy #ECEProfessionals

Feb 10 Directors’ Nook finale: Travis Ballie (DC Action) convened directors and early childhood education professionals to name barriers to affordable high-quality child care in DC and move solutions forward. Join DCAEYC: shorturl.at/j9AAn #DCAEYC #DirectorsNook #Under3DC

As we wrapped up the NAEYC Public Policy Forum 2026 last week, DCAEYC also met with DC Council offices to share what ECE professionals and program leaders are experiencing right now. The focus stayed on pay equity, workforce stability, and sustained public investment. #DCAEYC

Our Executive Director, Berna Artis, joined Mayor Bowser’s FY27 Budget Engagement Forum to keep early childhood education in the conversation. Early childhood is infrastructure that supports families and DC’s mixed-delivery system. #DCAEYC #PayEquity #DCBudget

DCAEYC was proud to be represented at NAEYC’s Public Policy Forum 2026 alongside early childhood leaders nationwide. Our Executive Director, Berna Artis, served as a panelist, lifting up the urgency of the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund.

Mayor Bowser is hosting the FY27 Budget Engagement Forum on Thu, Feb 26 at 5:30 PM at Dock 5 (Union Market). Early childhood must be represented in the room. Please attend if you can, and bring families and staff. Tickets: shorturl.at/xG6Me

Want to be part of the ECE movement in DC? Join DCAEYC and stay connected to leadership sessions like Directors’ Nook: shorturl.at/Q40Ds

March 18, 2026: A Day Without Child Care in DC. The Pay Equity Fund was not included in the Mayor’s budget approach. We must protect Pay Equity and fully fund the Child Care Subsidy Program. shorturl.at/odUyU #DCAEYC #Under3DC #PayEquity

Reserva la fecha: 7 mar 2026 | 1:30 a 3:30 p. m. Taller PD DCAEYC + MSSPA con Marcelina Romero: Empoderando la práctica profesional. Fortalece tu práctica e identidad y sal con una bio lista para tu CV. Lugar por anunciar. Regístrate: tally.so/r/44xp6b #DCAEYC #MSSPA #ECE

Save the date: March 7, 2026, 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. DCAEYC + MSSPA PD workshop with Marcelina Romero, Empowering Professional Praxis. Strengthen practice, professional identity, and leave with a polished bio for your resume. Location TBA. Register: tally.so/r/44xp6b

Tomorrow is the final session of our Directors’ Nook Leadership Series, and there is still time to join us. Session 4: Leading with Vision with Travis Ballie (DC Action) Feb 10 | 1–2 PM DCAEYC Office | West Boardroom Lunch provided | Members only RSVP: forms.gle/BKV4WqhTXHRydW…