Wisconsin Early Childhood Association

You + $1 = $17

When you invest just $1 into early childhood education, studies have shown it can return up to $17, creating opportunities for children that last a lifetime.

Creating a healthier Wisconsin, one child at a time. The WECA Food Program helps family child care providers serve millions of meals each year to children across Wisconsin. For a young child, a nutritious meal today is the opportunity to live a healthy life tomorrow.

A professional community for early childhood educators

WECA membership provides early childhood professionals the opportunity to belong to and grow within a community. Members receive benefits designed to advance their professional knowledge and strengthen the early childhood workforce.

T.E.A.C.H. Program

A stronger workforce, one scholarship at a time! In 2011, the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program awarded 1,175 scholarships to child care professionals, 49% more than in 2010, and 63% more than in 2009.

One conference. Endless opportunity.

The WECA Annual Conference provides early childhood educators an opportunity to learn from the field’s leading experts as well as peers. The Annual Conference brings together Wisconsin’s early education community to focus on building a stronger future for Wisconsin’s children.

REWARD Program

Rewarding child care professionals for their commitment to the field is one of the best ways to reduce turnover. With a turnover rate of less than 1%, REWARD salary stipend recipients are providing children with lasting social-emotional benefits.

YoungStar Program

As one of the organizations administering YoungStar, WECA is focused on improving  the quality of Wisconsin’s child care programs. In 2011, YoungStar staff provided close to 6,000 on-site visits to family and group providers, worked one-on-one with 846 child care professionals to provide education and training assistance, and awarded approximately $800,000 in micro-grants designed to strengthen child care quality.

April 11, 2012

Advocacy in Action

Want information on legislative changes for Wisconsin child care providers? Our blog focuses on early childhood issues, policy, and funding.

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April 10, 2012

Our 2011 Annual Report is Here!

Over 250,000 Wisconsin children live in poverty according to the most recent census. But WECA and early childhood educators are fighting back, providing children with opportunities that can last a lifetime. Take a look at our 2011 Annual Report to learn more about the opportunities that early childhood education is creating for Wisconsin's children.

Download the 2011 Annual Report

Good food for children and a financial boost for child care providers!

Scholarship opportunities for early childhood educators.

Wisconsin's Quality Rating and Improvement System

Rewarding child care professionals for their commitment to the field.

April 27, 2011

Read WECA's Newest Research Publication

Take a look at WECA's newest research publication: Child Care Professionals in 2010: The View From Wisconsin. The authors present a comprehensive look at the strengths, trends, and needs of the child care workforce.

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