Early Care and Education Professionals
Events
Igniting Connections Annual Early Childhood Symposium
Our annual symposium on Early Childhood Education (ECE) is a networking and learning opportunity for ECE professionals in and around the New River Valley (NRV). The event includes seminars taught by local leaders and hands-on sessions where participants can collaborate, share ideas and gain deeper understanding on the event's focus topics.
Resources for ECE Professionals
Advocacy
Voices for Virginia’s Children
Virginia’s only independent, multi-issue child policy and advocacy organization that focuses on children’s needs, with a focus on early childhood, foster care and adoption, health and mental health, and family economic security.
VA Promise Partnership
A coalition of leading organizations working together to ensure all Virginia families have access to affordable, quality child care by 2030.
NRV Cares: Community Education
The New River Valley Child Advocacy, Resources, Education, and Services is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting children and strengthening families.
Educator Credentialing and Professional Development
CDA Council
The Council for Professional Recognition advances career pathways for early childhood educators through high-quality, competency-based credentialing.
Child Care Aware of Virginia
An important resource for the professional growth of child care providers across the state. Their regional offices provide child care programs with training and technical assistance services, including free classes for all providers to meet licensing requirements.
New River Community College (NRCC)
NRCC's programs in Early Childhood Development are designed to prepare highly-skilled graduates for employment in a variety of early childhood settings, or to update and enrich the capacities of those already employed in the child development field.
Scholarships and Workforce Development Opportunities for ECE Professionals
Early Childhood Education professionals and local leaders can find additional resources to support their careers, businesses, and ultimately have a positive impact on the New River Valley.
Virginia Association for the Education of Young Children (VAAEYC)
Serves Virginia early educators with local public policy support, accreditation support, professional development, and connections. For the local Facebook group, visit NRV VAAEYC.
Supplies and Resources
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University
The Center’s mission is to leverage the power of science in pursuit of better, more equitable outcomes for young children facing adversity.
Child Development | Child Development | CDC
Contains resources related to healthy habits, data and statistics, child development, parenting, and more.
Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse: Supporting Language Development
Introduces parents and caregivers to information related to language development.
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
A professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research.
New River Creative Reuse Center
Collects clean, unwanted items and materials that might otherwise go to the landfill or conventional recycling and makes them available at no cost to local educators for use in art and other classroom projects.
The National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations
Works to improve state and local capacity to implement, scale-up, and sustain effective practices and policies to equitably support the social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes of young children with, and at risk for, developmental delays or disabilities.
STEM for Inclusion in Early Education (STEMIE)
Elevates early childhood professionals, faculty, and families’ competence and confidence in early STEM learning for young children with and without disabilities.
Zero To Three | Leading the Way in Early Childhood Development
A non-profit centered on supporting the healthy development of infants and toddlers by empowering parents, caregivers, professionals, and policymakers with the knowledge and tools they need to nurture early development.
The list of resources, programs, and organizations, external and not affiliated with the university, are for informational purposes and are not endorsed by Virginia Tech. Please consult the necessary professionals, including medical and financial, to determine what is most suitable for your particular needs.