Florida’s Early Childhood Education Professionals Help Shape the Future of the State’s Early Learning System

About 90 percent of a child's brain develops by age five, so the educational and broader influences during this timeframe can last a lifetime and impact a significant portion of society. The Florida Association for the Education of Young Children (FLAEYC), a 70-year-old organization serving the state's early childhood educators, is bringing together educators, policymakers, advocates and community leaders at its annual conference in Jacksonville, October 16-18.

"We are proud to be the preeminent voice for Florida's highly-dedicated professionals in the field of early childhood education," said Wendy Occhipinti, Executive Director, FLAEYC. "Our annual conference helps shape the state's early learning system and serves as a springboard for so many in our industry to build their careers and serve Florida's young children and their families."

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FLAEYC is pleased to be joined this year by Darnell Smith, chief of staff to Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. He will kick-off the conference with an address to attendees, including thoughts about Mayor Deegan's educational priorities.

As a statewide professional association with about 3,000 members in 66 counties, FLAEYC serves and invests in early childhood educators across Florida through its 16 chapters. This year's conference theme is The Power of Play – Imagine • Explore • Discover. Attendees will participate in interactive workshops and panel discussions, connect with peers from across Florida, share best practices, and explore resources designed to strengthen the early childhood profession. Conference programming will also address issues affecting today's early childhood workforce, including an Affordable Health Solutions information session hosted by Florida Blue, offering educators information and resources related to affordable health coverage options.

"Perhaps the greatest gifts FLAEYC has given me are support and perspective," said Janibel Torres, an early childhood educator in the Ft. Lauderdale region. "It has helped shape not only the educator I strive to be each day, but also the parent I am to my own children. The knowledge I've gained has strengthened both my professional and personal life, and I am incredibly grateful to be part of an organization that invests so deeply in educators."

Early childhood educators play a foundational role in preparing children for lifelong learning while supporting working families and communities. FLAEYC believes strengthening the profession is essential to building a stronger early learning system for the state and ensuring every child has access to high-quality, early education. It also maintains the critical mission of advocating for every early childhood educator to be respected, skilled, supported, and equitably compensated. For more information about FLAEYC and its work, visit flaeyc.org.