Check out our Events Page for Upcoming Conference Information WHO ARE WE?

The Arlington Alliance of Early Childhood Professionals was formed to unite professionals from all types of early care and education in an effort to ensure that all providers are able to receive quality training experiences. These experiences enable the early care professional to better serve the children they care for. In 2000 the Arlington Human Services Planners revisited Childcare issues such as accessibility, affordability, and quality of care. In Spring of 2003, their report was presented to the community. Their primary recommendation was that an Arlington Child Care Commission be formed to oversee childcare issues in Arlington. The Partnership for Children (through theTarrant County Youth Collaboration) received a United Way Kid's Way Impact grant in November of 2003 to form the Arlington Child Care Council. In 2004, the ACCC formed a focus committee made of Early Childhood Professionals from all aspects of early care and education (faith-based, for-profit, non-profit, childcare homes, etc.) This focus group indicated that the need for quality training was the primary need of all types of provider. Thus the Arlington Alliance of Early Childhood Professionals was born. The Board of the AAECP is made up of Early Care and Education Professionals from varying Early Childhood avenues:

Paula Beckerman, Licensed Child Care Home Kim Bihm, Licensed Child Care Home Pam Dunbar, The Montessori Academy Dr. Jo McGovern, Arlington Independant School District Sharyn Wilding, Humpty Dumpty Day School Martha Tarrant, Faith-Based

MISSION The AAECP will value and respect all forms of Early Care and Education, unite members for greater recognition as professionals and increase the awareness of the need for quality early childhood experiences. VISION All Early Childhood Professionals will be united in the effort to ensure that all Arlington children are ready for school. ORGANIZING PRINCIPLE All Early Childhood Professionals share a vision of school readiness for children and essential needs of the early childhood professional. GUIDING PRINCIPLE All Forms of early care and education are valuable to the community. All Early Childhood Professionals share the same essential need for: a. Training/Staff Development b. Enhanced Recognition as Professionals c. Parent Involement All Early Childhood Administrative Professionals share the same essentials need for: a. Providing quality professional development b. Identifying, recruiting and retaining quality staff c. Unifying Principles such as standardized outcomes, curriculum or best practices d. Effective business management The AAECP will be implemented through the voluntary cooperation of the early care and education community with the support of the Arlington Childcare Council (ACCC).