Policy Agenda

Public Policy Program

Every young child in Colorado will have access to high quality early care and education.

The Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children (CAEYC) seeks to improve early childhood education in Colorado by supporting members to be effective early childhood advocates and by collaborating with other agencies to promote public policies that address the needs of young children, their families and their teachers.

CAEYC SUPPORTS:

I. Development of Knowledge and Understanding of Children

• Developmentally appropriate practices that promote high quality care and education of young children by age, individuality, and cultural diversity as defined by the National Association of the Education of Young Children guidelines;
• Class size and adult/child ratios maintained as per age group as defined by the National Association of the Education of Young Children; and
• Legislative policies and funding that provide for efficient, effective, and appropriate practices for high quality early childhood care and education.

II. Professional Growth

• Continued education of early childhood professionals toward acquisition of degrees, credentials and competencies
• A career ladder leading early childhood professionals to a degree in-field with dedicated funding to assist them;
• Compensation commensurate with professional training and degrees;
• Training requirements that emphasize early childhood developmental theories and appropriate practices for individuals who supervise early care and education programs; and
• Complete background checks for all early care and education personnel who work with children.

III.  Educational and Developmental Resources and Services

• Increased funding for services that would improve and expand high quality early care and education;
• Improved standards and regulations promoting high quality early care and education;
• Additional regulators trained in early childhood to monitor environments;
• Screening and identification of children with developmental delays and disabilities and provision of appropriate intervention services;
• Implementation of developmentally appropriate assessment; and
• Appropriate curricula, teaching techniques, and materials for all children from birth through the primary grades.

IV. Families

• Policies and programs that strengthen families and result in improved health and self-sufficiency;
• Parental choice in early care and early education options;
• Family friendly policies by government, and employers; and
• Adequate prenatal care and education, housing, food, immunizations, and health care for ALL children.

Policy Agenda
Specific Issues

Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP)

CAEYC supports full market rate reimbursement for all programs and not less than 75% market rate reimbursement.  Eligibility levels for families should be at 85% of area median household income.

Colorado Preschool Program (CPP) 

CAEYC supports a mixed delivery system providing families with real choice and allowing all partners (public & private schools, child care, and Head Start) who are committed to high quality early education to provide CPP services with equal funding to all sites. 

Questions or problems regarding this web site should be directed to CAEYC@ColoradoAEYC.org.