COAEYC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and is the Colorado affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Our vision is that all young children in Colorado thrive and learn in a society dedicated to ensuring they reach their full potential.
Our Mission and Philosophy

COAEYC promotes high quality education and support to children and families. We work to support early childhood educators in Colorado so that they are highly compensated and valued life-long learners, and to support young children so that they can reach their highest potential. COAEYC members are continuously using research and evidence based practices to adapt to the changing conditions and needs of young children, families, and communities in Colorado.
Our core values are defined in the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct (which you can read here) and are deeply rooted in the early childhood profession. In addition, we seek to be a high-performing, inclusive organization (HPIO) that is enriched by and continually grows from our commitment to the spectrum of diversity, as embodied by our core beliefs. We uphold these values and beliefs in all our interactions and initiatives. COAEYC collaborates with partners statewide to create a high quality early childhood system which pays early childhood educators and professionals salaries that lead to a stable, highly skilled workforce that delivers high quality education and services through advocacy, professional development, and extraordinary leadership.
Our core values are defined in the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct (which you can read here) and are deeply rooted in the early childhood profession. In addition, we seek to be a high-performing, inclusive organization (HPIO) that is enriched by and continually grows from our commitment to the spectrum of diversity, as embodied by our core beliefs. We uphold these values and beliefs in all our interactions and initiatives. COAEYC collaborates with partners statewide to create a high quality early childhood system which pays early childhood educators and professionals salaries that lead to a stable, highly skilled workforce that delivers high quality education and services through advocacy, professional development, and extraordinary leadership.
How do we serve Colorado's children and educators?
- We collaborate with early childhood professionals and other organizations to create professional development opportunities, such as accessible trainings and early childhood conferences
- We participate in multi-organizational work-groups to inform and advance early childhood policies in Colorado
- We advocate for statewide and national policies that can benefit children, families, and educators in Colorado
- We connect COAEYC members with local and national news and research that can inform and inspire their work
- We give Colorado's early childhood professionals a way to be involved in early childhood advocacy efforts
- We connect early childhood professionals so that they can share their thoughts, concerns, hopes, and collaborate on advancing early childhood in Colorado!
Who are we?
Helpful Links
- NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment (Free Digital PDF) (Order Print Copy)
- COAEYC's Strategic Plan 2018-2021
- COAEYC's IRS 990 Forms