Association For Early Learning Leaders

The Association for Early Learning Leaders is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has been serving directors, owners and administrators of early care and education programs since 1984.

Our Goal

Our goal is to strengthen the knowledge, skills and abilities of directors, owners, emerging leaders and other early learning pro­fessionals to ensure quality programs for young children.

Our Purpose

Networking and Collaboration

Promote and create meaningful collaborative connections among members, other professionals and national early child­hood organizations

Education and Training

Provide professional development opportunities to strengthen the leadership skills of administrators and enhance the quality of early learning programs.

Program Quality

Promote quality improvements to achieve and recognize excellence in early care and education programs.

Resource Access

Provide access to a variety of quality professional resources impacting the early childhood field.

Association Service

Our Memberships strengthen knowledge and skills through exclusive member resources, discounts, and opportunities to network and collaborate. Not yet a Director? Check out our Standard membership, perfect for students or those interested in early learning leadership.

The National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs offers programs the opportunity to demonstrate and document quality performance using research-based standards and evidence-based practices. The National Accreditation Commission provides a comprehensive ongoing quality improvement system that recognizes the diversity programs through the self-study and award process. Over 1,500 early learning programs in 38 states, the District of Columbia, and overseas participate in the accreditation process. These include but are not limited to university and college campus-based programs, private child care facilities, faith-based preschools, head starts, public preschools, corporate centers, Department of Defense programs, and employer-sponsored programs.

Join fellow leaders at our Annual National, How Successful Directors Lead National Conference devoted to serving directors, owners, and administrators dedicated to the early childhood field. Sessions by experts will focus on leadership, administration, business practices, legal issues, program quality, and more!

Early Learning Leaders collaborate with Vendor Members to ensure that professionals in the field of early care and education have access to the resources needed to provide quality programs for children. Our members include manufacturers, producers, and distributors of early learning products and services (i.e., manufacturers of furniture, playground equipment, educational materials, and toys; publishers of children’s books, curriculum, training, and leadership/administration publications; technology developers and providers of computer hardware/software for program administration and classroom; nonprofit organizations and state agencies).