HISTORY
The Chattanooga Area Association for the Education of Young Children can trace its beginning back to the 1940's when a group of kindergarten teachers met at the home of Mrs. Cynthia Thatcher. Kindergartens and Nursery Schools were beginning to open in Chattanooga and some of the teachers were concerned with the lack of sharing of ideas and experiences. A teachers group was formed to meet, exchange ideas and upgrade the image of kindergartens. The monthly meeting of the kindergarten teachers was held at various preschools where ideas were shared on handwork, stories, poems, finger plays and other interesting things. Discussion focused on ideas they felt would contribute to the growth and development of children.
SACUS, Southern Association on Children Under Six met in Chattanooga in 1954 and spurred the rapid growth of the Kindergarten Council. A more formal organizational structure was adopted, officers were elected and dues were assessed. Since then, the Kindergarten Council has undergone several name changes, arriving at its current affiliation with the Association for the Education of Young Children. CAAEYC is affiliated with the state-wide organization TAEYC and the national organization NAEYC, offering its members a wide range of services, information, resources and training opportunities.
CAAEYC is the professional association for childhood educators and serves Bledsoe, Bradley, Grundy, Hamilton, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Polk, Rhea and Sequatchie Counties. Annually CAAEYC sponsors Week of the Young Child activities, awards the Lu Lewis Early Childhood Teacher Award, the Hilda Avant Service to Young Children Award, the Marguerite Hullander Training & Professional Development Award and organizes numerous educational seminars, trainings and networking opportunities.
VISION
The vision of CAAEYC is to create a strong network of support and educational opportunities for individuals involved in the care and education of children birth through eight in our community and, as a result, improve early childhood settings for children.
BELIEFS
We believe that birth through age eight are critical years in the development of children.
We believe that those responsible for young children must have the education, training and resources necessary to achieve healthy development and constructive education for all children.
We believe that it is essential that adults working with young children have ongoing opportunities to improve their skills in helping these children in their world.
We believe individuals working with young children must have opportunities for networking, fellowship and development through a professional organization.
We believe that a professional organization must speak collectively on behalf of young children on issues concerning their health, education and general welfare.
MISSION
The CAAEYC promotes quality education and child care in all early childhood setting through advocacy, training, technical assistance and collaboration.
GOALS
CAAEYC will support funding for high quality programs in all settings for young children and their families.
CAAEYC will strive to increase and diversify its membership to enable the group to achieve its mission on behalf of children, families and professionals in early childhood education.
CAAEYC will uphold high standards for professional development and facilitate improvements in working conditions to achieve high-quality practice in early childhood education for all of its members.
CAAEYC will assess and evaluate the effectiveness of the association, staff and volunteer board members at least bi-annually.
Why Join CAAEYC?
As a CAAEYC member, you support a variety of professional activities to improve the quality of early childhood education.
As a CAAEYC member, you gain networking opportunities through local, state, regional and national early childhood organization affiliated with CAAEYC.
As a CAAEYC member you receive valuable membership benefits which include:
Newsletter published quarterly each year
Subscription to Young Children, the NAEYC professional magazine
Reduced fees for local, state and national conferences,
Meetings and workshops
Professional recognition
This Website is owned and operated by CAAEYC, which has permission to use the images and information used herein. Using or altering the images of our members, children, volunteers, or logos from this website without expressed written permissions of CAAEYC. is strictly prohibited
The Chattanooga Area Association for the Education of Young Children can trace its beginning back to the 1940's when a group of kindergarten teachers met at the home of Mrs. Cynthia Thatcher. Kindergartens and Nursery Schools were beginning to open in Chattanooga and some of the teachers were concerned with the lack of sharing of ideas and experiences. A teachers group was formed to meet, exchange ideas and upgrade the image of kindergartens. The monthly meeting of the kindergarten teachers was held at various preschools where ideas were shared on handwork, stories, poems, finger plays and other interesting things. Discussion focused on ideas they felt would contribute to the growth and development of children.
SACUS, Southern Association on Children Under Six met in Chattanooga in 1954 and spurred the rapid growth of the Kindergarten Council. A more formal organizational structure was adopted, officers were elected and dues were assessed. Since then, the Kindergarten Council has undergone several name changes, arriving at its current affiliation with the Association for the Education of Young Children. CAAEYC is affiliated with the state-wide organization TAEYC and the national organization NAEYC, offering its members a wide range of services, information, resources and training opportunities.
CAAEYC is the professional association for childhood educators and serves Bledsoe, Bradley, Grundy, Hamilton, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Polk, Rhea and Sequatchie Counties. Annually CAAEYC sponsors Week of the Young Child activities, awards the Lu Lewis Early Childhood Teacher Award, the Hilda Avant Service to Young Children Award, the Marguerite Hullander Training & Professional Development Award and organizes numerous educational seminars, trainings and networking opportunities.
VISION
The vision of CAAEYC is to create a strong network of support and educational opportunities for individuals involved in the care and education of children birth through eight in our community and, as a result, improve early childhood settings for children.
BELIEFS
We believe that birth through age eight are critical years in the development of children.
We believe that those responsible for young children must have the education, training and resources necessary to achieve healthy development and constructive education for all children.
We believe that it is essential that adults working with young children have ongoing opportunities to improve their skills in helping these children in their world.
We believe individuals working with young children must have opportunities for networking, fellowship and development through a professional organization.
We believe that a professional organization must speak collectively on behalf of young children on issues concerning their health, education and general welfare.
MISSION
The CAAEYC promotes quality education and child care in all early childhood setting through advocacy, training, technical assistance and collaboration.
GOALS
CAAEYC will support funding for high quality programs in all settings for young children and their families.
CAAEYC will strive to increase and diversify its membership to enable the group to achieve its mission on behalf of children, families and professionals in early childhood education.
CAAEYC will uphold high standards for professional development and facilitate improvements in working conditions to achieve high-quality practice in early childhood education for all of its members.
CAAEYC will assess and evaluate the effectiveness of the association, staff and volunteer board members at least bi-annually.
Why Join CAAEYC?
As a CAAEYC member, you support a variety of professional activities to improve the quality of early childhood education.
As a CAAEYC member, you gain networking opportunities through local, state, regional and national early childhood organization affiliated with CAAEYC.
As a CAAEYC member you receive valuable membership benefits which include:
Newsletter published quarterly each year
Subscription to Young Children, the NAEYC professional magazine
Reduced fees for local, state and national conferences,
Meetings and workshops
Professional recognition
This Website is owned and operated by CAAEYC, which has permission to use the images and information used herein. Using or altering the images of our members, children, volunteers, or logos from this website without expressed written permissions of CAAEYC. is strictly prohibited
