Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA) is a statewide, nonprofit organization serving as a professional association whose members care for and educate Wisconsin's children, aged birth to eight. We are an affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). WECA works to build a foundation for a lifetime of learning for Wisconsin's young children by promoting excellence in early education programs, supporting professionalism among our members, and calling for a greater public investment in our future.

Our Mission Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA) is building a foundation for a lifetime of learning for Wisconsin's young children.

Our Vision Through the strength, leadership, and dedication of our members, WECA will: Promote excellence in early education programs:

• All children and their families, regardless of race, ethnicity, geographic residence and parent's income, deserve high quality early care and education.
• A strong foundation prepares children for success in school and life.
• Professionals who work with children must be engaged in setting the standards for high quality and recognized for their contributions.
• We succeed when families, early childhood professionals, schools and communities work in partnership for the benefit of young children.
• The diversity of our communities of children, families and educators is to be honored and celebrated.

Supports professionalism among our members:

• We must continue efforts to enhance educational qualifications, improve compensation and working conditions, provide access to health care and stabilize the workforce by reducing turnover.
• All those who work with children should have a voice in decisions that impact their day-to-day work
• We must provide services of value to our members, including continuing education, networking opportunities and updates on news and issues in the field.

Call for a greater public investment in our future:

• Today's children are tomorrow's leaders.
• Current research must be used to convey the importance of early education for the public good.
• We will grow a cadre of advocates to send a unified message to our public policy makers regarding appropriate funding, responsive to the needs of children, families and the child care infrastructure.