Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children

What Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children does

Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC) is a nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 1972 and headquartered in Montpelier, Vermont. It is the state affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and serves early childhood educators working with children from birth to age 8 across Vermont. Its mission centers on advancing equity and excellence in early childhood education through advocacy, workforce development, professional development, and quality improvement services. The organization serves a defined Vermont market of approximately 6,500 educators working in Child Development Division-regulated settings.

VTAEYC operates a multi-program portfolio built around three pillars. First, it administers state-funded workforce and quality programs on behalf of the Vermont Child Development Division, including SPARQS (System for Program Access to Resources for Quality Supports) — which delivers quality coaching, CLASS observations, and STARS program assessments — and the Vermont Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship and Youth Apprenticeship programs registered with the Vermont Department of Labor. Second, it runs scholarship and financial-support programs: TEACH Early Childhood Vermont (full tuition, books, and stipends), the Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program (up to $4,000 annually under Vermont Act 45), the Education Gap Grant (up to $1,000), and Professional Development Grants & Bonuses. Third, it operates community and convening infrastructure including 19 regional plus 4 statewide virtual Vermont Early Childhood Networks (VECNs) and Vermont's largest annual ECE conference (350+ attendees, 40+ workshops). The organization also advocates for the pending ECE Profession Bill (S.206), which would establish three-tier licensure through the Office of Professional Regulation.

VTAEYC's business model is a hybrid of individual membership dues (single $72/year tier providing joint VTAEYC+NAEYC membership), pass-through state and private grant administration, donations processed through the EveryAction platform, and event/conference revenue. The organization is staffed by 1-10 employees and led by Executive Director Sharron Harrington. Its competitive position is anchored by its statutory role as designated administrator of Vermont ECE workforce programs — a regulatory moat that channels the vast majority of the state's ECE professional development funding through the organization. Customer-side revenue concentration is low (long-tail of individual educators), though funder-side concentration on Vermont CDD appropriations and a small number of foundation donors represents the principal external risk to the operating model.

Name

Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children

Legal name

Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children

Website

https://vtaeyc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

VTAEYC is a Vermont-based nonprofit professional membership organization and state affiliate of NAEYC that administers state-funded workforce development, scholarships, and quality-improvement programs for the state's ~6,500 early childhood educators, anchored by SPARQS, TEACH scholarships, SLRAP, and the Vermont Early Childhood Networks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Membership Association for Early Childhood Education

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDACAIAB

In-Service Professional Development (Workshops/Institutes/Short Courses)

Education/Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Teacher Training & Professional Development

SECONDARYEDACAKAD

Accreditation Support (NAEYC/NECPA/State)

Education/Early Childhood Education/ECE Licensing, Compliance & Quality Rating Services

SECONDARYEDADAHAF

Tuition Assistance & Voucher/ESA Program Administration

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Education Funding, Grants & Financial Aid Administration

SECONDARYEDACAIAA

Pre-Service ECE Credential Programs (Certificates/Diplomas/Degrees)

Education/Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Teacher Training & Professional Development

SECONDARYEDADACAJ

Accreditation Standards, Benchmarking & Framework Organizations

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Accreditation Bodies (Institutional & Programmatic)

Keywords

• Early childhood education
• Professional membership services
• Workforce development programs
• Educator scholarship programs
• Program quality improvement

Headquarters

HQ city

Burlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees of $72 provide unified VTAEYC+NAEYC membership with access to community, advocacy, resources, events, and support benefits.
2. Grant Administration: VTAEYC administers multiple state-funded programs including the Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program (up to $4,000 annually), Education Gap Grants (up to $1,000), professional development grants and bonuses, and TEACH Early Childhood Vermont scholarships covering tuition, books, and stipends.
3. TEACH Early Childhood Vermont Scholarships: Comprehensive scholarship program covering 100% tuition and book fees, providing stipends and paid release time for early childhood educators pursuing degrees.
4. Donations: Nonprofit organization accepting donations through EveryAction platform for additional program support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

VTAEYC is a nonprofit professional membership organization that serves Vermont's early childhood educators (birth to age 8) by offering joint VTAEYC+NAEYC membership, workforce development programs (TEACH scholarships, Apprenticeship, Youth Apprenticeship, Student Loan Repayment Assistance, Education Gap Grants, Professional Development Grants and Bonuses), and program quality improvement services through the SPARQS system, CLASS assessments, coaching, and Vermont Early Childhood Networks. The organization also convenes an annual conference, provides recognition awards, administers the VTAEYC Exchange Fellowship program, and advocates for ECE profession legislation.

Product overview

VTAEYC is a professional membership organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of workforce development, quality improvement, and advocacy programs for early childhood educators in Vermont. The core offerings include membership with NAEYC partnership, the SPARQS quality support system, and multiple scholarship and financial assistance programs (TEACH, SLRAP, Education Gap Grant). Career pathway programs include Registered Apprenticeship and Youth Pre-Apprenticeship. Quality support is delivered through coaching, CLASS assessments, and Vermont Early Childhood Networks. Annual programming includes a major conference and awards recognition. The VTAEYC Exchange Fellowship program addresses societal intersections with early childhood education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SPARQS: System for Program Access to Resources for Quality Supports - supports a culture of quality throughout Vermont's early childhood education programs.
• VT ECE Apprenticeship Program
• VT ECE Youth Apprenticeship Program
• TEACH Early Childhood Vermont Scholarship Program
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program
• VTAEYC Exchange
• Education Gap Grant

Products and services

• VTAEYC + NAEYC Membership Professional membership for early childhood educators in Vermont promoting high-quality early learning for children birth to age 8 by connecting practice, policy, and research. Joint VTAEYC+NAEYC membership provides access to community, advocacy, resources, events, and professional development at $72 annually.
• SPARQS (System for Program Access to Resources for Quality Supports) Quality support system for Vermont's early childhood education programs providing coaching, program assessments for STARS, and network support to foster continuous program quality improvement. Administered by VTAEYC and funded by the Vermont Child Development Division.
• TEACH Early Childhood Vermont Scholarship Program Scholarship program covering 100% tuition and book fees for early childhood educators pursuing degrees, with stipend support, paid release time, and completion bonuses. Administered by VTAEYC.
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program (SLRAP) Annual student loan debt relief program providing up to $4,000 to reduce debt for full-time early childhood educators with early childhood degrees earning $60,000 or less. Established under Vermont Act 45 and administered by VTAEYC.
• VT ECE Apprenticeship Program Registered apprenticeship program in collaboration with the VT Department of Labor combining on-the-job training with a qualified mentor and 6-7 college courses through CCV, enabling apprentices to earn 18-21 college credits.
• VT ECE Youth Apprenticeship Program Pre-apprenticeship program for high school students in career and technical centers providing paid work experience, CCV credit-bearing courses through Fast Forward/Dual Enrollment, and mentorship in early childhood education settings.
• Education Gap Grant for Early Childhood Educators Grant of up to $1,000 to address financial barriers for early childhood educators seeking additional credentials or degrees. Funded by an anonymous donor and launched November 2022.
• Professional Development Grants and Bonuses Administered grants and bonuses for ECE professionals including CDA Assessment Fee Grant, College Tuition Grant, GED Assessment Fee Grant, Peer Review Assessment Fee Grant, and professional recognition bonuses tied to Northern Lights Career Ladder achievements.
• Coaching Services Quality coaching and support services provided by Quality Support Specialists offering consultation, mentoring, and technical assistance for program quality improvement to ECE programs and educators.
• Program Assessments CLASS assessments and STARS program assessments conducted by trained, certified assessors to measure quality of educator-child interactions and support continuous quality improvement.
• Annual Early Childhood Education Conference Vermont's largest gathering of early childhood educators featuring workshops, keynotes, and networking opportunities. Hosted annually with over 350 attendees and 40+ workshop sessions; 2025 conference held in Burlington.
• VTAEYC Exchange Fellowships 9-month fellowship program exploring intersections of early childhood education with climate change, equity, community, and creative arts. Fellows commit 2-3 hours weekly and receive a $1,200 stipend plus complimentary membership.

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVTAEYC is the state affiliate of NAEYC, providing unified membership that connects Vermont ECE professionals to national resources, advocacy, and the Hello online community. Joint membership model allows single application for both state and national benefits.
• Vermont Department of LaborcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership to offer the Vermont Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship Program. Department provides Standards of Apprenticeship approval and oversees sponsor requirements.
• Vermont Child Development Division (CDD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDD funds and oversees SPARQS (System for Program Access to Resources for Quality Supports), which VTAEYC administers. CDD also funds professional development grants and bonuses administered by VTAEYC.
• Northern Lights at CCVcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Early Childhood Career Ladder credentials and degree verification. Northern Lights reviews and awards level certificates, with VTAEYC determining bonus eligibility based on those awards.
• Vermont AfterschoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for afterschool program assessments and professional recognition bonuses. VT Afterschool reviews and awards professional credentials, with VTAEYC determining bonus eligibility.
• Vermont Higher Education CollaborativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as outside training organization offering events related to early childhood education.
• Building Bright FuturesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as outside training organization offering early childhood education events.
• Let's Grow KidscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvocacy partner for child care awareness and campaign efforts. Collaborates on ECE workforce initiatives and compensation advocacy.
• Community College of Vermont (CCV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary partner for apprenticeship college courses and early childhood education certificate programs. Apprentices take 6-7 college courses through CCV as part of the program.
• RIVETminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Mosaic of Marks exhibition from Reggio Emilia, facilitating professional development experiences for VECN members.
• Champlain CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVermont college offering 4-year Early Childhood Education programs listed in College Resource Directory.
• Springfield CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVermont college offering 4-year Early Childhood Education programs listed in College Resource Directory.
• Saint Michael's CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVermont college offering 4-year Early Childhood Education programs listed in College Resource Directory.
• Vermont State University (VTSU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVermont college offering 4-year Early Childhood Education programs listed in College Resource Directory.
• Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOPR submitted sunrise report recommending ECE profession licensure, prompting ECE Profession Bill. VTAEYC advocates for and tracks the bill through OPR regulatory framework.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC): NAEYC is the national parent organization of which VTAEYC is the Vermont state affiliate. The two share a unified membership application, branding, and advocacy agenda, making NAEYC the closest comparator in mission, products, and member model.
• Child Care Aware of America: Child Care Aware of America is a national membership and advocacy organization supporting ECE providers and families. It overlaps with VTAEYC in professional support, advocacy, and consumer resources but at a national scale.
• Zero to Three: Zero to Three is a national nonprofit focused on infant and toddler development, training, and advocacy. VTAEYC operates a dedicated Infant/Toddler statewide network, making Zero to Three a thematically adjacent peer in early childhood policy and PD.

Direct peers

• Massachusetts Association for the Education of Young Children (MAEYC): MAEYC is a fellow NAEYC state affiliate offering the same combination of professional development, advocacy, scholarships, and statewide networks for early childhood educators. It is directly comparable in scale, structure, and program mix.
• New York Association for the Education of Young Children (NYAEYC): NYAEYC is another NAEYC state affiliate serving a larger ECE population but with the same model of PD, advocacy, conferences, and scholarships. It provides a relevant comparison point on member engagement and statewide program delivery.

Others

• Teachstone: Teachstone develops the CLASS observation tool that VTAEYC's SPARQS program uses for program assessments and STARS evaluations. It is an enabling technology/vendor partner rather than a competitor, but its scale and CLASS certification training represent adjacent service offerings.
• Let's Grow Kids: Let's Grow Kids is a Vermont-based child care advocacy and public awareness organization that collaborates with VTAEYC on workforce and compensation advocacy. It is a complementary advocacy peer in the same Vermont ECE ecosystem.
• Council for Professional Recognition: The Council administers the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, which VTAEYC supports via the CDA Assessment Fee Grant. It is a credentialing infrastructure peer relevant to VTAEYC's workforce development programs.
• Vermont Child Development Division (CDD): CDD is the state agency that funds VTAEYC's SPARQS, TEACH, and PD grant programs and oversees STARS. While a regulator/funder rather than a peer organization, CDD shapes VTAEYC's program portfolio and is the closest state-level counterpart.

Regional players

• Vermont Afterschool: Vermont Afterschool partners with VTAEYC on afterschool program assessments and professional recognition bonuses. It operates in the same Vermont ECE/OST space with overlapping audiences and credentialing activity.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6oj424DZ8BdsKA8lsXOTVw
• Facebookfacebook.com/VTAEYC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vtaeyc
• Instagraminstagram.com/vtaeyc

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children