Arkansas Early Childhood Association

What Arkansas Early Childhood Association does

Arkansas Early Childhood Association (AECA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional association founded in 1963, originally established as the Preschool Association of Little Rock in the early 1950s and renamed to its current form in 1993. Headquartered in Fayetteville, Arkansas, AECA serves approximately 1,500 early childhood professionals across the state, including child care providers, educators, and program administrators. It operates with a small staff of roughly six employees and is supported by a network of seven regional affiliates plus the Arkansas Family Child Care Association (AFCCA), which became a formal affiliate in 2020.

AECA's core offerings center on membership services, professional development, workforce scholarship administration, and advocacy. The flagship programs include the TEACH Early Childhood Arkansas Scholarship Program, launched in 2019 to administer federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) dollars for credential and degree-track educators, including a registered apprenticeship pathway, and an annual conference now in its 64th year. The association also publishes member-facing content, runs a storytelling initiative in partnership with The Yarn, and participates in state-level policy work through membership in the Invest Early Coalition and a seat on the Arkansas Early Childhood Steering Committee. AECA holds an affiliate relationship with the Southern Early Childhood Association (SECA), which grants AECA members automatic SECA membership.

AECA's business model rests on three primary revenue streams: individual membership dues priced at $25-$39 per year, conference fees from the annual gathering, and charitable donations. Federal pass-through dollars flow through the TEACH scholarship program, of which a small administration share accrues to AECA's operating budget. There is no proprietary technology product or platform; AECA functions as a membership-based professional association rather than a software or services vendor.

Name

Arkansas Early Childhood Association

Legal name

Arkansas Early Childhood Association

Website

https://arkansasearlychildhood.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Arkansas Early Childhood Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional association founded in 1963 that serves approximately 1,500 early childhood professionals in Arkansas through membership, an annual conference, the TEACH scholarship program, advocacy, and seven regional affiliates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Educational Services (61), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Pre-Service ECE Credential Programs (Certificates/Diplomas/Degrees) (EDACAIAA), ECE Leadership & Administration Training (Directors/Owners/Supervisors) (EDACAIAD)

Keywords

• Early childhood education
• Professional development training
• Workforce scholarship programs
• Advocacy policy services
• Membership association services

Headquarters

HQ city

Fayetteville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees provide core revenue. Student membership at $25/year, regular membership at $39/year, and group membership at $39/person/year. Members receive access to professional development, networking, SECA membership, and the Dimensions of Early Childhood journal.
2. Conference Revenue: The annual AECA Conference generates revenue through attendee registration fees, exhibitor/sponsor fees, and vendor participation. The 64th Annual Conference 2026 is being held at Wyndham Riverfront Hotel in North Little Rock with exhibitor and sponsor opportunities.
3. Donations: The organization accepts donations to support educator development programs, TEACH scholarships, and annual conference activities. Donations can be made online, by check, or through AmazonSmile program.
4. TEACH Scholarship Program Administration: Operates the TEACH Early Childhood Arkansas scholarship program funded through Office of Early Childhood subgrant using Arkansas's federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) allocation. Provides scholarships for early childhood teachers, directors, and family child care educators to pursue credentials and degrees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Arkansas Early Childhood Association (AECA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership association that serves early childhood care and education professionals in Arkansas. It delivers membership subscriptions, an annual statewide conference, the TEACH Early Childhood Arkansas scholarship program for educators pursuing credentials and degrees, public policy advocacy, and a network of seven regional affiliates plus the statewide Arkansas Family Child Care Association.

Product overview

The Arkansas Early Childhood Association (AECA) is a non-profit membership organization that operates as a unified platform for early childhood education professionals. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio centered around the TEACH Early Childhood Arkansas Scholarship Program, which provides financial support for educators pursuing degrees and credentials in Early Childhood Education. Core offerings include annual conferences, advocacy services through the Public Policy program, the AECA Awards Program recognizing outstanding educators, and the Storytelling Program that amplifies educator voices. AECA serves members through individual and group membership tiers, providing access to professional development, networking, and the Dimensions of Early Childhood journal. The organization is affiliated with the Southern Early Childhood Association (SECA) and maintains a network of seven local affiliates across Arkansas (Central Arkansas, Hot Springs, Northwest Arkansas, Pine Bluff, River Valley, Southeast Arkansas, and Arkansas Family Child Care Association) that provide region-specific networking and professional development opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AECA Annual Awards Program: Annual awards recognizing individuals who embody the values of the organization, including Outstanding Member Award, Kathy Stegall Emerging Leader Award, Maggie Reynolds/Deltha Sharp Scholarship Award, Outstanding Board Member Award, and Affiliate of the Year Award.
• 64th Annual AECA Conference
• TEACH Early Childhood Arkansas
• AECA Storytelling Program
• Public Policy Advocacy
• Diversity and Anti-Bias Initiative

Products and services

• TEACH Early Childhood Arkansas Scholarship Program A scholarship program providing financial support for early childhood educators (teachers, directors, and family child care providers) to pursue college coursework, credentials, and degrees in Early Childhood Education, including registered apprenticeship components.
• AECA Annual Conference An annual professional development conference bringing together early childhood professionals across Arkansas, featuring keynote speakers, educational sessions, exhibitor opportunities, and networking.
• AECA Membership Annual membership program providing access to professional development, networking, the annual conference, automatic SECA membership, and the refereed journal Dimensions of Early Childhood. Tiers include Student ($25), Regular ($39), and Group ($39/person).
• Public Policy Advocacy Advocacy services including policy research, public policy agenda development, coalition building (including the Invest Early Coalition), and the ABCs of Advocacy blog series to expand access to quality early care and education in Arkansas.
• AECA Storytelling Program A partnership program with Arkansas State Childhood Services and The Yarn providing coaching and structured storytelling workshops to help early childhood educators develop and share their stories to inform policy and generate attention for the field.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 1,500 early childhood professionals served through membership
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Integration1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Southern Early Childhood Association (SECA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAECA is an affiliate of SECA, a 13-state regional organization. AECA has hosted five SECA conferences, had four members serve as SECA President, and members regularly present at SECA conferences. AECA members automatically receive SECA membership.
• Arkansas State University Childhood ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the storytelling initiative and TEACH program. A-State provides technical assistance, coaching, and mentoring through project specialists who serve early childhood professionals.
• The YarnmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStorytelling partnership to amplify voices of early childhood educators. The Yarn provides coaching to help educators develop and share their stories to inform policy and generate attention for early childhood education.
• Invest Early CoalitionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAECA is a member of the Invest Early Coalition advocating for expanded access to higher quality early care and education in Arkansas.
• University of Arkansas Early Care and Education Projects (ECEP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerECEP provides professional development training and technical assistance to early childhood professionals across Arkansas regions.
• Curricula ConceptsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCurriculum provider partner supporting early childhood education with materials and professional development resources.
• UAMS Department of Family and Preventive MedicineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner providing research and programs related to early childhood workforce health and family wellness, including REACH program for social-emotional development.
• Saint Francis MinistriesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConference sponsor and community partner supporting early childhood services in Arkansas.
• Lakeshore LearningminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConference sponsor providing early childhood education materials and resources.
• Arkansas Advocates for Children and FamiliesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing advocacy resources and tools for policy advocacy efforts on behalf of Arkansas children and families.
• Arkansas Family Child Care Association (AFCCA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAFCCA became an affiliate of AECA in 2020 and operates throughout the state as a statewide affiliate specifically serving family child care providers. Provides FCC-specific training, advocacy, and networking opportunities.
• LENAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConference sponsor for 2025 annual conference supporting early childhood education.
• Graduation PlaceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConference sponsor for 2025 annual conference supporting early childhood education.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Child Care Aware of America: National nonprofit focused on child care supply, quality, and affordability through a state network of Child Care Resource & Referral agencies. Comparable to AECA in mission and nonprofit funding model, with a much broader national footprint and federal grant relationships.
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC): National professional membership association for early childhood educators. Directly comparable in mission (advocacy, PD, credentials) to AECA, but operating nationally and at a substantially larger scale, with accreditation programs (NAEYC Accreditation) that AECA-affiliated programs pursue.
• ZERO TO THREE: National nonprofit advancing infant and toddler development through professional development, policy advocacy, and credentialing. Comparable in advocacy + PD mission and in operating a national professional credential (Infant Family Associate/Early Childhood Family Associate) that intersects with AECA's TEACH scholarship pathways.

Direct peers

• Southern Early Childhood Association (SECA): 13-state regional umbrella of which AECA is an Arkansas affiliate. Provides multi-state PD conferences and the refereed Dimensions of Early Childhood journal to AECA members, making SECA both a parent organization and the most directly comparable peer in structure and offerings.
• Florida Association for the Education of Young Children (FLAEYC): Florida's NAEYC-affiliated state professional association. Directly comparable as a state-level membership association for ECE professionals with annual conference, advocacy, and PD offerings — AECA's structural template at substantially larger scale.
• Texas Association for the Education of Young Children (TXAEYC): State-level AEYC affiliate providing professional development, advocacy, and member services to ECE professionals in Texas. Closest structural peer to AECA: same NAEYC-affiliate model, same revenue mix (dues, conference, donations), but in a much larger state with greater membership scale.

Others

• Council for Professional Recognition: National organization administering the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential — the foundational ECE credential that TEACH scholarship recipients frequently pursue. Not a direct peer, but an enabling/complementary organization tightly coupled to AECA's scholarship and credentialing pathway.

Regional players

• First Things First (Arizona): Arizona's dedicated early childhood state agency funded by a voter-approved tobacco tax, administering regional councils and statewide ECE programs. Comparable in scope (statewide ECE workforce and family support), but functions as a quasi-governmental entity rather than a membership association.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/arkansasearlychildhoodassociation
• Instagraminstagram.com/aeca_info
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arkansas-early-childhood-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Arkansas Early Childhood Association