DVAEYC is celebrating 40 years of service to early childhood practitioners in Southeastern Pennsylvania. In its early days the organization was called DVANKE – Delaware Valley Association of Nursery and Kindergarten Educators. In 1967, the group officially affiliated with the National Association for the Education of Young Children and changed the name to its present form.

For almost 30 years, the organization played a leadership role in our region – holding an annual public policy event for civic leaders and sponsoring one of the largest professional development conferences in the area.

In 1995 the organization hired its first full time Executive Director. Sharon Easterling, who continues in that role, has overseen the growth of the association from 500 to 1700 members. Today, DVAEYC employs 25 staff members who work to serve the members and advance the mission of the organization.