The Idaho Association of Education for Young Children (Idaho AEYC) hosted its annual Early Learning Collaborative (ELC) Symposium on June 12-13, bringing together educators, advocates, leaders, and community partners from across the state for two days of learning and collaboration.  

This year’s theme, “From Seeds to Systems: Growing and Sustaining our ELCs,” centered on strengthening Idaho’s network of early childhood programs while establishing strong foundations in communities that will enable long term impacts and a stable early childhood system.  

Representatives from all 24 ELCs gathered to exchange ideas, celebrate progress, and learn from one another’s work.  Participants focused on expanding access to early learning, strengthening family resources, supporting the early childhood workforce, and building stronger public-private partnerships. 

The symposium opened Friday with a hands-on presentation led by Erika Hermsen, Executive Director and Founder of the National Outdoor Early Learning Alliance.  Her session invited ELCs to explore how outdoor learning experiences can meaningfully support young children’s development and overall wellbeing.

Friday’s keynote featured Linda Smith, Executive Director of The Child Care Trust, who shared national perspectives on building sustainable early childhood systems through policy, financing, and community engagement. 

Day one concluded with a panel moderated by Idaho AEYC’s Executive Director Nicole Criner. Panelists included Christine Tiddens of Idaho Voices for Children, Lori Fascilla of Giraffe Laugh Early Learning Centers, Shantay Bloxham of United Way of Southeastern Idaho, and Linda Smith, offering perspectives on strengthening early childhood systems across Idaho and beyond.  

One of the most meaningful parts of the symposium was the time built in for ELCs to connect directly with one another. Through guided networking sessions and gallery walks, attendees shared successes, learned about innovative work happening across the state, and identified opportunities for future collaboration.  

Project managers also exchanged early learning activities to bring back to their communities and discussed strategies for sustainability. Many shared that the most powerful takeaway was the realization that they are all facing similar challenges and have real opportunities to work together on solutions.  

Saturday focused on planning for long-term sustainability. Hamilton Simons-Jones, Early Childhood Policy Director, led a session focused on fundraising, systems building, and increasing community engagement.  

The symposium concluded with a presentation on early identification led by Mellissa Crist, Director of Early Childhood Programs at the University of Idaho. Idaho AEYC's Act Early Ambassadors, Heather Lee, Amanda Mills, and Phyliss Vernon, joined the ELC teams to discuss how these tools can be applied in communities across the state. 

The symposium’s goal is to prove how change happens when communities work together. Idaho AEYC’s ELC network will carry these shared ideas into communities across Idaho to continue creating opportunities for children and families.  

Idaho AEYC remains committed to supporting this growing network of collaboratives as part of its mission to strengthen early care and education systems for all communities across Idaho.