News

Upcoming meeting dates

The ARW Symposium will be held Friday, May 19, 2023 from 9:30 am - 2:30 pm at Mercer Oaks Country Club, Princeton Junction, NJ. Also during the event, Christian C. Kjeldsen "Champion for Children" Award. The Marcia Bennett Scholarship will also be announced during the Symposium.
Email completed applications to elmoriathomas@gmail.com

NJ ECE Alliance works through the NJCCIS to offer Professional Development hours for each "special presentation" and learning opportunity. Please see our calendar of events.

Our meetings are currently monthly at 10 am by Zoom.

Meeting dates:
  • September 21, 2022
  • October 19, 2022
  • November 16, 2022
  • December (no meeting)
  • January 18, 2023
  • February 15, 2023
  • March 15, 2023
  • April 19, 2023
  • May 19, 2023 (the Symposium)
  • June 21, 2023
  • July 19, 2023
  • August (no meeting)
  • September 20, 2023
  • October 18, 2023
  • November 15, 2023
  • December 2023 (no meeting)
NJ ECE Alliance Officers: Elmoria Thomas, Chair; Sister Donna Minster, Treasurer; Nancy Thomson, Secretary; Legislative/Policy Committee- Elmoria Thomas, Nancy Thomson, Mary Jane Di Paolo, Marilyn Valentine; Program Committee- Elmoria Thomas, Marcia Bennett; Recognition Committee- Nancy Thomson, Marilyn Valentine, Elmoria Thomas; Review and Selection Committee- Marg Zarkowski, Odessa Davis, Virginia Whatley, Kelli Wright; Social Media- Terri Buccarelli

About Us

New Jersey Early Care and Education Alliance is a volunteer member organization established in January, 2010 and open to all groups to address the needs of the early care and education community.

Our organizational mission is to provide a forum to review, respond to and educate others on legislative and policy matters that impact our state.

The purpose of the Alliance is to address issues that affect the well-being of early childhood education, early care professionals, children and families throughout New Jersey.

The New Jersey Early Care and Education Alliance presents and recognizes individuals for the Aletha R. Wright Award for Excellence in Early Care and Education. ARW nomination form

  • Supports legislation and policies that enhance child care and early education initiatives
  • Comments on the Governor's Budget
  • Meets with policymakers/legislators
  • Maintains a relationship with the NJ Department of Education
  • Submits Recommendations to DHS
  • Participates in DHS Budget Hearings
  • Presents the Aletha R. Wright Award for Excellence in Early Care and Education
  • Hosts the bi-annual Christian Kjeldsen "Champion for Children" Award
  • Annually provides an educational scholarship
  • Presents testimony on the State Child Care Plan
  • Presents testimony to the Council for Young Children
  • Participates in the NJ Senate and Assembly Budget Hearings
  • Holds an Annual Statewide Symposium
  • Collaborates with other statewide organizations

An Opportunity for an Educational Scholarship

In honor of Marcia Bennett and her steadfast efforts in promoting professional development, the NJ ECE Alliance established an annual scholarship in her name. This scholarship is available by application to any early childhood professional that meets the criteria. Please click here to review the criteria or complete an application.

Scholarship testimonials: W. Sanders, "I am writing to express my sincere gratitude to the NJ ECE Alliance for making this scholarship available. The financial assistance is a great help in paying for my educational expenses which allows me time to focus more on my studies."

S. Keyes, "I am on cloud nine! What a wonderful day and a beautiful program. I meant what I said, I am so humbled! Again the Alliance Rock! I look forward to seeing you all at the next scholarship program. Many thanks!

There is no place for racism and inequality in humanity. We are all human and in order to thrive need to feel accepted as individuals. The New Jersey Early Care and Education Alliance respects group differences in race, culture, class, gender, religion, and background. We are all more than the group to which we belong. We are also part of the human race and a larger humanity.

Copyright (c)2012 New Jersey Early Care and Education Alliance