HISTORY OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN EARLY CHILDHOOD CONFERENCE

In 2011, the Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children (COAEYC), Denver Preschool Program, Colorado Head Start Association, and Early Childhood Education Association of Colorado came together to sponsor the first Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Conference (RMECC).

The goal was to establish a regional conference focused on the many aspects of child development and the early childhood field. Through RMECC, these partners have advanced the coordination and communication around early childhood programs and policy; increased access to professional development for educators; and promoted the agenda for early childhood education. This collaboration succeeded in creating a conference that provides an annual opportunity to learn from a broad range of leaders, educators, and experts representing every angle of early childhood education.

In 2016, Denver’s Early Childhood Council, COAEYC and the Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA) partnered to deliver a two-day agenda filled with workshops and presentations designed to meet the professional development needs of early childhood practitioners and foster an environment that encourages the community to learn, share, and network. From 2017 to 2020, the Council and ECCLA continued our partnership in making this the best annual regional conference of its kind.

Today, Denver’s Early Childhood Council hosts RMECC each year in March.