Welcoming a New Affiliate

NHAEYC’s Journey to Full Affiliation with NAEYC

The New Hampshire Association for the Education of Young Children (NHAEYC) recently became a full Affiliate of NAEYC’s. This accomplishment reflects years of dedication to advancing high-quality early childhood education and strengthening professional support for educators across the state.

“NHAEYC is deeply grateful for the collaboration, guidance, and shared leadership that supported our journey to full affiliation,” said Jackie Firmin, NHAEYC’s executive director. “This experience affirms that strong partnerships and sustained commitment are essential to building a resilient professional organization.”

NHAEYC began its path to full affiliation as an emerging affiliate—a status designed to help organizations develop the infrastructure and governance needed to meet NAEYC’s rigorous standards. During this phase, NHAEYC partnered with Maine AEYC as its fiscal agent. Maine AEYC managed financial operations on behalf of the emerging affiliate to ensure compliance with nonprofit financial standards. This included offering guidance on budgeting, reporting, and financial accountability. Besides helping NHAEYC establish practices that would become the foundation for its independent operations, the relationship allowed NHAEYC to focus on building a strong leadership team, establishing bylaws aligned with NAEYC’s requirements, and creating systems to support members effectively without the immediate burden of managing complex fiscal responsibilities.

The fiscal agent relationship is a collaborative partnership rooted in shared values and mutual commitment to early childhood education. It exemplifies the spirit of cooperation within the NAEYC Affiliate Network, where established Affiliates support emerging ones to strengthen the field collectively.

“The NAEYC Affiliate Network thrives when we support one another,” said Heather Marden, co-executive director of Maine AEYC. “Working with NHAEYC was a meaningful example of how established Affiliates can help emerging ones build the infrastructure they need to succeed independently.”

The NAEYC Governing Board officially recognized NHAEYC as a full Affiliate in November 2025. This designation brings numerous benefits, including access to national resources, participation in the Affiliate Leadership Network, and the ability to influence policy and practice at state and national levels. For members, it means enhanced professional development opportunities, stronger advocacy efforts, and a unified voice for early childhood education in New Hampshire.

With full Affiliate status, NHAEYC is poised to increase its impact. Its next steps will focus on expanding initiatives, strengthening membership services, and scaling quality cohorts that support educators and programs statewide.

“We are committed to building a sustainable, educator-centered association that advances high-quality early learning across New Hampshire to strengthen practice and workforce sustainability,” Jackie said. “Our partnership with Maine AEYC during the emerging Affiliate phase will remain a meaningful example of collective effort.”

Photograph: courtesy of © NHAEYC. Copyright © 2026 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. See permissions and reprints online at NAEYC.org/resources/permissions.