The NAEYC Spring Leadership Conference raised fundamental questions about the nature and scope of early childhood leadership in a changing world. Leaders in the field come from all parts of the education spectrum and each have valid contributions. They include those who lead programs or services, conceptual leaders, community leaders, advocacy and…

Discusses the past history and present and future goals of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), as related to the group's mission to improve the quality of services for children from birth to age 8. Considers problems and opportunities to be addressed by the NAEYC. (JPB)

Visualizes future of early childhood education and care in terms of quality. Advocates quality in things that scaffold programs: quality training, education, and credentialing for staff; efficient, quality regulations that truly protect children and families; quality financing; effective accountability; and functional governance. Contends quality…

Describes five "A"s, issues that bind together early childhood educators and give them benchmarks to gauge success: (1) access; (2) affordability; (3) appropriateness; (4) accountability; and (5) advocacy. Asserts that only when all five "A"s are achieved will early childhood education be an enterprise of which all educators…