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Building Bridges, Raising Voices, Shaping Futures The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) invites family child care educators, leaders, advocates, researchers, policymakers, and partners from across the country to join us in Chicago, Illinois, for the 2026 NAFCC National Annual Conference, July 16–18, 2026. Pre-Conference Institutes will be held on July 15. The NAFCC National Annual Conference is the only national conference dedicated exclusively to family child care. Each year, educators and leaders come together to learn, connect, share ideas, and strengthen the family child care profession. Featured Keynote Speaker: Mychal Threets We are excited to welcome Mychal Threets as our 2026 Keynote Speaker. Mychal is known for his passion for literacy, community, and creating spaces where everyone feels seen and valued. His message of joy, connection, and belonging resonates with educators and leaders who make a difference in the lives of children and families every day. His keynote will set the tone for a conference focused on community, leadership, and the important role family child care plays in supporting children, families, and local economies. Pre-Conference sessions – July 15, 2026 Start your conference experience with one of NAFCC's Pre-Conference Institutes. The Future of Family Child Care: Policy Shaped by You Designed for family child care educators and leaders, this institute explores how policy decisions affect family child care businesses and the children and families they serve. Participants will gain practical tools and strategies for advocacy and learn how their voice can help shape the future of the profession. Building Inclusive Early Care Systems: Centering Family Child Care Designed for state leaders, systems-building partners, networks, and organizations, this institute focuses on strengthening family child care's role within early childhood systems and creating partnerships that support long-term success. Why Attend? Attendees will have opportunities to: Learn from national experts and industry leaders Hear from keynote speaker Mychal Threets Explore business and leadership strategies Participate in conversations about policy and advocacy Learn about accreditation and quality improvement Connect with family child care educators from across the country Discover new resources, tools, and partnerships Celebrate the impact of family child care Whether you are new to family child care or a longtime leader in the field, the conference offers valuable learning, networking, and leadership opportunities. A Conference Built for Family Child Care Family child care is a critical part of our nation's early childhood education system. Family child care educators support working families, help children thrive, and contribute to the economic strength of their communities. The 2026 conference theme, Building Bridges, Raising Voices, Shaping Futures, reflects the power of coming together to learn from one another, elevate the profession, and strengthen the future of family child care. Sponsorship and Exhibitor Opportunities Organizations and businesses that support early childhood education are invited to participate as sponsors and exhibitors. Conference sponsors and exhibitors have the opportunity to connect with family child care educators, leaders, and decision-makers from across the country while demonstrating their commitment to strengthening the family child care profession. Join Us in Chicago The NAFCC National Annual Conference is where family child care leaders gather to learn, connect, share ideas, and celebrate the important work happening in communities across the country. We hope you will join us in Chicago as we build bridges, raise voices, and shape futures together. Learn more, register, or explore sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities: https://nafcc.org/conference/ We look forward to seeing you in Chicago in July 2026.

Attending the McCormick Institute for Early Childhood's Leadership Connections conference as a recipient of the Paula Jorde Bloom Scholarship was both an honor and a transformative experience. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to participate in a conference that brought together passionate leaders from across the field of early childhood education, all dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children, families, and educators. Throughout the conference, I gained valuable insights from inspiring presenters and informative sessions that challenged me to reflect on my own leadership journey. The experience encouraged me to think beyond my daily responsibilities and consider how I can continue to grow as a leader while making a meaningful impact within my program, my community, and the early childhood profession as a whole. One moment, in particular, changed my outlook entirely. During the Leadership Colloquium, I had the opportunity to listen to Dr. Teri Talan share her professional journey from the beginning of her career to where she is today. She shared a story about Paula Jorde Bloom , the founder of the McCormick Institute, asking her where she saw herself in the future. Teri responded that she saw herself working alongside Paula. Paula’s response was something along the lines of, “I have funding for one year, but after that, you’ll need to find grants to support your position.” That story resonated deeply with me. It was a reminder that opportunities often begin with a vision, but they grow through determination, persistence, and a willingness to advocate for what you believe is needed. That evening, I returned to my hotel room feeling inspired and energized; maybe a little too inspired. I immediately sent my Executive Director a proposal for a Family Support Specialist position and shared why I believe this role would benefit our center, our families, and our children along with why I should lead the creation of this role within our center. In that moment, I realized that leadership is not just about having ideas, it’s about taking action. Teri’s story and McCormick Institute Executive Director Dr. Lisa Downey’s words on prioritizing the needs of your child care center encouraged me to stop waiting for the “right time” and instead advocate for the changes I believe can make a meaningful difference. While the sessions provided valuable knowledge and inspiration, some of the most meaningful learning happened outside the conference rooms. Conversations during lunch, networking opportunities, and informal discussions with fellow providers and leaders about the knowledge we gained within sessions allowed me to hear different perspectives, share experiences, celebrate successes, and learn from the challenges others have faced, many are the same I am facing now. These connections reminded me that leadership is not something we do alone. The relationships formed throughout the conference created a sense of community and support that I carry with me. This experience also strengthened my confidence that I am exactly where I am meant to be. Supporting children, families, and educators has always been a passion of mine, but this conference helped me recognize the deeper purpose behind that work. It reminded me that every relationship built, every family supported, and every child encouraged has the potential to create lasting positive change. The work we do in early childhood education is foundational, and I am proud to be part of a profession that helps children thrive during some of the most important years of their lives. The knowledge, conversations, and relationships gained through Leadership Connections have reinforced my commitment to helping children thrive and empowering families to succeed. I have been inspired by the dedication, resilience, and passion of fellow leaders and encouraged to continue growing both personally and professionally so that I can better serve those who depend on me. I leave this experience feeling energized, motivated, and grateful. More importantly, I leave with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of my role as a leader in early childhood education. The lessons learned, relationships formed, and inspiration gained through this experience will continue to influence my work and leadership for years to come. As I end, I reflect on this year's conference theme, "ONWARD," I am reminded that growth is not a destination but a journey. To me, ONWARD represents resilience, purpose, and the commitment to keep moving forward even when challenges arise. This experience has provided me with new tools, fresh perspectives, meaningful connections, and renewed confidence in my work. For that, I am deeply thankful to the McCormick Institute and honored to have been selected as a Paula Jorde Bloom Scholarship recipient. ONWARD! Learn more about the annual Leadership Connections national conference. The Paula Jorde Bloom Scholarship Fund supports emerging and aspiring early childhood leaders who are dedicated to providing the highest quality care and education for children and families. Scholarship recipients receive complimentary full-conference registration to Leadership Connections, meals provided to conference registrants, and up to three nights lodging at the conference hotel.

Celebrate Dr. Teri Talan’s lasting impact on early childhood education at Leadership Connections 2026, honoring her legacy, leadership, and contributions to the ECEC workforce.

Shadeen Holmes shares her experience at Leadership Connections 2025. Join us in supporting early childhood education and leadership growth.

Meet Monique Watts-Dennis, the 2026 Paula Jorde Bloom Scholarship recipient. Support early childhood leadership & learn more about her journey.

Discover the enduring legacy of visionary founder Paula Jorde Bloom and how her leadership transformed early childhood education through the McCormick Institute for Early Childhood at National Louis University, inspiring leaders and advancing quality nationwide.

Paula Steffen reflects on over 40 years in early childhood leadership—her journey, roles, and heartfelt gratitude as she retires as Quality Supports & Evaluation Manager.

Meet the 2025 Paula Jorde Bloom Scholarship recipient and learn how this outstanding individual is advancing leadership and excellence in early childhood education.

The words from the song PEOPLE: People who need people Are the luckiest people in the world These words are what come to mind as I reflect on my career at National Louis University (NLU). I want to thank all those people whom I have I worked with, encountered, coached, and served in the various […] The post Retiree Marleen Barrett celebrates her 15 years with National Louis University first appeared on McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership.