MnAEYC 2025-2027 Strategic Plan

Vision

To advance a diverse, high-quality early childhood education profession for all children in Minnesota by advocating for best practices, supporting early childhood professionals, and promoting policies that reflect the importance of early learning.

 

Mission

MnAEYC supports early childhood educators in Minnesota by providing professional development opportunities, advocating for equitable and quality early childhood education policies, and fostering community and collaboration among practitioners.

 

Strategic Goals and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

 

Goal 1: Advocate for Equitable Policies and Increased Funding for Early Childhood Education

Focus on elevating the voice of early childhood professionals, building relationships with policymakers, and influencing policies that impact early childhood education across Minnesota.

 

Yearly Breakdown

2025:

• Objective: Strengthen MnAEYC’s advocacy efforts and visibility in policy discussions.

• KPIs:

  • Conduct quarterly virtual “Policy Advocacy Hours” for members to discuss issues affecting early childhood education.

  • Build relationships with at least five state policymakers through introductory meetings.

  • Develop and distribute two position statements on critical legislative priorities, such as increased funding and equitable access.

2026:

• Objective: Increase collaboration with other organizations to amplify advocacy efforts.

• KPIs:

  • Partner with two local organizations (e.g., Think Small, Voices for Racial Justice) to co-host advocacy events.

  • Facilitate three policy roundtables with early childhood professionals to gather input on legislation.

  • Publish quarterly policy newsletters to keep members informed of legislative developments.

2027:

• Objective: Cement MnAEYC’s role as a key policy advocate in Minnesota.

• KPIs:

  • Engage members at an annual “Advocacy Day” event, mobilizing at least 100 professionals to engage with legislators.

  • Achieve representation on at least one statewide advisory board or committee related to early childhood.

  • Conduct a year-end policy impact report detailing successes and ongoing challenges.

 

Goal 2: Expand Access to Professional Development Opportunities

Provide accessible, affordable professional development to support early childhood educators’ growth and retention.

 

Yearly Breakdown

2025:

• Objective: Launch virtual and low-cost professional development sessions.

• KPIs:

  • Organize four virtual workshops on topics like classroom management, inclusive practices, and curriculum development.

  • Secure partnerships with three training organizations for discounted access to professional development resources.

  • Pilot a “Professional Development Series” featuring monthly online webinars led by industry experts.

2026:

• Objective: Increase the variety of learning formats and focus areas.

• KPIs:

  • Host two regional in-person “Professional Learning Days” at accessible venues.

  • Create three training resources (e.g., recorded workshops, guides) that educators can access on demand.

  • Engage 150 participants in professional development programs throughout the year.

2027:

• Objective: Build an ongoing professional development library accessible to members.

• KPIs:

  • Develop a digital library with 10+ training videos and resources.

  • Establish an online forum where members can exchange best practices and advice.

  • Track the usage of resources and solicit feedback to improve offerings annually.

 

Goal 3: Strengthen Member Engagement and Community Building

Foster a strong network of early childhood professionals who support each other and advocate for the field.

 

Yearly Breakdown

2025:

• Objective: Increase communication and build an online community.

• KPIs:

  • Consistently deliver a monthly e-newsletter to update members on MnAEYC’s work and upcoming events.

  • Develop and maintain an active social media presence with weekly posts to engage members.

  • Organize two virtual “Member Meetups” to foster community among members.

2026:

• Objective: Facilitate peer-to-peer support and member recognition.

• KPIs:

  • Establish a “Member Spotlight” feature in the newsletter and on social media to highlight contributions.

  • Organize a peer-mentoring initiative, pairing new and experienced educators.

  • Hold a statewide annual member appreciation event virtually or in person, aiming for 50+ attendees.

2027:

• Objective: Increase member retention and satisfaction.

• KPIs:

  • Conduct an annual membership survey to assess satisfaction and needs, aiming for a 70% response rate.

  • Achieve 80% member retention by improving engagement and responsive programming.

  • Expand member meetups to include three in-person gatherings across Minnesota.

 

Goal 4: Ensure Organizational Sustainability and Growth

Enhance MnAEYC’s operational effectiveness to support its mission and ensure financial health.

 

Yearly Breakdown

2025:

• Objective: Establish sustainable funding streams and budget management practices.

• KPIs:

  • Create a “Fundraising and Grants” committee to research small grants and funding opportunities.

  • Develop two fundraisers, such as virtual auctions or crowdfunding campaigns, to raise $5,000.

  • Review and revise annual budgeting processes to align expenditures with strategic priorities.

2026:

• Objective: Strengthen volunteer engagement and recruitment.

• KPIs:

  • Recruit and train ten new volunteers for committee and event support.

  • Develop a volunteer handbook outlining roles, responsibilities, and benefits.

  • Recognize volunteers through a “Volunteer of the Month” program.

2027:

• Objective: Expand MnAEYC’s revenue and resources.

• KPIs:

  • Apply for at least three grants supporting advocacy, professional development, or member engagement.

  • Host one large-scale fundraising event with the goal of raising $7,000.

  • Achieve a balanced budget with a contingency fund of $2,000 for unexpected expenses.

 

Goal 5: Promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)

Advance DEIB initiatives within MnAEYC to support an inclusive culture and advocate for equitable access to early childhood education for all children.

 

Yearly Breakdown

2025:

• Objective: Introduce DEIB as a core component of MnAEYC’s programming and advocacy efforts.

• KPIs:

  • Conduct an organization-wide DEIB assessment to identify areas for improvement.

  • Launch two DEIB-focused workshops for members on topics like cultural competence and inclusive practices.

  • Form a DEIB Advisory Committee of diverse professionals from the field to guide programming and advocacy.

2026:

• Objective: Embed DEIB practices within MnAEYC’s organizational culture and member resources.

• KPIs:

  • Develop a DEIB resource guide accessible to all members, including tips for implementing inclusive practices.

  • Host quarterly DEIB roundtables to discuss challenges and solutions in the field.

  • Increase DEIB representation in all MnAEYC events and materials by ensuring at least 30% of speakers and resources represent diverse perspectives.

2027:

• Objective: Make DEIB an established component of MnAEYC’s identity.

• KPIs:

  • Publish an annual DEIB report highlighting progress and ongoing needs.

  • Recognize one early childhood education provider annually with a “DEIB Excellence Award.”

  • Host an annual “Belonging in Early Education” event focused on advancing DEIB in Minnesota’s early childhood education community.

 

Goal 6: Foster Cross-Sector Representation in Family Child Care, Center-Based Child Care, Head Start, and PreK-3rd Grade

Encourage collaboration across sectors to create a cohesive early childhood education community that supports the unique needs of various program types.

 

Yearly Breakdown

2025:

• Objective: Establish relationships with representatives from each sector to inform MnAEYC’s strategic priorities.

• KPIs:

  • Identify and recruit at least one volunteer representative from each sector to join an advisory group.

  • Host a virtual “Cross-Sector Forum” to discuss shared goals and challenges, with participation from family child care, center-based care, Head Start, and PreK-3rd grade representatives.

  • Publish a quarterly newsletter feature highlighting best practices from each sector.

2026:

• Objective: Integrate cross-sector perspectives into MnAEYC’s advocacy and programming.

• KPIs:

  • Develop cross-sector panel discussions for all major MnAEYC events, ensuring all perspectives are represented.

  • Release two collaborative publications per year focused on strategies for addressing sector-specific challenges, such as recruitment in family child care or curriculum design in PreK-3rd grade.

  • Hold biannual cross-sector focus groups to gather feedback on MnAEYC initiatives and policy positions.

2027:

• Objective: Strengthen cross-sector collaborations for shared policy goals and professional development.

• KPIs:

  • Develop a “Cross-Sector Learning Community” that meets quarterly to share resources, challenges, and successes.

  • Launch an annual “Unified Early Childhood Minnesota Policy Agenda” that reflects the needs of family child care, center-based programs, Head Start, and PreK-3rd grade, co-authored by representatives from each sector.

  • Organize an annual cross-sector conference or retreat with breakout sessions and speakers from each program type, aiming for at least 100 participants.