South Carolina Early Childhood Association
Our Mission
The mission of the South Carolina Early Childhood Association (SCECA) is to enhance knowledge; advance evidence based practices, and provide leadership to increase public understanding and support for policy that results in high quality early care and education for every child from birth to age eight in South Carolina.
Statement of Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
SCECA is a welcoming and caring organization committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. As such, we have a duty and responsibility to work for a better, fairer and more just world for South Carolina’s children, families, and the professionals who care for them. SCECA commits to identify, acknowledge, and challenge oppressive racist systems that harm our members, the children and families in our care, and our communities.
We explicitly and publicly affirm our identity as an antiracist organization, and we commit to antiracist policies, procedures, and practices within our organization. As a prominent early childhood organization in South Carolina, we also commit to assist in the work needed to develop and implement strategies that dismantle racism within all aspects of the early childhood education community.
History of SCECA
In 1950, the Columbia Preschool Council invited all the preschool teachers in the state to a meeting to hear Dr. Jimmy Hymes. Strong interest was expressed in forming a statewide group to connect and provide trainings to teachers across the state. A committee was appointed and representatives were sent to a meeting in Nashville. This meeting resulted in the formation of the Southern Association on Children Under Six.
In 1992, the name of our organization was changed to the South Carolina Early Childhood Association following the name change of the Southern Early Childhood Association. Our purpose was also expanded to serve children through the age of eight and their families.
With SCECA's membership growing to over 1500+ members, a variety of trainings have been established to help provide quality training to child care providers, administrators, and teachers across the state. An annual statewide conference was also established to provide training, networking and community among teachers throughout the state.
We are always looking for new ideas and ways to improve SCECA. Please feel to let us know how we are doing and how we can better serve the teachers of South Carolina.
Join SCECA
Fill out our online membership application.