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Pathways: Early Childhood Educators

Parish-sponsored Early Childhood Programs are the most common type of Episcopal school. They nurture young learners at a crucial moment of their development, and provide important support to families by fostering a safe, inclusive environment for children to grow spiritually, socially, emotionally, and intellectually.

Here are some resources to support your program.

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Recent Webinars for Early Childhood Programs

Building a Children’s Chapel—Being Present (Webinar)

Our presence and the way that we are present are central to creating an effective and deeply meaningful chapel for young children. In this webinar, we will explore how we can do this. From choosing the stories to the ways we tell them; from choosing songs to the way we sing them; from thinking about visual support to the children creating art; all these we will consider so that we can bring our best to these special times together.

Developing an Understanding of Young Children’s Learning Through Play: The Place of Observation, Interaction, and Reflection (Webinar)

Young children are competent and capable learners and providing a rich and meaningful environment honors their growth and development through play. Understanding how children move along a dynamic developmental continuum in their thinking provides early childhood educators with the lens to provide foundational support for later learning. See how children move from object transformation to ideational transformation which leads to more abstract mathematical and literacy development all in the context of play.

The Spirituality of the Child (Webinar)

Decades of research confirm that children are innately spiritual beings, but knowing how to nurture that spirituality best is challenging. This webinar will explore how children embody their spirituality and practices for nurturing the spiritual lives of children in your classrooms and schools using principles from Godly Play, an imaginative approach to religious education.

Early Childhood Programs — Bylaws and Board Composition (Webinar)

Early childhood programs that exist in relationship to an Episcopal parish or other church entity have distinctive governance structures, whereby the vestry delegates to a school board—through bylaws—the governance of the school. Who should sit on the school board? How might they be selected? What authority is reserved by the vestry and what authority is delegated to the school board? When and by whom should bylaws be changed? NAES will offer an overview of common practices and current trends.
MORE WEBINAR RECORDINGS

Latest Articles for Early Childhood Programs

NAES Early Childhood Education Survey Report

The purpose of this survey is to provide a demographic profile of Episcopal early childhood programs across the country for analytical, comparative, and reporting purposes as well as to assist program directors, governing boards, and vestries in important program-level decision-making. The results provide a profile of Episcopal early childhood programs including characteristics of early childhood programs, parish early childhood programs, staffing, benefits, and governance.

Book & Video Series: Building A Children’s Chapel, One Story at a Time

Based on his work with young children at the Episcopal School of New York, teacher and storyteller Gordh offers a collection of stories from the Bible, arranged and told to create a meaningful…

Common Prayer for Children and Families

Common Prayer for Children and Families is a collection of prayers and liturgies written for kids and the adults or communities who pray with them. Whimsically illustrated with pen and ink, this book…

Book & Video Series: Making Room for Everyone

For ages 3-11. Working with the same overall themes of his first book, Building a Children’s Chapel: One Story at a Time, Bill Gordh presents a wide range of folktales from around the world, stories…

Roles and Responsibilities: Parish Day School Board

A sample list of typical duties and responsibilities of board members in a parish day school. This document reflects recommended best practices. It is intended as a draft document for discussion and for the creation of a list unique in each church and school.

Shared-Expenses Allocation

This documents provides a rationale and process that schools and churches should adopt when determining and allocating shared expenses. It explores: revenue and expense sources in church and school budgets; the benefits of allocation as opposed to undifferentiated lump sum payments; optimal church and school governance structures necessary for the process; implementation suggestions and instructions; and lists of key budget areas for consideration.

The Composition of Episcopal School and ECE Program Boards

This article offers some key considerations to keep in mind when reviewing or evaluating your school board’s composition.

Roles and Responsibilities: Early Childhood Program Director

A sample list of typical duties and responsibilities of the director of a parish Early Childhood program. This document reflects recommended best practices. It is intended as a draft document for discussion and for the creation of a list unique in each church and school.

Roles and Responsibilities: Early Childhood Program Board

A sample list of typical duties and responsibilities of board members of an Early Childhood program. This document reflects recommended best practices. It is intended as a draft document for discussion and for the creation of a list unique in each church and school.
MORE RESOURCES

Upcoming Events for Early Childhood Programs

Early Childhood Educators Chat (Weekly)

August 19, 2025–June 09, 2026
Zoom Meeting

A series of facilitated chats to connect with peers, share ideas, and learn from one another.

Episcopal Identity: Equity and Justice Conference

February 10–13, 2026
Equal Justice Initiative
Montgomery, AL

Explore our work in Episcopal schools through the lens of Micah 6:8 and the baptismal covenant.

Biennial Conference 2026

November 18–20, 2026
JW Marriott L.A. LIVE
Los Angeles, CA

The premiere nationwide gathering of Episcopal educators.

Episcopal Identity Summit

November 10–12, 2027
New York, NY

Now accepting paper abstract submissions!

Join the Online Community

The NAES Online Community is the best way for members to connect and collaborate. Get started with the Online Community today by creating a profile or signing in to your NAES account.

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Top Products for Your School

  • About Episcopal Schools, 2nd Ed.

    This full color poster and pamphlet, newly updated and revised in 2022, examines the key characteristics common to all Episcopal schools, including aspects of Episcopal identity, faith-life, chapel, moral development, academic excellence, and social justice.

    This publication is pamphlet-sized, but can be unfolded and used as a poster. Perfect for use in admission and development information kits, as a faculty/staff training resource or as a general information tool. Available only to members and affiliate members.

    This product is exclusively for NAES members. Log in to place an order for this item.

    VIEW IN STORE

  • Principles of Good Practice for School Ministry in Episcopal Schools

    The ministry of a school chaplain, in Episcopal schools, is both a time-honored one, as well as one that currently exists amidst a great deal of change. Adopted by the NAES Governing Board in 2016, this document highlights the potential for school chaplaincy and serves as a resource for a school for the evaluation of the chaplain position, as a vehicle for the review of Episcopal identity, and an aid in formulating a position description and search tool for a new chaplain.

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  • Principles of Good Practice for Chapel and Worship in Episcopal schools

    Adopted by the NAES Governing Board in April 2011, this document is intended to affirm the commitment of Episcopal schools to chapel programs that are creative, inclusive, and draw fully upon the liturgical resources of the Episcopal Church; offer a broad perspective on the goals, purposes, structure, and best practices for Episcopal school chapel and worship; support Episcopal schools in their efforts to develop meaningful, age-appropriate worship that is aligned with each school’s mission and culture and that nurtures the spiritual lives of all members of the school community; help Episcopal schools engage their larger community in dialogue about the role of chapel and worship; and serve as a useful tool for the school’s assessment of its chapel program, whether undertaken independently or as part of an accreditation process.

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  • Principles of Good Practice for Governance in Episcopal Parish Day Schools

    Adopted by the NAES Governing Board in 2008, this document is intended to support the professionals and volunteers of both the church and school as they seek to be responsible, caring leaders and partners in the governance of the parish day school; assist vestries, rectors, school board members, and heads in understanding their roles and responsibilities, and the boundaries that define each particular role in the governance process of a parish day school; and guide discussion and processes as leaders strive to create trusting, collegial, and mutually fulfilling relationships in the parish day school setting.

    This title is perfect for use in staff, vestry, and board handbooks and training sessions; and as an aid at times of transition in a school’s life.

    VIEW IN STORE

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Connect with NAES

We’re here for you! To learn more about how NAES supports your school, contact Claire Leheny, NAES Director of Engagement, by calling (212) 716-6135 or by emailing claire@episcopalschools.org.

EMAIL CLAIRE

More Resources for Your School

Early Childhood Wisdom Circles
Apply for an Outreach Grant for Your School
Principles of Good Practice Series