2026 Voice for Children Celebration

Mark your calendars today! Friday, April 10, 2026

Thank you to all who attended and sponsored the 2025 Voice Awards!

We are excited to announce the nomination and application process for the 2026 Voice for Children Awards. Do you know an ECE professional that stands out as an advocate for ECE and has demonstrated outstanding efforts to make others known about the importance of Early Care and Education Investments? If so nominate them today.

PennAEYC is seeking nominations for the 

2026 VOICE for Children Award

PennAEYC recognizes the critical role advocacy plays in access to high-quality early care and education settings and celebrates those who speak on behalf of Pennsylvania’s children. Community advocates are critical to ensuring all Pennsylvania children get the start that they deserve in school and in life.

The VOICE for Children Award is the only statewide award in Pennsylvania recognizing early care and education professionals, who are not paid advocates, that go above and beyond their daily work in the field by being grassroots leaders through advocacy and public policy efforts. The VOICE Award celebrates not only individual award recipients, but the early childhood profession. 

Do you know an outstanding early childhood professional or student who is raising their voice to make a difference in the lives of young children and families through advocacy? PennAEYC is asking you to nominate qualified individuals to be recognized for their contributions.

The winners will be honored at the VOICE for Children Award Reception and Dinner on Friday, April 10, 2026, at the Hershey Lodge, 325 University Drive, Hershey PA.

Nominee Eligibility Criteria

Nominees must meet the following:

1. Display dispositions of a model early childhood advocate or student advocate including (but not exclusive to) serving as an expert witness, providing public testimony, appearing in media, serving on a board in a public policy capacity, receiving distinctive honors or awards for advocacy work, leading advocacy campaigns or actions, working with leaders or elected officials, and/or recognized as an early childhood advocate or leader in their community.
2. Be a current member of PennAEYC.

Nominator Guidelines

Nominators must:

1. Submit completed nomination forms by the deadline. Include specific documentation (such as links to newspaper articles, titles, awards/honors) to substantiate a nominee’s advocacy efforts. 
2. Limit the description of the nominee’s outstanding advocacy to a 500-word maximum.
3. Include a biography of the nominee, if available. A biography is not required.
4. Submit additional letters of support and endorsements of the nominee. Encourage your colleagues to complete the nomination form and indicate their endorsement of the nominee. 
5. Membership with PennAEYC is not required for the nominator.

Submit your 2026 PennAEYC VOICE for Children Award nomination via email to 

Rose Snyder, rsnyder@pennaeyc.org using “2026 VOICE Nomination” in the subject line by Saturday, November 15, 2025.

Registration is now closed for the 2026 VOICE for Children Celebration. Registration will open in January 2026. Mark your calendar today!

Event Fees:

Early Bird: Coming in January 2026

Regular Registration: Coming in January 2026

Event Schedule:

Friday, April 10, 2026 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm

• 5:30 PM to 6:30 pm Reception with a selection of light hors d’oeuvres and a cash beverage bar will be available
• 6:30 PM to 8:30 pm VOICE for Children Awards Dinner and Program

See Hotel and overnight accommodation information below

We are honored to celebrate the accomplishments of professionals who have demonstrated outstanding dedication and commitment to advocating for high quality early learning opportunities in Pennsylvania.

Congratulations to the 2025 VOICE for Children Award Honorees

Congratulations to the 2025 VOICE for Children Distinguished Career Award Honoree

Congratulations to the  2025 VOICE for Children Vision Award Honoree

Accepting on behalf of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce

Read Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce Bio

Overnight Hotel Options,

Make it a weekend in beautiful Hershey, PA.

Book your hotel reservation in January 2026

Hotel reservation rates for 2026 Voice event will be $229.00/room + tax and fees. More information will be available late fall 2025!

For information on how your company can support and sponsor PennAEYC events please contact Rose Snyder rsnyder@pennaeyc.org or call 717-635-9026 ext. 300

Voice for Children Celebration Sponsors

2025 VOICE for Children Platinum Sponsors

2025 VOICE for Children Gold Sponsors

2025 VOICE for Children Silver Sponsors

2025 VOICE for Children Bronze Sponsors

2025 VOICE for Children Hero Sponsors

2025 VOICE for Children Supporters

For information on how your company can support and sponsor PennAEYC events please contact Rose Snyder at rsnyder@pennaeyc.org or call 717-635-9026.

Visit our Archives for Past Awards