23 Jan 2023 Better Beginnings seeking nominations for AOECP

Posted at 5:49 PMh in News by

LITTLE ROCK – Better Beginnings, a program of the Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education, is seeking nominations for the next Arkansas Outstanding Early Childhood Professional (AOECP). Established in 1988, this award administered by DCCECE honors an early childhood professional who makes significant contributions to the early care and education field in Arkansas.

Amber Scott, director of Grace Discovery Center in Hensley, was named the 2022 Arkansas Outstanding Early Childhood Professional.

“Child care providers are the workforce behind the workforce,” said Kelli Hilburn, Better Beginnings program administrator. “This award allows parents and other child care providers to recognize an early childhood professional who consistently goes above and beyond for the children placed in their care.”

To qualify for the award, nominees must:

  • Meet minimum licensing requirements for child care staff.
  • Be employed by a licensed provider in good standing.
  • Have taught an early childhood classroom for at least three years.
  • Plan to remain in early childhood in 2023.
  • Be willing and able to serve as an early childhood ambassador.

The winning professional will have an opportunity to serve on committees, represent early childhood educators in the media as needed, and be featured on media and social media outlets. Amber Scott, director of Grace Discovery Center in Hensley, was named the 2022 AOECP.

The nomination packet is available on the Better Beginnings website.

The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, February 17. See the nomination packet for submission details.