The Association

APEI—the Association of Early Childhood Education Professionals—was founded in 1981 by a group of educators.
It is a national association composed of professionals and individuals who are motivated and interested in early childhood education (ages 0 to 6).
According to its Bylaws (Article 2), the Association’s purposes are:

• To promote the provision of information and continuing education for members;
• To promote innovation in educational practices and research in the field of early childhood education, as well as the dissemination of such findings;
• Develop joint initiatives with similar associations active in the field of education, whether national, foreign, or international;
• To defend the interests of members within the scope of their professional activities, excluding matters and demands of a specifically union-related nature.

It currently has more than 4,500 members and subscribers to the journals it publishes, and its work focuses heavily on the continuing education of teachers and other professionals working in services for children ages 0 to 6, as well as on issues related to educational policy, professional ethics, and relevant information on early childhood education, both nationally and internationally.

The ultimate goal of an association of this kind is to establish itself as a space for the professional identity of the entire educator community. However, to establish itself as a point of reference for professional identity, it must work simultaneously to consolidate educators’ own body of knowledge and to develop standards of professional conduct (…) The APEI must position itself as a forum for reference and debate, ensuring the necessary breaks with the past and continuities for the professional development of early childhood educators.

Mission

To contribute to training and information in the field of early childhood education, to professional and ethical identity and development, and to innovation in educational practices and policies for children ages 0 to 6, while earning the trust and commitment of our members, employees, and partners, and creating value for our members and for the country.

To organize and provide continuing education and information services, participate in the public discourse, and offer consulting services throughout the country, while being recognized for its quality, creativity, and effectiveness.

Vision

To strengthen its representativeness among early childhood education professionals and with national and international organizations through a strong commitment to human resources development, research, and the production and publication of materials and resources that are significant for the development and quality of educational responses.

Diversify opportunities for participation in public debate in order to ensure sustained growth and social recognition.

Values

APEI has core values that underpin its role as a professional association and its participation in the broader civic sphere. These values guide our work.

Quality —striving to achieve the best results and levels of service, based on meeting the community’s needs, embracing the principle of continuous improvement, and promoting cooperation, partnership, and networking.

Responsibility —adopting a proactive attitude that allows one to “respond” as appropriately as possible, for the good of others, and that requires attentive and thoughtful personal commitment.

Integrity —reflected in honest, fair, and consistent conduct grounded in the personal qualities of our team and associates.

Perseverance —making a continuous effort to improve the association’s efficiency and effectiveness; taking a proactive approach that fosters public debate focused on the quality of early childhood education.

In 2007, APEI was granted the status of a public-benefit legal entity (Order No. 23 469/2007, Office of the Prime Minister).