Envisioning a Better World

Where every child has a safe, healthy environment with caring people who promote their well-being, meet their individual needs, and support learning through play. A world where early childhood educators are regarded as professionals, well-compensated and have access to high-quality professional development opportunities.

Professional Growth & Development

NVAEYC provides professional development opportunities for educators to grow within our field. These learning opportunities promote high-quality learning sessions based on current research and best practices in early childhood.

Explore our upcoming professional development events and conferences.

Upcoming Events

In collaboration with NAEYC, state, and local organizations, NVAEYC informs members and the community about relevant local, state, and federal policies as well as communicates with legislators, advocating on behalf of young children and the early care and education workforce.

Advocacy

Learn more

Scholarships

NVAEYC’s Annual Scholarship Program supports the mission of NVAEYC to promote high-quality early learning for children birth through age eight. We connect practice, policy, and research to support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of children in Northern Virginia.

NVAEYC offers varying scholarships in three categories:

Academic Scholarship for higher education students
CDA Scholarship
Professional Development Grant for early childhood programs

Scholarship applications open in the Spring
Winners are announced during our May Conference.

Meet the Team
Board Members & Staff

Laura McCarty

President
Laura McCarty has over 15 years of experience as a paraprofessional, special education teacher, a district-level administrator, and is currently an adjunct professor at Northern Virginia Community College in the Department of Early Childhood Development. She has been involved with NVAEYC since 2020 and is a proud alum of the inaugural 2021 NVAEYC Advocacy Leadership Training Program. With practical classroom experience and a Juris Doctorate from Capital University Law School, Laura is eager to continue to support NVAEYC’s mission and advocate for the needs and sustainability of the early care and education workforce, and striving to ensure that all young children and their families have equitable access to high quality affordable early care and education.
Amanda Davis

Treasurer
Amanda Davis joined the NVAEYC Board in Fall 2023. Amanda has been working in the field of education for over 20 years. She currently holds a Virginia Department of Education teaching license and has taught Pre-K, Kindergarten, First, and Third grades. Amanda transitioned to school leadership initially serving as an assistant principal in an elementary school. Currently, she holds the position of Director of Early Childhood for Falls Church City Public Schools.
Paige Beatty

Secretary
Paige has been working with the NVAEYC Board for over 15 years. She is the Program Director for a government child care center in Washington, D.C. Paige and her team recently authored the article, "Community, Connections and COVID-19: How the House of Representatives Child Care Center Stayed Together While Working Apart," featured in the November/December 2020 edition of Child Care Exchange Magazine.
Kimberly Reinhard

Past President
Kimberly has been in the field of early childhood education for over 20 years as a teacher, director, trainer, consultant, and child care specialist. She is co-author of Rituals and Traditions: Fostering a Sense of Community in Preschool and has written articles for Teaching Young Children and Young Children. She has served on the NVAEYC Board for over seven years.
Lynn Cartledge

Member at Large
Lynn Cartledge works for Fairfax County as a VQB5 Area Supervisor with Ready Regions Capital Area. I have held many positions in the early care field, such as a Center Director, Special Needs Specialist, and Quality Improvement mentor. My years in the early care field have been blessed working with a group of individuals who have a strong passion to provide enhanced experience for the children in their care. I have my Bachelors in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason University.
Karin Spencer

Member at Large
Karin Spencer recently joined the NVAEYC Board. She has nearly 30 years of experience as a teacher, teacher coach, administrator, and teacher educator. Her work includes innovative program evaluation and professional development tools to support reflection and implementation of practices for teacher well-being, physically active play, and culturally responsive and mentally healthy environments. Her current work includes preparing early intervention and early childhood teachers at The George Washington University and Georgetown University, consulting, and nurturing others' confidence and wellness through mindful movement.
Kayla Angelosante

Member at Large
Anne de Dios

Member at Large
Diane Volcansek

Executive Director
Diane brings an impressive skill set and knowledge of the key issues in the early childhood community. Diane is an early childhood professional with more than 25 years of experience in the field as a teacher, administrator, grant administrator, and teacher-educator. She has also led early education programs through the NAEYC accreditation process.