About
Idaho AEYC connects Idaho's early learning system
The Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children connects the parts, pieces, and players of the early learning system in Idaho, whether a family lives in a small rural town or a growing city.
A group of early education trailblazers from every corner of Idaho founded the association in 1986. Today Idaho AEYC is affiliated with the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and the work still starts the same way it did: neighbors building what their youngest learners need.
What we do
Four commitments
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Child care close to home
Expanding access to affordable, high-quality child care, so a family can find care that works close to home rather than an hour from it.
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The people behind the care
Strengthening the early childhood workforce with training, scholarships, and support for the providers Idaho children depend on.
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What your child needs next
Putting early learning resources in front of families, so a parent knows what their child needs next without having to ask five agencies.
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Ready for school
Supporting kindergarten readiness and transition, so a child walks into class confident and a parent knows what to expect.
Policy engagement
Child care is decided in Boise as much as in the classroom
Idaho AEYC engages policymakers on early learning so families can find and afford quality child care, and so the people who provide it can build lasting careers.
Once a year
Early Learning Day at the Capitol
During the legislative session, advocates, collaborative members, and partners come inside the Idaho State Capitol to meet the people who write Idaho's laws.
The team
The people doing the work
Ten people, working from Boise for families, providers, and collaboratives across Idaho.
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Nicole Criner
Executive Director
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Jane Zink
Deputy Director
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Katrice Walters
Finance Director
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Martin Balben
Director of Strategic Initiatives
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Sheralynn Bauder
Director of External Relations
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Laurie Demko
Executive Assistant
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Heather Lee
Project Director, Early Learning Collaboratives
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Jonny Carkin
Director of Operations, Early Learning Collaboratives
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Phyllis Vernon
Kindergarten Transition Specialist
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Adrian Amo
Director of Family and Community Engagement
The board
A volunteer board from across Idaho
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Justin Snyder
President
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Kevin Bailey
Past President
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Anna Wolfenbarger
Treasurer
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Denise Ohrt
North Idaho Representative
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Krystal McFarlane
Southwest Idaho Representative
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Janet Salvoni
Magic Valley Representative
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Kelsey Skinner
Magic Valley Representative
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Kaelin Olsen
Eastern Idaho Representative
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Tonya Sears
Member-at-Large
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Jessie Davis
Member-at-Large
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DaLynn Hammer
Member-at-Large
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Kari Schweitzer Prange
Member-at-Large
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Tanner Tallan
Member-at-Large
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Liz Hatter
Member-at-Large
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Leslie Brown
Member-at-Large
In writing
Reports, plans, and checklists
Annual reports, statewide research, strategic plans, and the family checklist, all hosted here as searchable PDFs.
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2024 Annual Report
Idaho AEYC’s most recent annual report, the year’s work, programs, and finances.
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Idaho Needs Assessment Report
The statewide early learning needs assessment, what Idaho families and children need.
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Idaho School Readiness Project Strategic Plan 2025–2030
The five-year strategic plan for school readiness in Idaho.
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Quality Child Care Checklist
The family-facing checklist for evaluating a child care program.
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Nampa ELC Strategic Action Plan
Nampa Early Learning Collaborative’s strategic action plan.
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Pocatello-Chubbuck Local Needs Assessment
What Pocatello-Chubbuck families and children need, assessed locally.
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Kendrick-Juliaetta Local Needs Assessment
The Kendrick-Juliaetta communities’ local early learning needs assessment.
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North Idaho ELC Strategic Action Plan
The Coeur d’Alene-area collaborative’s strategic action plan.