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2025 Annual Conference: Where the Wild Things Play


Where the Wild Things Play!

Get ready to let the Wild Rumpus start! 🦁👑

Child Care Aware of Northcentral Arkansas invites you to mark your calendars for our 28th Annual Child Care Conference as we journey into the wild world of play and imagination!


🌟 Theme: Where the Wild Things Play: Unleashing Adventure in Early Childhood
📅 Date: Saturday, September 27th, 2025
⏰ Time: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
📍 Location: Independence Hall, UACCB Campus
🎟️ Registration Opens: April 1st – Don’t miss out on early bird pricing!

But wait…there’s more!

🌟 Keynote Speaker: Ron Shuali! 🌟
Ron’s dynamic energy and innovative ideas will unleash your inner wild thing and inspire you to bring adventure and excitement to your classroom. You can learn more about Ron at www.ronspeak.com, and be sure to check out his videos — they’re just as wild as his blue hair! 💙🌀

Join us as we explore how to create a kingdom where children’s imaginations can run wild and free. Expect hands-on workshops, inspiring keynote speakers, and strategies to turn your classroom into a land of adventure!

Stay tuned for more details! But remember... 👉 “Let the wild rumpus begin!”

View Program

Registration

  • Registration deadline is Wednesday September 24th @ midnight.

  • Scholarships are available (See details below)

Payment Online

  • Payment can be made online or by check.  After submitting your registration you will be redirected to pay online.

  • If you choose to pay online, you can pay for multiple individuals after registering. 

Payment by Check

  • Make a check payable to: "Child Care Aware of Northcentral Arkansas"

  • Include a note with your name or names if paying for multiple participants.

  • Mail to: Child Care Aware of Northcentral Arkansas, PO Box 2396, Batesville AR 72503.

  • Note: Check payments must be received no later than ONE WEEK before the event.

If you have any questions, please contact Amy at (870) 793-5233 or email at apinkston@wrpdd.org

Scholarships

We are excited to share that 150 Conference Scholarships are available for the upcoming 28th Annual Child Care Conference on Saturday, September 27th at UACCB. Each scholarship covers conference registration and lunch.

📌 Scholarship Priorities

To ensure fairness and support for programs at every level, scholarships will be awarded in the following order:

  • Highest Priority: Better Beginnings Level 1 and Level 2 programs

  • Then: Level 3–4 programs

  • Finally: Level 5–6 programs

📌 Scholarship Limits Per Facility

To allow equitable access across programs:

  • Level 1–2 programs may receive up to 4 scholarships

  • Level 3–4 programs may receive up to 3 scholarships

  • Level 5–6 programs may receive up to 2 scholarships

  • Not participating in Better Beginnings my receive up to 1 scholarship

(If scholarships remain after the first round, they will be redistributed to other levels until all 150 are awarded.)

📌 Action Needed

If your program would like to be considered for scholarships, please complete this quick Scholarship Request Form by Friday, September 19th at 5:00 p.m. 

👉Conference Scholarship Request Form

Scholarships will be confirmed within 2 business days of your request.

We encourage you to apply quickly, as availability is limited and registration is almost full.

Thank you for all you do to support children, families, and quality early learning across Arkansas. We look forward to seeing you at the conference!

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Pre-K CLASS Observation Training (Heber Springs)

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October 14

Pre-Licensing Training (Conway)