South Carolina Early Childhood Association
PROVIDING SUPPORT AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS
  

The 2027 SCECA-SECA Regional Conference

We are now accepting Call for Proposals - Click the link below to sign up! 

https://forms.gle/yx7x9ZZ7gQHWUAye8


Back To The Basics:

Building A Stronger Foundation

For A Brighter Future”


In the fast-paced world of education, it is easy to get caught up in the latest trends and ever-changing technologies. But just like any enduring structure, the success of our children depends entirely on the strength of their foundation. How many of us can remember singing along with The Jackson 5 as they sang “A-B-C, Easy as 1-2-3” or Aaliyah as she sings the chorus to “Back and Forth?” Both songs symbolize the overarching goal for the 2027 SCECA/SECA Conference. When we focus on the essentials—purposeful play, social-emotional roots, and fundamental literacy and numeracy—we ensure that every child has a steady floor to stand on and a clear path to climb.

It’s time to strip away the noise and return to what we know works best. It’s time to reinforce the pillars of early childhood development that support a lifetime of learning.

So, mark your calendars and join your fellow educators, advocates, and experts from February 4–6, 2027, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for SCECA/SECA Regional conference.

Together, we will:

* Rediscover the core principles of effective teaching.

* Strengthen the tools we use to support our youngest learners.

*Build a collective vision for a brighter and more stable future for all children.

Let’s get back to what matters most and let’s build it right, from the ground up!


#BackToBasics #SCECA2027 #BuildingFoundations

2027 SCECA-SECA

Regional Conference

Feb 4-6, 2027

    Myrtle Beach Convention Center
Myrtle Beach, SC

You must register online,

even if you plan to pay by check.

   2027 Conference Planning Committee

Mary Williams - 2027 Conference Chair     Judy Whitesell - SCECA Meeting Planner

  Dona Pitts - SCECA Executive Director

Stephanie Barton - Chief Financial Officer     Ashley Riddle - SCECA President

Questions? Contact:

 Dona Pitts: 803-924-1421, executivedirector@sceca.org

Stephanie Barton: 803-522-5839, cfo@sceca.org 

Featured Speakers


       Friday, Feb 6, 2025  @ 12:20-2:10pm           

Advocacy Luncheon Event   

with Topher and Tabitha Lewis


Don’t be Down! Inspire others to look Up! There is a beautiful World that needs your story! Topher was born with Trisomy 21 but his journey has been undeniably different. His diagnosis hasn’t changed. It never will. But, the intentional advocacy and support from so many along his path has shaped his journey and shifted his diagnosis in the most incredible way. No diagnosis is the same. No journey will ever look the same as another. The hope in thediagnosis comes with the help from the ones who’ve gone before!

“We become better in our experience because someone shared theirs!”

Must purchase a ticket ($55) to attend.the Advocacy Luncheon Credit:  SN/ 1 hr.



  

Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 @ 12:30 - 2:00pm   

Student Special Event 

with Samantha Black   

Food, Fun & Door Prizes!  

SCECA will treat SCECA Student Members to a pizza lunch and a fun filled experience. Come ready to learn by doing and collecting new skills and ideas you can utilize in your classrooms. We hope to give you plenty of ideas to make you a successful teacher of the future. 

Must purchase a ticket ($5.00) to attend the Student Event. Credit:  CG/ 1 hr.

Keynote Speakers


Thursday, Feb 5

David Winchester

6:30pm-7:30pm

          

Friday, Feb 6

Deborah Depaoli

11:00am-12:20pm


Saturday, Feb 7

Dr. Crystal Campbell

11:00am-12:20pm



Registration Details

Deadline to apply to attend the 2027 SCECA Conference is January 02, 2026. After, January 2nd, the conference fees will increase by $25 to encompass the late fee. We will continue to take online registrations until Monday, 2/2/2026. If you receive a scholarship and you have already paid with your personal funds, our Registration staff will refund the fees you paid after the completion of the conference.

  • All forms should be completed on this website. Payment can be made using your credit card online, or you can mail a check in after you complete your online registration. Checks should be written to SCECA and received by January 02, 2026 to avoid the additional $25 late fee.
  • You will need to enter your home address, personal email and personal cell phone number to register. This must match the information you gave to SC Endeavors. Please check your personal page on SC Endeavors to be sure they match your registration information. Even if you are a part of a group membership, we need each person’s individual information. If you do not have an email address, you will need to get one from Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail or another source. We cannot have multiple members with duplicate email addresses.
  • You will receive an email receipt and confirmation of registration when you pay online with a credit card.
  • If you choose offline payment by check, you will receive a notification of Pending Registration. You are not registered until SCECA receives your payment. You will receive a receipt, and confirmation of registration once your check has been received. Checks returned for insufficient funds will be charged a $30.00 fee.
  • NO REFUNDS FOR REGISTRATION!
  • Purchase orders can be processed this year. If your school district needs to process purchase orders to get permission to attend, you will register for the conference and choose the "invoice me" option. Print/email the invoice to the appropriate district office employee. Email approved Purchase Order to Stephanie Barton at cfo@sceca.org. Purchase Orders must be paid by February 1, 2026, or at late fee of $25 will be assessed.

Scholarships

The ABCQ Program has offered scholarships to attend the conference. Their deadline to sign up for scholarships is stated on their application. Be sure to register quickly to apply for these scholarships. ABC will send you specific instructions on how to register for the conference online. No scholarship code is needed. ABC will allow 8 employees from each center to be awarded a scholarship.  If a center chooses to apply for the ABC Travel Grant, only 2 SCECA Conference scholarships will be awarded by ABC. You must choose ONE option: 2 Travel Grants OR up to 8 Regular Conference Only Registrations. You must register for the conference online BEFORE the conference. You will have the option to purchase additional event tickets for preconference sessions, the advocacy luncheon, and pre-order t-shirts when you register. The scholarship pays for your conference registration and your SCECA membership only. If you pay your registration and membership fees before you are awarded a scholarship, SCECA can refund those fees after the completion of the conference. If you aren't sure if you qualify for the scholarship, contact ABC or SCECA registration to be sure before the conference. NO SCHOLARSHIPS will be awarded at the conference.

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