About Us

Engaged Early Education works to empower Johnson County early childhood educators and caregivers to create lasting, positive change for young children through support, advocacy and increased resource access. Early childhood education is crucial as it lays the foundation for lifelong learning and social and emotional growth. Evidence-based methods for teaching young children emphasizes fostering a supportive, engaging and developmentally appropriate learning environment. 

Unfortunately, a lack of resources in many classrooms and homes causes caregivers to struggle with implementing critical hands-on experiences and enrichment activities. Caregivers struggle with finding high quality events that engage their children's young minds and provide them with ways to further expand learning at home. 

Engaged Early Education works to address these resource gaps by sharing engaging, hands-on curriculum plans and kits with caregivers and educators, as well as hosting engaging, fun community events for families. 

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To learn more about our administrators and Advisory Council members, visit our full About Us page.

Engaged Early Education offers a variety of services for early childhood classrooms and administrators, such as:

• "Done with you" STEAM based programming - Tiny & Junior Scientists

• Program and Teacher Mentoring

• Lesson Kit rentals (Coming Soon)

• Free resources, books and classroom materials

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Engaged Early Education also provides a number of community events and services for community members, like:

• STEAM Storytime Events

• Junior Scientists Private Party

• Community event hosting for kids tables, activities and more
   

​Engaged Early Education is focused on three projects throughout 2024/2025:​

• Operational Expenses

• Building our Volunteer Network

• Building a Free to Use Lending Library of User-Friendly Teaching Kits
  
   If you are a child care provider, center, school or organization looking to expand into more integrative practices in the classroom, see our Current Services page to see if we can work together.  
  
  As an endeavor of The James Gang and registered non-profit 501(c)3 organization in the state of Iowa, Engaged Early Education believes in the power of community centered progress and education. In order to build the organization's efforts, reach and resources, some services require a donation for administrative costs and in building other offerings. We also regularly seek out corporate partnerships, grant opportunities and conduct fundraising campaigns. If your company or organization would like to sponsor services or programs for an area child care facility, school or program, please contact me to discuss earmarking donations for this purpose. ​
  
  Engaged Early Childhood prioritizes LGBTQIA+ inclusion alongside anti-bias and anti-racist education practices and believes that all children, of all abilities, deserve a positive, caring educational environment.