2026 NAFCC National Annual Conference
Building Bridges, Raising
Voices, Shaping Futures
Save the date
July 16-18,2026
Chicago, IL
2026 NAFCC National Annual Conference
Save the date
July 16-18,2026
Chicago, IL

Sonia Manzano
“Maria” on Sesame Street & Best-Selling Author
When you think of Sonia Manzano, you immediately think of children and television. Her most recent accomplishment was creating a children’s program, Alma’s Way, for PBS KIDs. It has won two Imagen Awards for Best Youth Programing, a 2022 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Preschool Animated Program and a 2023 NAACP nomination for an Image Award.
But what Ms. Manzano is best known for is performing the role of “Maria” on Sesame Street for 44 seasons, where her work affected the lives of millions of parents and children and garnered her two Emmy Award nominations in addition to the National Academy of Arts and Science’s Lifetime Achievement Daytime Emmy in 2016. As a writer for the show, she took home 15 Emmys. Also – Manzano recently received the 2022 Beacon Award from PBS.
She is also the author of four picture books and three Young Adult novels. Her most recent Scholastic novel, Coming Up Cuban, set in 1959, follows the lives of four children who represent different intersections of race and class during the Cuban Revolution.
Topics:
Get ready to show your NAFCC Conference Spirit in style — our official Chicago Conference T-Shirts are COMING SOON!
Order by May 1, 2026, to have your shirt shipped right to your home before you head to Chicago.
Let’s represent together! Whether you’re networking, learning, or celebrating at the conference, wear your t-shirt proudly and be part of the energy.
Don’t wait — NAFCC Conference T-Shirts Order Now
Deadline to order: May 1, 2026
#NAFCC2026 #ChicagoConference #ConferenceStyle #ShowYourSpirit #FamilyChildCare #LearningLeadingLiftingFCC
We believe in the power of you, and in the power of gathering, collaborating, and meeting in person.
NAFCC 2025 conference is just around the corner! This highly anticipated event promises to bring together family child care educators, advocates, ECE agencies and friends from across the country for an unforgettable experience of learning, networking, and inspiration.
Thank you to this year’s sponsors.

















Thank you to this year’s exhibitors.










































Auburn University will offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for conference attendees. All attendees are required to sign in at each session they attend during the conference.
Continuing Education Units-Conference participants may earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Please note that Continuing Education Units (CEUs) transcript will be available for purchase within one month after the end date of the conference. See the link below for all participants who have signed the sin sheets during the conference sessions. Click the link to purchase your transcript once it becomes available Request Transcript.
For more information, please contact us at conference@nafcc.org.
Participant Communication Preferences
The participant now has the option of:
COVID/Health/Safety
If individuals are feeling sick NAFCC advises you not to attend the conference. As we are concerned for your health/safety and others. Thank you for your understanding. Safe Travels!
Currently:
The City of Chicago has lifted all COVID-19 related mandates, and the Hyatt Regency O’Hare does not have any COVID-19 policies in place.
July 15th-July 17th, 2027
Jacksonville, FL
July 16th -July 18th, 2026
Chicago, IL
July 31 – Aug 2, 2025
Dallas, TX
July 24 – July 17, 2024
St. Louis, MO
July 12 – July 15, 2023
Atlanta, GA
“The NAFCC team has done it again. The conference was amazing”
“Wonderful experience. I loved the reunion of people from all over. I enjoyed the variety of sessions.”
“I enjoyed my time and learned a lot. The staff was friendly, helpful, and professional. The session instructors for the sessions I attended were very knowledgeable and engaging!”
“The NAFCC went above and beyond to have a beautifully inspiring event. All the hours of hard work and passion showed in the phenomenal presentations they created. This was my first time attending and I plan on many more to come.”
“I enjoyed myself!! Networking, with different perspectives on different cultures and styles of teaching and communication.”
“I would recommend the NAFCC conference to any homebased childcare providers, also anybody that supports homebased childcare providers. It’s a place where you can level up your skills, you can connect with people, and do a lot of reflection.”
“I was so happy to attend and contribute to the pre-conference Global Learning Convening. I learned so much from the other participants. All of us were excited to learn and share, and also to continue this global networking!”
“Every presenter has been very well prepared and brought up information that is valuable for everyone.”
“Thank you all for the great work and thought behind such a great conference. Each professional development session provided a roadmap to understanding how to move forward with quality, accreditation, and better business practices for FCC educators/business owners.”
“I am gathering some great takeaways on how to help others in the field, inspire them and empower them to continue doing what we’ve been doing and continuing to take care of the children and families in our program and be the amazing providers that we are.”
“Most valuable was the audience of FCC educators and organizations supporting them in attendance…all of the interactions were valuable to us as an organization. The booth areas were large and well equipped in terms of what we’d need. It was nice to network with other vendors and FCC organizations inside the hall. I also liked…
“I had a great experience at the NAFCC Conference! It was inspiring, informative, and filled with opportunities to grow and connect with other passionate early childhood professionals”
“All I can say is WOW! I’ve never been to a conference this big, but it’s so organized. I haven’t been here for 24 hours and I’m already networking with other family home providers. It’s bright, it’s colorful, I’m excited for what’s going to come for the rest of the weekend.”
“First time attending and looking forward to many more events.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed this year’s conference. The variety and number of sessions provided a wealth of learning opportunities, and I was especially impressed by the quality of the speakers.”
“I love coming to the annual conference. The professional development, the networking, the learning. No other experience comes close to what I get out of this conference every year.”

Director of Professional Development
DMattocks@nafcc.org

Conference Coordinator
EFallon@nafcc.org