The Early Childhood Education (ECE) is part of the Pacific Union Conference Office of Education. The purpose of the ECE is to establish a relationship among Seventh-day Adventist conference entities and provide information and resources for the establishment and maintenance of ECE facilities throughout in the Pacific Union who are presently and/or contemplating the operation of an ECE program.

Philosophy of Early Childhood Education

ECE has its foundation in the biblical imperative for purposeful training of the young child.  As Christian educators, we are admonished to teach the words of the Bible “diligently unto the children,” and to “train up a child in the way he should go” (Deut. 6:7 and Prov. 22:6).

The Pacific Union Conference recognizes that the early education and care of young children is the beginning of a continual growth process. “Too much importance cannot be placed upon the early training of children. The lessons learned, the habits formed, during the years of infancy and childhood, have more to do with the formation of the character and the direction of the life than have all the instruction and training of after years” (Ministry of Healing, p. 380).

Adventist ECE programs seek to nurture the minds of young children strengthening their ability to be thinkers rather than mere reflectors of the thoughts of others (Education, p. 17), provide loving service rather than seeking selfish ambition, maximizing the development of one’s potential and appreciating all that is beautiful, true and good.

In partnership with the home and church, it is essential that a balanced ECE program be established to meet the needs of a child’s spiritual, physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development. This focus has the full intention of affirming the value of each child and family, bringing them closer to Christ (NAD Working Policy FED 05 10). 

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