Nominate Today!
We are looking for parents, childcare professionals, and teachers to be recognized at our 2nd Annual Childcare & Family Legacy & Award Ceremony. Attendee tickets go on sale in June!
Check our Recap from our conference last year!
2nd Annual Childcare & Family Legacy Conference + Awards Ceremony
Two days. One mission: celebrate the people shaping children’s futures.
Parents, Childcare Professionals, & Educators
Over 100 in Attendance
The ONLY Conference & Awards Ceremony dedicated to celebrating everyone who plays a role in the growth and development of children.
Official Voting Starts in June!
What This Event Is
This is not a regular conference. It’s a space where you will:
Learn practical tools you can use right away — Walk away with simple strategies, templates, and next-step actions you can apply immediately in your program, classroom, or home—no fluff, just results.
Build real connections with parents, professionals, and community partners — Network with people who can support your goals, refer families, collaborate on projects, and help you grow your impact and your opportunities.
Get recognized and celebrate others doing the work — Be part of a powerful awards experience that honors childcare leaders, parents, and professionals who are making a real difference in children’s lives every day.
Meet vendors and resources that support families and childcare businesses — Explore tools, services, and local resources designed to help you strengthen your program, improve operations, and better serve children and families.
Who Should Apply and/or Attend?
Childcare professionals (center owners, directors, teachers, staff, and home-based providers) who want stronger systems, fresh strategies, and more support for the work they do every day.
Parents and caregivers who want practical resources, community connections, and tools to better support their children’s growth and success.
Educators, coaches, and mentors who serve children and families and want new ideas, partnerships, and proven approaches that create real results.
Nonprofit leaders and community advocates focused on youth, education, and family services who want to collaborate, expand impact, and connect with the people doing the work on the front lines.
Vendors serving families and childcare programs who offer products, services, or resources and want to connect directly with decision-makers, parents, and childcare leaders.
Nominate Yourself or Someone You Know Today!
We are now accepting nominations for outstanding individuals in child care—Daycare Providers, Teachers, and Parents.
Below are the award categories, along with photos of last year’s winners.
Parent of the
Year Award
Recognizes a parent who consistently advocates for children, supports education, and actively partners with families and the community. The Parent of the Year demonstrates leadership, commitment, and a willingness to show up—not only for their own child, but for the greater good of children everywhere.
Family Day Home
Leadership Award
Recognizes an outstanding family day home professional who exemplifies leadership, innovation, and nurturing care in a home-based childcare setting.
Child Day Center
Excellence Award
Presented to a child day center leader who consistently provides high-quality early childhood education, fosters professional growth, and makes a lasting impact in their center and community.
Religious Exemption
Leadership Award
Celebrates a religiously exempt childcare program leader who upholds strong educational values, integrity, and community service in alignment with their faith-based mission.
Pre-K Teacher of the
Year Award
Celebrates a Pre-K educator who prepares young learners for school success through creative, intentional teaching and meaningful connections with families.
Early Childhood Educator
of the Year Award
Presented to a distinguished educator who exemplifies excellence in curriculum delivery, child development expertise, and advocacy for early learning.
Childcare Professional
of the Year Award
Awarded to a childcare professional who leads by example, demonstrating exceptional business acumen, community engagement, and commitment to raising industry standards.
Homeschool Educator
of the Year Award
Honors a homeschool parent who delivers outstanding instruction, fosters lifelong learning, and builds a legacy of educational excellence within their family.
Infant Teacher
of the Year Award
Honors an exceptional infant teacher who provides nurturing, developmentally appropriate care and fosters early learning foundations with dedication and compassion.
Toddler Teacher
of the Year Award
Recognizes a toddler teacher who inspires curiosity, independence, and growth through engaging, age-appropriate learning experiences.
Voluntary Registration
Excellence Award
Honors a childcare professional operating under voluntary state registration who demonstrates exceptional commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
The State of Childcare Today: Demanding, Underfunded, and Essential
Families and providers are carrying more responsibility than ever before.
We want to recognize you!
Why We’re Honoring This Year’s Award Recipients
These individuals were selected for the impact they make every day
Through leadership, service, and a consistent commitment to children and families.
They show consistent dedication and care in supporting the growth, safety, and development of children.
They go above and beyond their job titles to serve families and create positive environments for learning.
They demonstrate leadership and integrity in their work with children, parents, and their communities.
They have made a measurable impact through service, education, advocacy, or mentorship.
They represent excellence, commitment, and professionalism in the childcare and family space.
They inspire others by their example and help raise the standard of care for the next generation.
“Every child’s future is shaped by the adults who show up consistently, lead with love, and commit to doing the work that often goes unseen but never goes without impact.”
Testimonials
Here what attendees had to say about last year's conference & award ceremony
Join Us In September!
Join Dr. DeShonda Jennings (Mother of 7) for a powerful experience honoring parents, childcare professionals, educators, mentors, and community leaders—everyone connected to the development of children.
Who is Dr DeShonda Jennings?
Dr. DeShonda Jennings is a passionate advocate for children, families, and early childhood professionals. As a devoted mother of seven, she understands the importance of strong support systems for both parents and childcare professionals. She is the founder of the Childcare & Family Legacy Conference and Awards, created to honor and uplift those who play a vital role in the development of children. Through her leadership, Dr. Jennings brings together educators, parents, and community leaders to share resources, build partnerships, and celebrate excellence. Her mission is to strengthen families, empower childcare professionals, and create lasting impact in the lives of children.
A Two & 1/2 Days Full of Connections, Learning, & Recognition.
See Our 2026 Itenerary
Friday | Sept 25, 2026
6:00PM-7:00 PM VIP Dinner (VIP’s only)
7:00PM-8:00 PM Networking (All)
VIP tickets are limited, so once sales open, be sure to secure yours early. VIPs also receive priority seating and special gifts.
Saturday | Sept 26, 2026
8:00 AM-8:45 AM Registration (Visit Vendors & Pre-Conference Networking)
9:00AM-12:00PM Morning Sessions: Speakers TBA
12:00 PM-1:00 PM Lunch Break: Visit Vendors, Networking
1:00-4:00 PM Afternoon Sessions: Speakers TBA
4:00-5:00 PM Vendor Shopping, Networking, Testimonials
Registration, sessions, panels, raffles, awards, lunch networking, legacy strategies, self-care keynote, vendor shopping.
Venue for Conference
3030 the Venue
8257 Hull Street Road
Richmond VA 23235
Who's Speaking
Our speakers will be speaking on topics that are guaranteed to help you grow your childcare business and/or strengthen the relationships and results your children get from your services.
Dr. DeShonda Jennings
Additional Speakers
to be announced!
Sponsors and Partnerships
Thank you to our amazing sponsors of the conference, who will provide amazing goodies for our attendees.
Thank you to our community partners who help spread the word about this conference and connect us to the families and educators we serve.
Some of the Conference Topics
Bridging the Gap: Building Strong Parent-Professional Partnerships for Child Success
Raising Resilient Children: What Parents and Childcare Professionals Need to Know
Mastering Family Engagement: Turning Every Parent Interaction Into Opportunity
Financial Literacy and Business Strategy for Childcare Professionals
The Art of Leadership: Managing Teams, Families, and Yourself in Early Childhood Settings
The Future of Childcare: Adapting to Trends, Technology, and Changing Family Dynamics
FAQs
Answers to Your Key Questions About Childcare and Family Legacy Services
Can one be nominated for more than one category?
Yes however once we complete the interview of the nominee, if accepted they will be selected for up to two different categories to receive votes for.
When does voting start?
Voting will start June 1, 2026. However we will still accept nominations up to July 31st, 2026.
How does voting work?
This isn’t a popularity contest. Voting helps us see who’s actually sharing their nomination, but it’s not the final say. Once we spot the top 5 in each category, the real decision will be based on how well you actually fit the category—not just how many clicks you got.
Do I need to attend the conference & award ceremony?
If you are nominated, yes we are wanting all nominees to be at the conference and ceremony to receive their awards. We will not be mailing them out.
Can I nominate myself?
Yes of course you can. We plan to receive more than 250 nominations so just make sure that when we open up for interviews you set your appointment and not miss it.
How can I nominate someone for the Childcare Excellence Awards?
Nominations can be submitted through our website in the awards section by filling out a nomination form.
2026 Site Name - All rights reserved