Amber Scott, director of Grace Discovery Center in Hensley, was named the 2022

AOECP.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (January 18, 2023) – Better Beginnings, a program of the
Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Child Care and Early Childhood
Education, is seeking nominations for the next Arkansas Outstanding Early Childhood
Professional (AOECP). Established in 1988, this award administered by DCCECE honors
an early childhood professional who makes significant contributions to the early care and
education field in Arkansas.

“Child care providers are the workforce behind the workforce,” said Better Beginnings
Program Administrator Kelli Hilburn. “This award allows parents and other child care
providers to recognize an early childhood professional who consistently goes above and
beyond for the children placed in their care.”

To qualify for the award, nominees must:

 Meet minimum licensing requirements for child care staff.
 Be employed by a licensed provider in good standing.
 Have taught an early childhood classroom for at least three years.
 Plan to remain in early childhood in 2023.
 Be willing and able to serve as an early childhood ambassador.

The winning professional will have an opportunity to serve on committees, represent early
childhood educators in the media as needed, and be featured on media and social media
outlets. Amber Scott, director of Grace Discovery Center in Hensley, was named the 2022
AOECP.

The nomination packet is available on the Better Beginnings website.
The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, February 17. See the nomination packet
for submission details.
For more information on finding quality child care in Arkansas or about Better
Beginnings, follow their social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or
visit arbetterbeginnings.com.

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About Arkansas Better Beginnings:
Better Beginnings is Arkansas’s tiered quality rating and improvement system for child care, early
education and school-age programs that have gone above and beyond the state minimum
requirements. Better Beginnings is administered by the Arkansas Department of Human Services
Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education. Better Beginnings connects Arkansas families
with the information and care that helps children experience a safe, happy and healthy childhood.