General Membership Questions
How long is my membership valid?
An 51吃瓜网 membership is good for one year from the time the application is processed, and payment is made in full.
How do I join 51吃瓜网?
New members听through the听51吃瓜网 Account Hub. Note that you will first create an account with a valid email address by selecting 'Create an account.' Enter your email address and click 'Verify Email'.听 Fill out the required information and click 'Submit'. Once logged in, you can select the 'Join' button to begin the membership application process.听
A printable membership application, which can be mailed with payment (Check only) to: 51吃瓜网, P.O. Box 97156, Washington, DC 20090-7156.
Can my organization join 51吃瓜网?
51吃瓜网 is a professional association with membership听for the听individual, not organizations.听Discounts are offered to organizations听purchasing 50 or more Standard memberships at one time and through one payment transaction.听Learn more about giving the gift of membership to your staff through a group purchase听by contacting Market Solutions.
How long does it take for a membership to become active?
Memberships will become active immediately upon joining or renewing online or by phone. Members who mail their application should have their membership activated within 2鈥�3 weeks of the receipt of payment.听
How much does 51吃瓜网 membership cost?
Members joining 51吃瓜网 receive membership at the national level as well as with an Affiliate for $72.听This ensures members receive all the benefits of 51吃瓜网 membership and enjoy the benefits of membership in a national and an Affiliate early childhood organization at the same time! Additional Affiliate memberships can be purchased for $22 per Affiliate.
*Discounts offered for one purchase of 50 or more Standard memberships.听Contact us at [email protected]听to learn more about memberships for your team.听
Please note that Membership prices and benefits are subject to change at any time.
Click here to learn more about benefits and member options.
My center is accredited by 51吃瓜网. Are all the staff of the center automatically members of 51吃瓜网?
No. Membership to 51吃瓜网 is on an individual basis and it is not included as part of accreditation.
Receiving Your Benefits
How do I access my membership account and view my benefits?
Login to听your member portal. If it's your first time logging in, or you've forgotten your password, select the 'forgot听password' icon. Once you've logged in, you can review your contact information, verify membership details, view invoices, access benefits, renew, and more. If you have any questions about your subscriptions or benefit fulfillment, please contact 51吃瓜网 Customer Care via e-mail听or by calling 800-424-2460, option 4.
Changing your Membership
I鈥檝e moved. How do I update my address or change my Affiliate?
Update your mailing address by听logging into your Member Portal and听selecting the Teal听'Edit My Profile' button. Members have 30 days after joining or renewing 51吃瓜网 membership to change their Primary Affiliate. Thereafter members may add an additional affiliate for $22 for the remainder of the year.听Please note,听that 51吃瓜网 does not process refunds for Affiliate memberships.
What is 51吃瓜网鈥檚 cancellation policy?
Members can cancel their membership within 30 days of joining or renewing for a full refund. After 30 days, no refund will be issued.听For member terms and conditions, click here. Contact 51吃瓜网 Customer Care听via e-mail听or by calling 800-424-2460, option 4.
Affiliate Membership Questions
Can I join more than one Affiliate?
Yes! You can join up to 5 total Affiliates. If you choose to add additional Affiliates at the time of joining, renewal, or during your membership year, you are responsible for paying the Affiliate portion of the dues for every additional Affiliation.听 The fee听for each additional Affiliate is $22, and your expiration date remains unchanged.
How do I join an Affiliate?
New members with a U.S. address select the Affiliate of their choice when they join 51吃瓜网.
As a Lifetime member, why am I no longer a member of my Affiliate?
Lifetime memberships pertain only to the national membership. In order to renew your membership at the Affiliate level, Lifetime members need to听contact听51吃瓜网 Customer Care by calling 800-424-2460, option 4.
How can I contact my Affiliate?
. In your member profile, select 鈥�Additional Resources > Affiliate Directory鈥�.
How do I find the dues to my Affiliate online?
Affiliate dues are standard. Your primary regional affiliate membership is included in your total membership cost. Additional Affiliates may be added for an additional fee.
I鈥檝e moved. How do I change my Affiliate?
Please be sure to update your mailing address by听logging into your 听and selecting the Teal 'Edit My听Profile' button.听Don't forget to save your information once you update it!听Members have 30 days after joining or renewing 51吃瓜网 membership to change their primary Affiliate. Thereafter members may add an additional affiliate for a prorated cost for the remainder of the year.听Please note, however, that 51吃瓜网 does not process refunds for Affiliate memberships.
What鈥檚 New听
Why did 51吃瓜网 change to a single membership type?听
The single membership type ensures equal access to benefits and support for all members. The old model created unintended barriers with varying levels and costs. The new model is simpler and offers consistent, high-quality benefits for everyone.听
What were the main factors driving this change?听听
The old model had challenges like difficult-to-use resources, high costs, and unequal benefit distribution. Feedback showed that the system wasn't meeting members' needs, and it wasn鈥檛 financially sustainable. The new model addresses these issues by simplifying access, improving equity, lowering barriers, and ensuring long-term organizational stability.听
What is the cost of the new single-tier membership?听
The new membership costs $72.
Are there flexible payment plans, or other discounts available?听
Currently, payment plans are not available, but 51吃瓜网 is working to offer this option in the future. The organization is also exploring special pricing and partnerships with organizations to provide discounts, ensuring membership is affordable and valuable.听
How will members be billed or renewed under the new model?听
Members will renew annually through the new, easy to navigate portal under the 鈥淢y Membership鈥� section on the homepage. This section allows you to edit your payment method and update your auto-renewal settings whenever you want.听
I鈥檓 thinking of joining for the first time鈥攚hat鈥檚 different for new members now?听
We're excited you're considering joining our community of passionate early childhood professionals. Here's what you can expect as a new member under our improved membership model:听
- One membership type for everyone: We've simplified things by offering one, all-inclusive membership. This means everyone gets the same great benefits, and it's easier to understand what your membership includes.听
- More benefits: You'll enjoy a wider range of benefits, including digital resources, professional development opportunities, advocacy support, and discounts on events and publications.听
- Easier onboarding: Our upgraded member portal makes it simple to join, access your benefits, and connect with other members.听
We're confident you'll find 51吃瓜网 membership to be a valuable investment in your professional growth and a rewarding way to connect with other dedicated educators.听
Why is the new price set where it is, and how does it compare to peer organizations?听
The $72 annual fee is competitive and reflects the value of 51吃瓜网 membership, which offers more benefits at a lower cost compared to similar organizations. Membership supports high-quality resources, professional development, advocacy, and continued investment in the needs of members and the profession.听
Can I still get a membership discount when I register for the Annual Conference?听
Yes. While we haven't finalized pricing for the 2025 Annual Conference in Orlando yet, we will continue to offer a membership discount with conference registration.听
Are there new or expanded benefits under the single-tier membership model?听
Yes, the single-tier model includes expanded benefits such as more digital resources (articles, E-Books, and online courses), regular webinars with industry experts, and the ability to earn CEUs through professional development. These offerings are powered by improved technology tailored to members' needs.听
What are the exact benefits that are now included?听
- Community: HELLO online community, interest forums, networking opportunities with thousands of members, and affiliate membership听
- Advocacy: Policy Q&A webinars with 51吃瓜网 staff, HELLO policy discussions, policy insights from national policy leaders, and early registration access for the Public Policy Forum听
- Resources: Newsletter, member-only digital journal, toolkits & guides, and a digital welcome basket of resources in the member profile听
- Events: Conference discounts, regular webinars & workshops, and interviews with ECE thought leaders and luminaries听
- Support: Professional development with CEUs, leadership pathways & volunteer opportunities, mentorship & scholarships opportunities, insurance, tuition & retail discounts, and member-only sales on books and professional development听
How do I access these benefits?听
Access all benefits through the updated . Use it to connect with others via the HELLO community, join discussions, take online courses and webinars, register for events, or manage program accreditation. The portal features improved navigation, reminders, and a personalized dashboard for tracking your benefits and activities.听
Will I still receive printed materials like books, journals, and membership cards?听
The new model focuses on digital resources for easier access and sustainability. Printed books and journals will no longer be included, but you can purchase books through the eStore. Membership cards will now be digital and downloadable from your 51吃瓜网 profile.听听
How will members find information previously linked to old tiers?
Members who are in the middle of their current membership cycle and therefore have not received a full year of current membership benefits will automatically transition into the new membership and receive all the new membership benefits as well as the digital welcome basket items.听
Will current premium members be getting a refund? Or my full premium benefits?听
All premium members will be automatically transitioned to the new, expanded membership at no extra additional cost in Spring 2025. You will then automatically receive all benefits of the new membership along with a digital welcome basket of 51吃瓜网 resources in your new online 51吃瓜网 Member Profile.听
How does it affect my lifetime membership?听
Lifetime members will automatically transition to the new model in Spring 2025 and continue receiving free national 51吃瓜网 membership. Affiliate membership dues will still need to be paid separately and can be renewed online via the member portal.听
Additional Support
For additional support or to ask questions, please contact 51吃瓜网 Customer Care by email at听[email protected]听or via telephone at 800-424-2460 (Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM鈥�5:00 PM听Eastern).
How can I offer feedback or suggest improvements to the new model?
We are committed to listening, learning, and growing alongside our members. If you have suggestions, concerns, or simply want to share your appreciation for this transition, please call our Customer Care Team at 800-424-2460 or email us at [email protected].听
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