ARCHS' 2nd Annual Early Childhood Institute at Harris-Stowe State University drew a record crowd of over 500 area child care educators and directors on October 9. Those in attendance took advantage of great learning opportunities to improve their centers.

The ARCHS' Institute featured classes that focused on three specific age groups: infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers. World-renowned early childhood expert Bev Bos served as the keynote speaker and delivered breakout sessions entitled "Starting at Square One: Using Creative Art, Music and Language to Establish Environments that are Child-Centered."

"Feedback from this year's conference has been amazing. The 2nd Annual Fall Early Childhood Instittue saw an increase in both overall attendance, beating last year's number by more than 60 registrants, as well as first-time registrants," said Amber Stevenson, ARCHS' Vice President of Grant Management Services.

"We are hoping to continue growing the audience for the Institute by bringing in guest speakers and listening to feedback of all the people who attended the conference sessions and offered their suggestions for what they would like to see make their ARCHS' Institute even better in the future."

The feedback from participants was positive all around, including from Felicia Cook, Director of Kids World North.

"I have gotten a lot of positive feedback from my teachers," she said. "I have so many ideas in my head I do not know where to start. We are really looking forward to what is to come."