Registration for the 2026 SCAEYC Annual Conference is OPEN!
We are so excited to formally welcome you to celebrate with us at USC Upstate this Fall! Please see the below information regarding registration.
Conference Registration Rates
- SCAEYC Member
- 1-Day Registration: $100
- 2-Day Registration: $158
- Non-SCAEYC Member*
- 1-Day Registration: $150
- 2-Day Registration: $230
- Student
- $80 flat rate
*Non-Member registration includes a complimentary 1-year annual NAEYC & SCAEYC membership that will begin on October 7, 2026.
Link to register & purchase tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-scaeyc-annual-conference
The deadline for registration is October 7, 2026.
DSS & ABC Quality Scholarships
DSS & ABC Quality Scholarships are now available for the 2026 SCAEYC Annual Conference!
This year, the SC Dept. of Social Services & ABC Quality have graciously provided us with 200 scholarship spots. They are available on a first come, first serve basis while supply lasts. The deadline to register with a scholarship is October 7, 2026.
- Scholarships include 2-day conference registration and lunch each day.
- Recipients must be currently employed at an ABC Quality child care program in good standing.
- No travel stipends will be provided this year. Scholarship recipients must cover their own travel and lodging expenses.
Maps
We are holding the conference at a new location this year! To help you prepare, here are maps of the campus and the two buildings we will be using: the University Readiness Center (Q on the campus map) and the Health Education Complex (L on the campus map).
Parking will be available near both buildings.
Programming
The SCAEYC Conference provides professional development and continuing education sessions designed for early childhood professionals.
Our Vendor Marketplace allows attendees to connect with early childhood organizations and industry partners. Be sure to stop by to explore resources and grab some giveaways!
Get ready for an evening of fun, play, connection, and celebration! Spartanburg Community College is excited to host SCAEYC Student Night on October 15, bringing together Early Care and Education students and faculty from across South Carolina to connect, play, and celebrate the important work of early childhood educators and the next generation of professionals entering the field.
This is our opportunity to connect with ECE students and faculty from across the state, showcase the joy at the heart of early childhood education, and create an evening that celebrates the people, passion, and play that make our profession so special.
Interested in helping us plan the fun? Join the Student Night Conference Committee and help us create a night designed by ECE students and faculty, for ECE students! Committee members will help plan and implement engaging, playful activities that encourage participants to connect with one another, build community, and simply have fun!
Please RSVP: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/zWWVhhZxa8?origin=lprLink
You’re invited to join SCAEYC for a Centennial Birthday Bash in honor of NAEYC ‘s 100th birthday! 
Tickets are available for purchase via the link below for $15. Pizza 
, cupcakes 
, and museum admission are included.
https://www.zeffy.com/…/scaeyc-centennial-birthday-bash
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate – Spartanburg
Friday, October 16th
5:30-7:00 PMCredit Hours
Attendees will be able to earn up to 15 DSS credit hours over the course of the two day conference.
Conference Agenda & Detailed Schedule
Detailed Attendee Schedule (Subject to Change)
Hotel Accommodations
Group Rate
SCAEYC has reserved a block of King suite rooms at Four Points by Sheraton Spartanburg from Thursday, October 15 – Saturday, October 17. The group rate is $119 / night. Tuesday, September 15 is the deadline to reserve a room at this rate.
Four Points by Sheraton Spartanburg 9027 Fairforest Road, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29301 USA Approximately 4 miles from USC Upstate
Other Nearby Hotels
- AC Hotel Spartanburg (approx. 6 miles from USC Upstate)
- Hilton Garden Inn Spartanburg (approx. 5 miles away)
- Spartanburg Marriott (approx. 4 miles away)
- Holiday Inn Spartanburg Northwest (approx.1 mile away)
*This is not an exhaustive list. There are many other hotels in the area at a variety of price points.
*Please note that Wofford College’s Homecoming festivities will be happening the same weekend as the conference and will likely impact hotel availability and rates.
Meals & Nearby Restaurants
Lunch is included with both 2-day and 1-day registrations.
For non-conference meals, there are a variety of restaurants in the area:
- Cook Out
- Willy Taco
- Copper River Grill
- Culver’s
- Papas and Beer
- Chick-fil-A
- Capri’s Italian Restaurant
- The Meltdown
- Lots of other great options in Downtown Spartanburg!
Local Attractions & Experiences
There are lots of fun things to do in Spartanburg when you’re not in sessions! Check out some options below.
- TCMU Spartanburg (approx. 5 miles away from USC Upstate)
- Spartanburg County Public Libraries – Planetarium Learning Center (approx. 6 miles away)
- Spartanburg Science Center (approx. 5.6 miles away)
- WestGate Mall (approx. 5 miles away)
- Regal Spartan (approx. 5 miles away)
- Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve (approx. 6 miles away)
Click here to download the print-friendly PDF Conference Announcement.