Signature Events
Annual Conference
The First Up Conference is a special gathering held each spring in Philadelphia. It brings together educators and professionals from across Southeastern PA and beyond for networking and professional learning.
Please save the dates and plan join us on April 29-30 for Creating Nurturing ECE Spaces, a two-day professional development opportunity that is a direct response to the unusual times we find ourselves living through. We are currently accepting workshop proposals for next year’s event. For questions about the RFP process please contact Alix Cozen. For questions about the 2022 Annual Conference, please contact Jessica Feng.
Champions for Young Children
For more than 25 years, we have celebrated individuals outside the field of Early Childhood Education who show a deep commitment to championing high quality early education for all children in Southeastern Pennsylvania at our Champions for Young Children event and fundraiser.
This event is a time for us to come together with our amazing community to celebrate both our accomplishments and increase awareness of the importance of quality early education while having a great time drinking, eating, and partying like preschoolers.
Golf Classic
The Golf Classic is a fundraiser to support the work of First Up and benefits the Terri Lynne Lokoff Teacher Awards. Traditionally held at French Creek Golf Club in Elverson, PA this event offers golfers a wonderful chance to play on a breathtaking and challenging course. The French Creek Golf Club, designed by Gil Hanse, showcases flowing brooks, woodlands, and natural golf hazards, which offer unique and incomparable rounds of golf for players of all skill levels arranged within a picturesque landscape.
Terri Lynne Lokoff Teacher Awards
In 1994, Kay and Fred Lokoff launched the Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Teacher Awards to honor their daughter Terri who was a devoted childcare teacher. The Awards are designed to recognize and celebrate the achievements of outstanding early care and education teachers and bring attention to the critical role these teachers play in the lives of young children.
Up to 50 awards are presented each year and each award recipient receives a cash prize, a paid trip to historic Philadelphia to participate in the Terri Lynne Lokoff Teacher Awards Celebration, ongoing opportunities to connect with peers, exchange ideas, as well as ongoing professional learning and program enrichment opportunities.
Please Save the Date for our 2022 Awards Celebration to be held on April 29-30, 2022. Applications are available now and due by January 28, 2022.
If you have questions, please contact Jessica Feng.
