FREDONIA – The Chautauqua County Chapter of the New York Association for the Education of Young Children will host Prerna Richards, founder of Together We Grow LLC, as its keynote speaker for its Oct. 19 conference.

Richards will present “Empowering Educators to Nurture Brilliance” when she speaks to the county group. Richards has more than 38 years of experience in the early childhood field. She shares the latest research on children’s developing brains and promotes play-based learning with an emphasis on social emotional development for young children.

The all-day conference will be held at Fredonia High School on East Main Street in Fredonia and will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. A variety of workshops will be offered and presented by early childhood professionals throughout the day on topics that include speech and language development; nutrition; the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP); literacy and storytelling; observation and assessment; circle time; promoting physical activity; how sensory play and the arts can stimulate brain growth and healing; and trauma and human trafficking. In addition, the CSEA/VOICE will offer a presentation on the benefits and services the union offers to those who provide child care in their homes.

The cost to attend is $30 per person for members, $50 for non-members, and $10 for college students. A continental breakfast and lunch (pizza, salad, dessert) is included with the registration fee. The conference is QUALITYstarsNY and EIP eligible, and those who qualify may receive assistance with registration fees.

Registration is accepted through Oct. 11 online at na.eventscloud.com/website/78096. For more information call Beth Mulkin, executive director of the Campus and Community Children’s Center, at 716-673-4662.