Association members worked on behalf of children worldwide who were living in conditions of poverty or facing other challenging circumstances, such as discrimination, war, and hunger.
After World War I, ACEI offered support for kindergarten units that were organized to help refugee children in France.
During the Great Depression in the United States, ACEI was hired by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to publish materials for nursery school teachers.
During World War II, ACEI sent books, toys, and curriculum materials to teachers and children in Austria, Yugoslavia, Greece, and Italy.
Childhood Education International has a Constitution which outlines the governance structure of the organization and was approved by the membership.