Early Care and Education

Encompassing education supports ranging from birth through third grade, early care and education (ECE) capitalizes on providing high-quality programs and services to build strong foundations for young children. It is also inextricably connected to supporting parents and the economy.

This page includes issues such as child care, early intervention, pre-K, quality rating and improvement systems, school readiness and the ECE workforce.

Ed Note Blog Posts

A subheading that provides more information or a call to action.

Early Education (P-3)

Grandparents sit on a sofa with their infant grandchild on their laps. They are all reading a storybook together.

Building Pre-Literacy Skills in Pre-K Settings

State policymakers have been actively introducing legislation to address literacy development, building on the momentum of the science of reading push in recent years. Despite limited research on the impact […]

Early Education (P-3)

A group of young students sit in front of their teacher mimicking the teacher's movements while playing a game.

Michigan’s Caring for MI Future Through Expanded Child Care Access

Every family deserves access to quality early learning and care — regardless of their zip code, economic status or their children’s ages. But, in Michigan (like nearly every state across […]

Early Education (P-3)K-12

Early Grade Literacy: Is Third Grade Retention Effective?

In 2023, 14 governors noted the importance of literacy in their State of the State addresses. Ten governors specifically highlighted efforts to improve early grade literacy for kindergarten through third […]

Early Education (P-3)High School K-12 Postsecondary

Connect and Strategize at the 2023 National Forum

This summer, we’re excited to invite you to Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the 2023 National Forum on Education Policy. Minneapolis, a vibrant and diverse city, boasts an encouraging motto, “En Avant,” […]

Early Education (P-3)

A parent holds their young child’s hand as they walk out of a child care center. The bottom left corner of the image says, “guest post.”

As Federal Relief Funding for Early Care and Education Fades, States Step In

Federal COVID-19 relief funds have been a lifeline for early care and education programs, but this funding is temporary. With deadlines approaching, states have an opportunity to push forward policies […]

Early Education (P-3)

How Music and Play Enhances STEAM Education for Early Learners

My parents noticed early in my life that I had an inclination for memorizing song lyrics. They told me that, before I could speak, I would park myself in front […]

Early Education (P-3)K-12 Postsecondary

3 Reasons to Join Us at the 2022 National Forum on Education Policy

After two years of convening virtually, we’re returning in person for our 2022 National Forum on Education Policy July 13-15, and we hope you’ll join us! Do you have questions […]

Early Education (P-3)

3 States Share Efforts to Improve Kindergarten Transitions

Attendance declines and interruptions to instruction and care have led to a rise in behavioral issues and growing gaps in literacy and math for young children. Given these challenges, the […]

Early Education (P-3)

Three young children play with blocks and other toys at a small blue table while two adults assist them. The adult in the frame (who presents as a woman) has short, dark brown hair, olive skin and is wearing a white shirt with colorful flower designs.

Want to Build Back Better? Consider Early Childhood Districts

A new day may be approaching for early care and education as Congress considers a reconciliation package that would inject approximately $390 billion into early childhood education (ECE) over six […]

Early Education (P-3)

American Rescue Plan Funds Can Support Inclusive Early Childhood Special Education

Young children with disabilities and developmental delays experienced unique hardships during the pandemic, including a significant decline in access to early childhood special education services (ECSE). In the first three months of the pandemic, 40% of parents of children who receive ECSE reported that their children were not receiving […]

1 2 3 Next »

Policy Levers to Advance Credential Transparency

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur.

Policy Levers to Advance Credential Transparency

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur.

Policy Levers to Advance Credential Transparency

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur.

Early Care and Education

Recently Published Resources

Policy Levers to Advance Credential Transparency

Governors’ Top Education Priorities in 2024 State of the State Addresses

Addressing Early Math Achievement Declines

50-State Comparison: State K-3 Policies

Ed Note Blog Posts

Building Pre-Literacy Skills in Pre-K Settings

Michigan’s Caring for MI Future Through Expanded Child Care Access

Early Grade Literacy: Is Third Grade Retention Effective?

Connect and Strategize at the 2023 National Forum

As Federal Relief Funding for Early Care and Education Fades, States Step In

How Music and Play Enhances STEAM Education for Early Learners

3 Reasons to Join Us at the 2022 National Forum on Education Policy

3 States Share Efforts to Improve Kindergarten Transitions

Want to Build Back Better? Consider Early Childhood Districts

American Rescue Plan Funds Can Support Inclusive Early Childhood Special Education

Policy Levers to Advance Credential Transparency

Policy Levers to Advance Credential Transparency

Policy Levers to Advance Credential Transparency