Early Childhood Education


The Early Care and Education Consortium is a non-profit alliance of America's leading providers of quality early learning programs. Consortium members operate more than 7,500 licensed centers in every state, caring for and educating over one million children every day across the country. The Early Care and Education Consortium is an advocacy voice for child care providers as policies for child care and early learning develop and change across the country.

Georgia Budget Proposal: Mixed News for Early Care and Learning; Take Action!
Governor Deal's budget proposal includes a lot of important news for early care and education, but also raises a lot of concerns. The Legislature is beginning hearings this week to review the proposal. Visit the ECEC Georgia Action Center for more information to contact your State Legislators TODAY!

Pennsylvania Governor Freezes Budget - Good News and Bad News for Early Childhood
On January 4 the Governor's Office released the administration's mid-year budget freeze. The good news: no cuts were made to child care. The bad news: Pre-K Counts was cut by 5%. Find out more in our Pennslyvania Action Center.

Congress Reaches an Agreement on FY2012 Appropriations
In December, Congress passed and President Obama signed the FY2012 appropriations bill, avoiding yet another continuing resolution expiration. The bill contains vital increases to CCDBG and Head Start in a year of tight budgets and higher need. To learn more about what this means for child care and how it will affect the upcoming FY2013 funding cycle, visit the ECEC's Federal Funding News.

New York Times: Need for Child Care Greater than Ever
In December, the New York Times published an article showing the tension caused by state governments faced with more demands on less funds, and parents at home faced with choosing to pay for child care or their other bills. The steadily dwindling subsidy funds have resulted in longer waiting lists for families and lower reimbursement rates for providers. To learn more about subsidy funding in federal and state news, visit the ECEC Action Center.

Florida Governor Releases Budget Proposal: Increase for VPK but Cuts to Child Care
On December 7, Governor Scott released his state budget proposal for FY2012-13. It includes an increase to VPK but cuts to child care assistance. The Florida State Legislature takes the next crucial steps in the details of the state budget. Visit the ECEC Florida Action Center for more information.

Senate Committee Examines CCDBG
ECEC Executive Director Eric Karolak testified at a hearing of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions Subcommittee on Children and Families examining Quality and Safety in Child Care. Learn more on the Federal Legislation page!

Let's Move! Child Care
Let's Move! Child Care is a new initiative that will support child care providers in their efforts to help children develop healthy habits early in life. Let's Move! Child Care includes a voluntary set of standards to engage child care providers in creating healthier environments for children. ECEC is a member of Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures Steering Committee and a proud partner of this effort. Visit the ECEC Child Nutrition page to learn more.
Updates

Share Your Story!

Child care and early education teachers, we want to hear from you! Tell us your story! 


ECEC 2009 Provider Survey Released
Nearly 2,000 ECEC member centers completed a national survey on trends in tuition and fees, participation in QRIS and accreditation, the education and experience of staff, and the impact of economy on enrollment.  Read more online!

Take Action for Child Care!

Questions about the Consumer Product Safety Commissions new crib standards? CPSC offers answers here!