Early Care & Education Consortium

Making Child Care More Affordable, Accessible, and High Quality

Who We Are

United in Purpose: Transforming Policy into Progress

ECEC is the national voice championing high-quality early care and education for every child. We bridge the gap between policy and practice by advocating for federal and state solutions that make child care more accessible, affordable, and safe.

See Our Impact

Learn More About Our Priorities

The Early Care and Education Consortium (ECEC)  is a Nonprofit Alliance of:

Leading Child Care Providers

Affiliate Members: State Associations

Educational Service Providers

Our Priorities

Championing Policy to Build a Sustainable,  Equitable System for All

Together, we are:

Supporting children and families nationwide.
Strengthening the early childhood workforce.
Building a sustainable, equitable system for America’s future.

Map highlighting educational programs and reach

Learn More About State Priorities

Learn More About Our Federal Priorities

What's Important to Us

Building a Sustainable Early Childhood Ecosystem

Together, we are:

Expanding access to high quality early care and education.
Elevating and supporting the early childhood workforce.
Securing a stronger, more equitable future for children and families.

Advocacy in Action

Driving the conversation forward to build a more accessible and equitable child care system for all

ECEC and KinderCare Advocate for Mixed Delivery in New Mexico

ECEC staff and a KinderCare representative met with Secretary Deborah Haaland, democratic gubernatorial candidate for the State of New Mexico, at the Democratic Governors Association Fall Policy Conference in Louisville, Kentucky to express support for New Mexico’s universal child care program and to highlight the importance of mixed delivery in expanding supply and access. Featured:…

ECEC Hosts First Teacher Fly-In in Washington, D.C.

On July 20-21, ECEC hosted its inaugural Early Childhood Educator Fly-In, bringing together 45 teachers and center directors from ECEC member companies across 17 states. Participants attended a Capitol Hill reception, toured the Capitol and participated in meetings with over 50 members of Congress and their staff. Throughout the fly-in, teachers and center leaders emphasized…

ECEC Members Advocate for Expanded Access to Affordable, High‑Quality Child Care in Pennsylvania

ECEC members in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania advocating for solutions to support child care access, affordability, and quality, while expressing gratitude for continued investments in staff recruitment and retention bonuses and supporting legislative efforts to address rising liability insurance costs for providers.

ECEC Advocates for Policies to Improve Child Care Access and Affordability for CT Families

ECEC members advocate for policies, including increased investments in Care 4 Kids and the Early Childhood Education Endowment, to improve child care access and affordability for CT families.

ECEC Advocates for Expanded Child Care Access and Supply in New York

ECEC members advocate in support of Governor Hochul’s proposed expansions to universal Pre-K, enhanced CCAP funding, as well as additional policies that expand the supply and access of child care for all New Yorkers. Featured: Assemblymember Michaela Solages Featured: Sen. Joe Addabbo Featured: Assemblymember Kwani O’Pharrow

ECEC Members in Florida Advocate for School Readiness & VPK Funding

ECEC members in Tallahassee, Florida advocating for expanded access to School Readiness and increases to Voluntary Pre-K program rates, while expressing gratitude for recent property tax abatements for high-quality early learning providers.

ECEC CEOs & Gov. Polis Celebrate UPK Success and Child Care Progress

ECEC CEOs with Governor Jared Polis celebrating the success of universal mixed delivery UPK and discussing opportunities to continue to support child care access, affordability, and quality for families across the state. Governor Jared Polis

ECEC Pushes for Stronger Child Care Funding in Virginia

ECEC and members advocating in Virginia for expanded access to the Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP) and increased reimbursement rates for child care providers. Featured: With Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi (pictured in pink)

Championing Working Connections Child Care in Washington State

ECEC and members at the Washington State Capitol advocating for increased child care subsidy rates and sustained access for families to Working Connections Child Care. Featured: ECEC and Members

On Capitol Hill: ECEC Pushes for CCDBG Improvements

ECEC leaders advocating for increased CCDBG funding and improvements to the program on Capitol Hill. Featured: Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Appropriations Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, House Education and Workforce Chairman Tim Walberg

Advocacy Jan, 2026 ECEC team and Senator Simpson in Colorado

ECEC Advocates for Stronger Child Care in Colorado

ECEC and members at the Colorado State Capitol advocating for increased CCAP funding, improved child care licensing and quality systems, and extended tax credits for child care contributions. ECEC with Sen. Scott Bright (R) and Sen. Matt Ball (D) ECEC with Rep. Andrew Boesenecker (D) ECEC with Rep. Anthony Hartsook (R) ECEC with Rep.…

Learn More About Our Recent Advocacy Work →

PROVIDER SPOTLIGHT

The Goddard School

Founded in 1988, The Goddard School is a nationwide network of more than 680 schools serving nearly 100,000 children daily, partnering with families to provide high-quality early childhood education that nurtures curiosity, character, and academic, social, and emotional growth.