From birth to age five, young children’s brains make millions of neural connections every second — forming brain architecture for life. This is the foundation upon which all later learning, behavior, and health depend.

Parents will always be the most important influence during this time of a child’s life. But with 70% of Pennsylvania children under age six having both parents in the labor force, state policymakers must support evidence-based programs that strengthen our families and ensure access to high-quality early care and education in order to maximize the potential of the first five years.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION POLICY PRIORITIES

• Expand availability of high-quality, affordable child care and pre-k so parents can work and young children get an early start on lifelong learning.
• Increase wages of early education teachers to reduce turnover, increase availability, and deliver continuity in children’s learning experiences.
• Ensure that racial equity is embedded in all aspects of child care quality improvement such as program development, business development, and the definition of quality.

MOST RECENT RESEARCH

• REPORTS: The Case for An Ambitious Rebound: 2022 Regional Reports on COVID’s Impact on Children
• REPORT: Getting Back to Business: Non-Traditional Hour Child Care
• REPORTS: Underwater: 2019 Regional Reports on Child Well Being

(scroll down for additional research materials)

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION COALITIONS

Bắt đầu PA mạnh

Start Strong PA supports healthy child development, school success, working families, and the economy by ensuring everyone in Pennsylvania has access to high-quality child care choices.

Pre-K cho PA

Pre-K for PA is a statewide coalition fighting to ensure that all children enter school ready to succeed by making high-quality pre-k accessible to every three- and four-year-old in Pennsylvania.