Early Care and Education

ACF announced a new Policy Statement on Early Childhood Career Pathways as part of their focus on elevating the early childhood workforce in policy and practice.

This report describes three potential designs for studies to assess the needs for early care and education and home visiting among American Indian and Alaska Native children and families.

Examines comprehensive career pathway systems in the early childhood education (ECE) field. Career pathways, defined as comprehensive education and training systems, provide a sequence of coursework and credentials aligned with industry needs. Pathways offer a much-needed solution to fostering the educational and workforce training needs of adult learners to meet national and regional workforce demands.

Describes domains of knowledge, skills, and dispositions essential for all consultants working with infants and toddlers, their families, and practitioners in any capacity, setting, or sector. The core knowledge and competencies outlined are research based and reflect best practice; they support and promote culturally competent practice.

Discusses the professional learning and competencies that need to be shared among individuals who are responsible for the ongoing care and education of young children.

Hosts multimedia resources; activities for trainers; and articles related to early childhood, supporting the healthy development of infants and toddlers, and providing quality relationship-based care to infants and toddlers.

Explains how a child’s early development from birth through age 8 is critical to making an effective transition into elementary school and for long-term academic achievement.

Provides early childhood resources that include the President’s early learning agenda, the monthly newsletter from the Department of Education’s Office of Early Learning, and the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge.

Discusses the science of early childhood development, the impact of early adversity on children’s development, and the effectiveness of early childhood programs, among other topics. The Center on the Developing Child produces a range of tools, resources, and videos related to children’s well-being, including briefs that summarize findings from the latest scientific publications and presentations for the public.