Early childhood programs aim to improve outcomes for young children and their families by offering support services such as child health and development assessments, early education and care, referral to community resources, and more. Use the following resources to learn more about selected early childhood programs, including State and local examples.
2018 State of Early Childhood Data Systems Interactive Map
Child Trends
Provides analysis of State early care and education data systems and coordination efforts across other systems through an interactive map containing State profiles with child, program, and workforce data.
The Building Blocks of High-Quality Early Childhood Education Programs (PDF - 185 KB)
Bishop, Maier, Melnick, & Wechsler (2016)
Learning Policy Institute
Identifies 10 key elements of high-quality early education programs based upon current research and professional standards. The brief concludes with policy implications.
Center on the Developing Child
Harvard University
Generates, translates, and applies knowledge to enhance well-being and support positive life outcomes for children.
Early Childhood Program Standards
National Association for the Education of Young Children
Presents accreditation criteria focusing on four areas: children, teaching staff, partnerships, and administration. The website includes steps and requirements for accreditation as well as information for programs, assessors, and facilitation projects.
Early Head Start National Resource Center (EHS NRC)
Office of Head Start, Administration for Children and Families
Creates and disseminates information on comprehensive early childhood programs and provides professional development opportunities to the Early Head Start and Head Start community.
Frameworks for Response to Intervention in Early Childhood: Description and Implications (PDF - 698 KB)
Pretti-Fronttczak, Carta, Dropkin, Fox, Grisham-Brown, Edwards, Sandall, et al. (2013)
Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children, National Association for the Education of Young Children, & National Head Start Association
Presents early childhood professionals with a broad definition and description of the features of response to intervention frameworks as they are evolving in early childhood programs, describes common misconceptions about response to intervention frameworks in early childhood policy and practice, and identifies future directions related to response to intervention research and practice in early childhood.
Investing Early: Taking Stock of Outcomes and Economic Returns from Early Childhood Programs
Buenaventura, Cannon, Karoly, Kilburn, Mattox, & Muchow (2017)
Presents the findings of a study that analyzed 115 early childhood program approaches, measurable outcomes, and the costs and benefits of effective programming. A shorter brief on this topic is also available.
National Association for the Education of Young Children
Serves and acts on behalf of the needs, rights, and well-being of all young children with primary focus on providing educational and developmental services and resources.
Project LAUNCH
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Describes a grant program designed to promote the wellness of children ages birth to 8 years by focusing on their physical, emotional, social, and behavioral development. The website provides State and Tribal evidence-based practices and strategies for building infrastructure and improving methods for providing services and coordination among child-serving systems.
Tribal Early Learning Initiative: Collaborative Success (PDF - 859 KB)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Early Childhood Development
Provides information and support to Tribes on coordinating early learning and development programs. Resources include a report that highlights successful initiative projects.
State and Local Examples
Early Childhood: 2017 Accountability Report (PDF - 316 KB)
New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee (2017)
Evaluates early childhood indicators across New Mexico, including the impact and issues of early childhood programs. The report concludes with recommendations for practice improvement.
The New York City Early Childhood Research Network: A Model for Integrating Research, Policy, and Practice (PDF - 13,138 KB)
Foundation for Child Development (2018)
Highlights the development, activities, and accomplishments of the New York City Early Childhood Research Network that connects policymakers with research to inform operations of early childhood programs.
The State of Babies Yearbook
Zero to Three (2021)
Presents facts for each of the 50 States and the District of Columbia comparing national and state-by-state data on the well-being of infants and toddlers. Information is presented using the framework of good health, strong families, and positive early learning experiences.