Policy Priorities
We focus on two key policy goals that deliver strong results for children, families, and state economies.
Our policy framework organizes policy guidancefrom big-picture vision to policy specifics.
Finally, our five core principles provide the foundation shaping our entire approach to ECE policy.
Where to focus now — two goals that drive results:
Empower lower-income parents to access quality ECE
Give parents purchasing power and real choices in a mixed‑delivery market.
Build a strong early care and education workforce
Stabilize and grow capable ECE staff so programs serve more families reliably.
Policy Framework
How we organize our policy guidance:
How we organize our policy guidance:
From Goals —> Strategies —> Policies [More description here]
The bedrock principles that ground our approach.
Our Five Core Principles shape our priorities and anchor good ECE policy:
Target support where it's needed most.
Focus public investment on families who can't access quality care on their own.Put families first.
Empower parents — not top-down policies — to choose what’s best for their child.Strengthen markets, don’t replace them.
Expand access and quality by making markets work for all families who need quality care.Empower communities to lead.
Support community-driven approaches from employers, nonprofits, and faith-based groups.Focus on results, not just spending.
Invest in what works, track outcomes, and fund performance.
The bedrock principles that ground our approach.
Our Five Core Principles shape our priorities and anchor good ECE policy:
