What the data shows: Without coordinated, sustainable solutions, too many families are left without necessary programs and services during their child’s most critical years.
Strong Early Childhood Systems
Transforming the early childhood system into a prenatal-to-five continuum of publicly funded, effective programs that meet the unique needs of children, their families and those who serve them.
our approach
We’re Committed To:
Increasing Access to Early Learning & Care as a Publicly Funded Resource
We strengthen early childhood systems by advocating for increased public investment and expanding access to essential programs and services.
Building Responsive & Inclusive Systems
We partner with public sector agencies to advance policy and improve the continuum of care so that services are responsive, effective and inclusive in meeting the needs of families and children.
Centering Family & Provider Voice in Policymaking & Advocacy
We build strong advocacy coalitions that engage families and providers in creating more effective systems.
how we work
Our Policy & Advocacy Work
Start Early is focused on transforming the nation’s patchwork of childcare, preschool, home visiting programs, and other early learning supports into a continuum of effective, publicly funded prenatal-to-age 5 programs that respond to the unique needs of children and families. Our policy and advocacy work bridges from local to federal by:
Advocating for Children & Families
We advocate for children and families in our home states of Illinois and Washington.
Consulting With State & Community Leaders
We consult with state and community leaders to build strong policies and systems across the country.
Building Coalition & Sharing Our Expertise
We build coalition and share our expertise as a national voice for early childhood federally.
impact in action
Driving Change in Early Intervention
Watch how Start Early partnered with community and state agencies to ensure families received timely early intervention services after their babies left the NICU.
by the numbers
Our Annual Impact
Through our advocacy and consulting work with state and local leaders, Start Early has:
40 Policy Changes
Supported policy changes across our Illinois, Washington, federal and consulting policy teams, including work in Texas, where new legislation now mandates a statewide plan to improve inclusion and transitions for children with disabilities.
$534 Million
Our work helped secure $100M in Washington to expand early learning facilities and $160M in Illinois to make child care more affordable for families.
4+ Million Children
Secured 40 Early Childhood Policy changes, reaching an estimated 4+ million children benefitting from policy and systems change.
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Our Impact & Other Focus Areas
Our Impact
We’re creating a continuum of care that supports families every step of the way—before, during and after their child is born.
Healthy Births & Thriving Families
We’re supporting baby’s growth and healthy brain development by prioritizing the well-being of families.
Effective Early Learning Programs
We’re ensuring that all families have access to inclusive, high-quality early learning programs that are culturally and linguistically responsive to their needs.
A Trusted Leader in Early Childhood Development
For over 40 years, we’ve worked hand in hand with families, caregivers and communities to co-create an Early Learning and Care system that reflects their voices and meets their needs. By elevating these voices and removing barriers, we’re helping ensure every child can grow, learn and thrive—from the very start.
