Resources
A Collection of Early Childhood Policy Resources
Four categories of resources are provided below: policy briefs, research reports, academic papers, and diversity, racial equity, and inclusion materials. Curated by ECPIHE and Policy Connect reviewers, the materials are updated regularly.
Early Childhood Policy Briefs
Policy briefs provide succinct information that typically includes compilations of empirical research presented in a narrative format. Moreover, if you are interested in publications that will provide persuasive evidence for advocacy purposes or policy making decisions, we invite you to explore these resources.
Early Childhood Policy Research Reports
Research reports document and synthesize empirical research and often render policy recommendations on issues of importance to young children and their families. If you are looking for rich empirical evidence on a particular issue related to early childhood policy (ECP), we invite you to explore these resources.
Early Childhood Policy Academic Papers
Academic papers are empirical research articles published in peer-reviewed journals. Such articles tend to examine quite specific issues and do so in ways that meet professional research standards. If you are interested in recent research on early childhood policy (ECP), we invite you to explore these resources.
Diversity, Racial Equity, and Inclusion (DREI) in Early Childhood Policy
Diversity, racial equity, and inclusion (DREI) resources are a collection of materials that seek to disrupt traditional early childhood policy assumptions by highlighting diverse voices. If you are interested in learning about diverse perspectives and innovative approaches to racial equity in ECP, we invite you to explore these resources.
Materials developed by ECPIHE
The materials provided below have been developed by ECPIHE for their use in institutions of higher education and fall under two categories: Foundational Reports and Course Syllabi, Modules, and Internship Handbook.
Foundational Reports
Three foundational reports that examine the current context of early childhood policy (ECP) within institutions of higher education and potential avenues for the growth and advancement of the field. If you are interested in learning about ECP as a field of study, and/or learning about how other fields have emerged, we invite you to explore these reports.
Course Syllabi, Modules, and Internship Handbook
These materials were designed to provide a framework for the study of early childhood policy (ECP). Specific elements (e.g., readings, activities, scheduling) are modifiable to meet diverse institutional contexts and your specific needs. If you are interested in creating or updating a higher education program or course related to ECP, we invite you to explore these resources.
Interactive Tools
Explore six interactive tools to better understand the early childhood policy landscape and drive meaningful change.
- The Zaentz Navigator shows how cities and states are tackling common issues as they structure, finance, expand, and improve early education and care.
- The Early Childhood Workforce Index Interactive Map shows early childhood workforce conditions and policies across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
- The Child Care Deserts Map shows the density of families with young children and an index of child care supply within a 20-minute drive.
- The System Transformation for Equitable Preschools (STEP Forward with Data) Framework is designed to help preschool system leaders use data to promote greater equity at every step of the preschool system.
- State Early Childhood Policy Landscapes provides insights into state-level advocacy efforts, highlighting opportunities, challenges, and coalition-building strategies.
- Data on Child Care and Early Learning in the United States provides national and state-level insights on key child care and early education trends, including child care costs, accessibility, and Head Start participation.
