Early Childhood Education
The brain’s architecture is built during a child’s first 1000 days
Early Childhood Education lays the foundation for a child’s future. CHILDREN AT RISK is working to ensure every child and family has access to affordable high-quality early education programs and strengthening an early childhood workforce that is prepared, rewarded, and supported.
Children under 5 live in Texas
Low-income children 0-6 live in a child care desert
%
of child care workers qualify for at least one form of public assistance
Exposure to high-quality early childhood education is the foundation to future academic success, especially for children from low-income backgrounds. In the early stages of development, a child’s brain is malleable, and early engagement can buffer the adverse effects associated with growing up in poverty. Children who participate in high-quality early childhood programs on average have higher high-school graduation rates, lower enrollment in special education programs, and lower rates of behavioral issues later in life.
CHILDREN AT RISK’s Early Childhood Education team works to ensure every family has access to high-quality, affordable child care and an early education workforce that is prepared, rewarded, and supported.
The C@R Early Childhood Education Team...
Analyzes the current state of Early Childhood Education in Texas, maps child care deserts, identifies innovative practices and monitors government regulations and funding streams.
Connects early education providers and fellow advocates with information on innovative practices and builds consensus to develop a common policy agenda.
Advocates for state and federal policies that increase access to affordable, quality child care and early education workforce that is prepared, rewarded, and supported.
Our Latest Early Childhood Education Research & Resources
Child Care Closure Map
Our Latest Early Childhood Education Research & Resources
Access to Affordable High-Quality Child Care is Scarce
By Neomi Fletcher, Early Childhood Education and Jacob Westjohn, Early Childhood Education (Note: UPDATED JUNE 7, 2023. Data sources are all publicly available from the Texas Workforce Commission, TEA, and Family Service. This report uses data from October 1st,...
CHILDREN AT RISK Testifies to Texas House Committee on Child Care Priorities
On May 19, 2022, C@R Director of Education, Kim Kofron, provided testimony to the Texas House Committee on International Relations and Economic Development. The testimony shared data on child care closures: “Texas has lost 21% of child care providers from March 2020...
TREC Hosts Sixth Rapid Round Table Focused on the Quest for Equity & Quality
Dismantling the systemic barriers to provider participation in Texas’ QRIS and increasing access to high-quality ECE for children and families of color. Media Contact: Rashena Flagg, 713.301.4577 On Thursday, May 12, CHILDREN AT RISK and the Texas Racial Equity...
ECE Team Hosts Virtual Texas Tour
CHILDREN AT RISK ECE Team presented new data & gathered stakeholder feedback in 10 texas cities During the weeks of April 11 and April 25, the Children At Risk Early Childhood Education Team hosted roundtable discussions with ECE providers, advocates, and...
Increase Networking Opportunities for Child Care Providers
This post highlights a policy recommendation from our new report, The Quest for Equity and Quality Examining Provider Experiences and Participation in Texas Rising Star. This report, released 4/4/22, explores data from a statewide survey and focus groups in which...
Allocate Additional Funding to Cover the Cost of Care and Provider Program Improvements
This post highlights a policy recommendation from our new report, The Quest for Equity and Quality Examining Provider Experiences and Participation in Texas Rising Star. This report, released 4/4/22, explores data from a statewide survey and focus groups in which...
Providing Equitable Supports and Mitigating Misconceptions for Providers
This post highlights a policy recommendation from our new report, The Quest for Equity and Quality Examining Provider Experiences and Participation in Texas Rising Star. This report, released 4/4/22, explores data from a statewide survey and focus groups in which...
The Quest for Equity & Quality |Research
Exposure to high-quality child care is the foundation for a child’s academic and social-emotional success, especially for children from low-income families. Increasing access to subsidized child care is one of the many strategies used to provide affordable early...
Include a Holistic Assessment Approach in Texas Rising Star
This post highlights a policy recommendation from our new report, The Quest for Equity and Quality Examining Provider Experiences and Participation in Texas Rising Star. This report, released 4/4/22, explores data from a statewide survey and focus groups in which...
Increase Investments in the ECE Workforce
This post highlights a policy recommendation from our new report, The Quest for Equity and Quality Examining Provider Experiences and Participation in Texas Rising Star. This report, released 4/4/22, explores data from a statewide survey and focus groups in which...
The Kids’ Case for Build Back Better: 5 Potential Wins for Texas Families
In the next few weeks, the US Senate is expected to vote on the Budget Reconciliation package (commonly referred to as "Build Back Better") which passed the House of Representatives on Nov. 19, 2021. The 1.9 trillion budget reconciliation packs in a number of...
Interim Charges: Building a Strong Child Care System for Texas Families
The interim provides lawmakers an opportunity to focus on complex issues that impact Texas children, communities, and our state budget. Advocates, child care providers, and stakeholders across Texas suggest interim charges to keep up the momentum.