Welcome!

Early Childhood Focus provides parents, early childhood professionals, policy-makers, and advocates with the latest early childhood news from around the country. Subscribers receive weekly news alerts on hot topics in the early childhood field.

Click here to register!

State Funding Helps Fuel Preschool Boom

Posted in: Preschool, Georgia
Lisa Downs Henry's father and stepmother opened Downs Preschool in 1984 as a private day care center in Watkinsville, Ga. Business was good, but it really took off in 1995 after the state approved state lottery receipts to pay for pre-kindergarten classes.


Preschool Expectations Higher Than Ever

Posted in: Preschool, California
Kindergarten isn't just for lightweights anymore. The expectations are higher than ever, and that means preschool children are having to step it up a notch, too. It's challenging for the kids and the teachers.


Child Care Providers Deserve Thanks

Posted in: Quality, New York

Twice a week, I join the ranks of legions of parents and grandparents who entrust the smallest members of their families to the care of others, people working in day care centers or in private homes who teach, protect, nurture, guide and comfort the children we love.


Plan to Improve California Preschool Options Highlighted

Posted in: Preschool, California
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today joined Senator Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and Assembly Member Dave Jones (D-Sacramento) at Jedediah Smith Elementary School's preschool program to highlight a new legislative bill package aimed at expanding quality preschool options for children in California. The bills, sponsored by O'Connell, Preschool California, Children Now, and the California Child Development Administrators Association, will streamline funding for preschool and improve preschool quality.


Early Learning Programs Get Needed Nurture

Posted in: Preschool, Virginia
Although Gov. Timothy M. Kaine did not get all the money he proposed to the 2008 General Assembly to expand early childhood education across Virginia, he did get money to nurture early-learning programs around the state.


Opening The Door To Early Learning

Posted in: Preschool, Minnesota

It’s hard to disagree that it’s a good thing to have children ready to learn when they start kindergarten. The question is how to get all children ready, when economic factors, types of child care and early childhood learning opportunities vary so greatly.


$3 Million Grant to Help Childhood Programs

Posted in: Quality, Minnesota

The McKnight Foundation announced a grant award of $3 million during three years to expand the Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative.


Accreditation For Child Care Company Gives Parents Peace of Mind

Posted in: Quality, New Jersey

Sparta — When entrusting the care of your child to someone else, one craves some form of assurance that they are in good hands. Kiddie Academy® has long provided wary parents with a sterling reputation and unparalleled programs; and, the company can add Commission on International and Trans-regional Accreditation (CITA) - and being one of the first educational preschools in the country to receive it - to its already extensive list of accomplishments.


Child Care Task Force Sets First Meeting

Posted in: Quality, North Dakota

A 10-member task force will hold an organizational meeting Wednesday to begin discussing ways to increase child-care availability in Minot.


Wage Increase For Child Care Staff Announced During Early Learning and Child Care Month

Posted in: Child Care Workforce

CANADA -- As his first official duty during Early Learning and Child Care Month, Education Minister Ken Krawetz today announced a $1.7 million commitment to fund a four per cent increase in wages for individuals working in licensed child care centres. The increase is expected to bring the average hourly wage for trained early childhood educators up from $13.90 per hour to $14.50 per hour.