Strategy

Early Head Start / Child Care Partnerships

What is it?

Early Head Start – Child Care Partnerships expand high-quality learning opportunities for infants and toddlers. The partnership layers funding from Early Head Start and the Child Care and Development Fund to leverage local resources and expand access to early learning programs for low-income families. Child care providers agree to meet Early Head Start standards in exchange for additional support, including coaching assistance and resources to improve education compensation and benefits, quality improvement funding, and professional development. 

What is the evidence base?

Child care providers who partner with Early Head Start improve business practices, increase the number of partnerships with local service organizations, increase teacher compensation and professional development opportunities, and improve classroom quality, specifically in teacher-child interactions. 

• Etter and Capizzano_Early Learning Ventures Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Model: Final Evaluation Report
• Smith et al_2019_Early Head Start– Child Care Partnerships: Spotlighting Early Successes Across America