From birth to age eight, children take the first steps in a lifelong learning journey. EDC speeds them on their way by designing, studying, supporting, and scaling up programs that enhance school readiness and success. We have a special focus on meeting the needs of children from disadvantaged communities and dual language learners, engaging and supporting families, and building the capacity of educators and communities to sustain improvements.

In the United States, we work to create strong, coherent preK-Grade 3 systems and advance knowledge of how to improve early science, mathematics, and literacy learning. Around the world, we implement innovative early childhood programs that build literacy and numeracy skills, excite interest in learning, and help educators, volunteers, and parents enrich early learning.

Read "A Fair Start for Every Child" to learn more about EDC's work to support early childhood learning.

Learn about EDC’s work with Family STEM Communities.

Learn about EDC’s work to strengthen early childhood interventions with Continuous Quality Improvement.

Learn about the work of EDC’s Center for Children and Technology.

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Resources

Here are a few of our resources on early childhood development and learning. To see more, visit our Resources section.

Reports

This is the summary of a report that presents the results of a first-of-its-kind national survey of parents, who were asked about the types of early science educational activities they do with their young children.

Studies

This snapshot presents findings from an EDC study on child care collaboration conducted in Maryland and Vermont.

Reports

This factsheet provides a brief overview of some of EDC’s work to ensure that all young children—especially those who live in low-income communities and are members of under-represented groups—can

Reports

This presentation describes the innovative strategies, accomplishments, and lessons learned of the Child Safety Collaborative Innovation and Improvement Network at EDC.

Reports

This report presents the results of a first-of-its-kind national survey of parents, who were asked about the types of early science educational activities they do with their young children.

Toolkits

This toolkit is designed to support state, territory, tribal, and local teams as well as individuals in examining and acting toward advancing health equity in Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood

Reports

This study examines First 10 Schools and Communities—coordinated efforts to improve teaching, learning, and care during the first decade of children’s lives.

Reports

This report, intended for early childhood educators, offers five evidence-based recommendations for integrating technology tools, such as computers and tablets, into a variety of early learning settings.

White papers

In this research brief, the authors present findings from an online national survey of Child Care and Development Fund administrators, Head Start State Collaboration Office Directors, and State Departments of Education Early Childhood Specialists.

Reports

This report, published by the Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes (CEELO) and the Center on School Turnaround (CST), describes how three schools in Massachusetts, Missouri, and Nebraska int