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Early Childhood

The evidence is clear: when young children have healthy and enriching experiences, they are more likely to be ready for kindergarten and beyond. This means one-on-one attention from teachers, parents, and caregivers.

These early experiences shape a child’s lifelong learning because human brain development occurs most rapidly and dramatically in the first three years of life. For every $1 spent on early childhood up to $16 are saved through decreased special education, social welfare, and crime-related costs. Investments early in life also increase high school and college graduations and spur economic development.

$88

Million

CARES Act Funding directed to keep early childhood care and education intact throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

22%

of 3-and 4-year olds are enrolled in high-quality early childhood settings in Arizona (Arizona Progress Meter data).

46%

of Arizona third graders are reading at grade level (Arizona Progress Meter data).

22%

of Arizona children under age 5 are growing up in poverty.

More Arizona Stats

Factcheck Early Childhood Infographic

Only 40% of Arizona children aged 3 to 4 are enrolled in an early education program. Ready to check the facts?

Early Childhood Infographic

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2025 Policy Priorities

Access to high-quality child care and early learning is essential for children and for their families. Child care creates a strong foundation for a child’s future, including school readiness and healthy development. Affordable and accessible child care also allows parents to pursue job, educational, and training opportunities that increase their own economic power, as well as the state’s economic potential.

However, the price and lack of access keep child care options out of the reach of hard-working families. Creative solutions, sustainable funding, and private-public partnerships are essential.

  1. AFFORDABILITY: Identifying targeted state and federal child care funding to create affordable, quality options for parents, supporting provider stabilization and workforce compensation, and eliminating the waitlist for state child care financial assistance.
  2. CHILD CARE WORKFORCE: Addressing the shortage of child care workers so more children can be served by making child care workers categorically eligible and waitlist exempt for child care assistance.
  3. RURAL ARIZONA: Increasing the number of high-quality child care facilities in underserved and rural communities by investing in quality child care construction projects via capital funding, appropriations, and other innovations through public and private-public partnerships.

Read the latest

News and Events
Events Early Childhood

Head Start Turns 60: Honoring Its Legacy and Fighting for Its Future

On Sunday, May 18th, Head Start celebrates 60 years as a federal early care and education program serving over 800,000 young children across the nation, 17,000 of whom are in Arizona. The Arizona Head Start Association and Children’s Action Alliance held a presentation and panel discussion in Eloy,…

News Health

What Moms Deserve: Policies That Support Arizona Families

News Early Childhood

February: A Month of Advocacy for Early Childhood Policies

News Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice

Policy Solutions Can and Should Prevent Hunger and Homelessness Among Children and Youth

News Early Childhood

Well That's Scary- Child Care Crisis in Arizona

Resources

Toolkit Icon

Kids Count 2020 Data Book

Fact Sheet Icon

KidsCare Income Increase Fact Sheet