Two babies playing

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.

2023 Priorities

We promote policies that make early investments in children and families to yield better outcomes. Our early childhood legislative priorities are to:

  1. Include state investments to keep child care provider reimbursement rates at the recommended federal benchmark that pays what it costs to provide care.
  2. Expand mental and behavioral health supports to early care and education program.
  3. Support for the Strong Families AZ Home Visiting System - Nurse-Family Partnership.
  4. Expand access to high-quality early learning settings like Head Start, child care, and preschool.

Read the latest

News

The Child Care Cliff: What Arizona Needs to Know

A new report is sounding the alarm that many families may be facing the loss of child care services in the next year. The report titled “The Child Care Cliff: What’s at Stake for Families, Businesses, and State Economies” highlights the impending drop-off in federal child care investment...

News

Arizona Ranks 39th In Child Well-Being But Inaccessible, Unaffordable, Child Care Pushes Parents To The Breaking Point.

News

Huge Win for AZ Child Care System-DES Provider Rate Adjustments!

AZECA’s Full Partnership Meeting and the Rollout of the New Membership Model

Save Home Visiting