Early Childhood
The first five years are the most dynamic period for children’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. Evidence shows that children who experience high-quality early childhood development education programs are more likely to build a strong foundation for success in school and life. Abt collaborates with federal, state, and local agencies, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, and philanthropies to improve access to and affordability and quality of early childhood education programs. We analyze state and local policies, data, and funding to understand early childhood career pathway advancement and compensation. We help our clients expand opportunities to serve children, families, and ultimately, communities.
Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
State and local agencies
Higher education
Nonprofit organizations
Our Work
Family and workforce needs assessment for state preschool development grant (PDG), including mapping the supply of early childhood providers
Analysis of the relationship between children’s development and early learning experiences in both formal and information childcare settings
Finding that preschool expansion boosted early literacy and math scores and vocabulary comprehension, and families had employment and income gains
Implementation and outcomes evaluation of a New Hampshire preschool development grant to strengthen the state’s early childcare and education system
Abt evaluated the delivery and impact of the MA ECSO initiative which helps early education leaders and educators improve the quality of their practice.
Insights
Early Childhood Education Experts
Meet our Early Childhood Education Experts.
Corporate
Back to School: Compensation Doesn’t Add Up for Head Start Teachers
The blog explores the challenge of Head Start's teacher shortage amid the “back to school” season, and the need to address fair compensation for educators.
Blog
Spotlight On: Early Childhood Care and Education
The first five years of a child’s life comprise the most dynamic period for their physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. Children who experience developmentally, culturally, and linguistically responsive early childhood education programs are more likely to build a strong foundation for success in school and life.
Spotlight On
How High Tech Supports Early Childhood Education Research
Blog
3 Questions To Promote Head Start Attendance
This blog asks how we can promote attendance in Head Start, which expands access to early care and education for children from low-income households.
Blog
Massachusetts Early Childhood Support Organization (ECSO) Year 3 Annual Evaluation Report
This report presents findings from the Massachusetts Early Childhood Support Organization (ECSO) ongoing implementation and impact evaluations.
Publication
Child Care Provider Appreciation Day: Valuing Our Providers
Child care providers provide vital, professional services that have a real impact on families; this blog explains why we need to compensate them accordingly.
Blog