🌟 Why Early Learning Matters
High-quality early learning lays the foundation for a child’s lifelong success. At the U.S. Department of Education (ED), strategic investments are made to improve educational and social-emotional outcomes for children from birth through 3rd grade. These efforts focus on expanding access to high-quality early education programs, enhancing the early learning workforce, and empowering states to build systems that ensure program effectiveness and equity.
🏛️ The Powerhouses Behind ED's Early Learning Strategy
Two key offices spearhead ED’s early learning initiatives:
-
The Office of Innovation and Early Learning (IELP)
-
The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
These offices lead the Department’s early learning investments, ensuring children — especially those in underserved communities — get a strong start.
🎓 Key ED-Funded Early Learning Programs
ED funds multiple programs that support young learners, and also integrates early childhood education into broader grants. Programs like Promise Neighborhoods and Full-Service Community Schools support cradle-to-career pipelines.
💡 Other essential programs include:
-
Education Innovation and Research (EIR) – Tackles persistent educational challenges including early learning.
-
Comprehensive Literacy State Development – Supports literacy from birth through grade 12.
-
Demonstration Grants for Indian Children, Native Hawaiian Education, and Alaska Native Education – With specific early learning components.
👶 Early Intervention for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities
Through IDEA Part C, formula grants are awarded to states and territories to establish coordinated, multidisciplinary programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities (ages birth–2) and their families. These early intervention services are vital to identifying and addressing developmental delays early on.
🎨 Preschool Grants for Children with Disabilities
Under IDEA Part B, Section 619, this program provides funding to make special education services accessible to children aged 3 to 5 with disabilities, ensuring school readiness and inclusive growth.
🧩 Preschool Development Grant – Birth through Five (PDG B-5)
PDG B-5, part of ESSA, helps states design and implement plans that unify childcare and early education systems. Administered by HHS and ED, this grant promotes collaboration across providers in a mixed delivery system.
📚 Title I and Early Learning: Non-Regulatory Guidance
This guidance clarifies how school districts can allocate Title I, Part A funds to establish high-quality preschool programs for eligible children — boosting educational equity right from the start.
📺 Ready to Learn Programming
Through educational TV and digital media, this program delivers interactive content to support school readiness, especially among low-income families.
👩👧 Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS)
This initiative enables low-income parents to continue their postsecondary education by providing campus-based child care, easing the dual pressure of parenting and studying.
📖 Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL)
The IAL program enhances literacy development from birth through 12th grade by funding evidence-based literacy initiatives in high-need LEAs and schools.
🎭 Arts in Education National Program
Promoting high-quality arts education, this program serves students — particularly those with disabilities and from low-income families — with rich, creative opportunities to learn and express themselves.
🔍 Screening & Assessment: Measuring What Matters
ED promotes the use of comprehensive early learning assessments that track children's development and guide instructional decisions.
Efforts include:
-
OSEP’s early childhood outcomes work, which supports states in measuring outcomes for young children receiving special education.
-
The IES guide, Using Student Achievement Data to Support Instructional Decision Making, helps educators make data-informed decisions, establish a schoolwide data culture, and empower students to monitor their own learning.