What We Do
Children thrive when they spend their most formative years with caregivers who are dedicated, educated, skilled and well-compensated. Our work promotes positive and equitable outcomes for all children in New York State.
Our work intersects with public agencies, private philanthropists, institutions of higher education, researchers, policymakers and advocates.
System Building
We work to strengthen policies, programs and resources that lead to equitable environments for young children.
Innovation and Implementation
We challenge convention, explore new paradigms and implement research-based and data-driven solutions.
Public Policy and Communication
We conduct and examine early childhood research and present our findings and recommendations to policymakers.
System Building
We work to strengthen policies, programs and resources that lead to equitable environments for young children.
As the home of New York Works for Children and the Aspire Registry, the state's integrated professional development system for the early childhood workforce, we work to ensure everyone who works with young children has access to high-quality education and professional learning.
Our statewide team at QUALITYstarsNY, the state's Quality Rating and Improvement System for early childhood programs, serves more than 1,300 early childhood programs across New York State with one-on-one guidance, high-quality professional development and dedicated tuition assistance for staff.
Our Early Childhood Career Development Centers are located in all 10 regions of New York State and serve early childhood educators across the workforce, from those attaining their first credential to experienced educators achieving graduate-level credits, degrees and continuing professional learning.
Our professional development and coaching team developed the Core Body of Knowledge, core competencies for New York State's early childhood educators, and innovative models of professional development and coaching.
CUNY Campus Support
Our work supports CUNY campus child care centers, CUNY student parents and community collective impact groups focused on early childhood.
Innovation and Implementation
We challenge convention, explore new paradigms and implement research-based and data-driven solutions.
Our New York City Early Childhood Research Network brings together researchers, policymakers, funders, and other advocates to promote actionable research to inform public policy for young children.
Our Early Childhood Leadership Initiative supports current and aspiring early childhood leaders across the state with leadership-focused professional development, networking, scholarships for higher education and more.
Our CAPS Online Support program provides training and technical assistance to child care providers who report attendance to the Administration for Children's Services (ACS).
Our Informal Family Child Care Project advocates for and supports home-based family child care providers with resources, collaborative learning experiences and consultations.
Public Policy and Communication
We conduct and examine early childhood research and present our findings and recommendations to policymakers.
Core Body of Knowledge
Explore New York State's Core Competencies for Early Childhood Educators
Early Learning Guidelines
Review the New York State Early Learning Guidelines for child development
Research Findings
See research findings from the NYC Early Childhood Research Network
Quality Standards
Learn more about QUALITYstarsNY's evidence-based standards for early childhood programs
Policy Briefs
Read our policy briefs outlining recommendations for early childhood systems