Each Child. Every Community.

The 2024 Smart Start Conference brought together professionals, policymakers, and advocates in early childhood education and development from over 24 states and 3 countries! Here’s a recap of the week- Monday, May 6: Preconferences We kicked off the conference with a...

“Working in ECE begins a route to poverty for many” - Dr. Ashley Williams, Center for the Study of the Child Care Employment. Smart Start conference attendees joined together to explore challenges facing the early childhood workforce, actions being taken by...

The pandemic created unprecedented challenges for the early childhood sector. However, despite these challenges, federal relief funding for state and local governments and a renewed focus on the importance of child care and family supports, translates into historic opportunities. Smart...