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The Office of Child Care supports low-income working families through child care financial assistance and promotes children’s learning by improving the quality of early care and education programs.
National Early Childhood Organizations
The following are national organizations, programs, and services that support early learning professionals in their efforts to provide high-quality early care and education. Click on the organization or program’s name to access the website.
A national resource center that disseminates research and evidence-based practices on promoting social emotional development and school readiness. CSEFEL’s website includes training materials, videos, and print resources for early care, health and education providers.
Generates, translates, and applies knowledge in the service of improving life outcomes for children in the United States and throughout the world
Child Care Aware works with more than 400 state and local Child Care Resource and Referral agencies to advance a child care system that effectively serves all children and families. The organization leads projects that increase the quality and availability of child care, undertakes research, and advocates child care policies to improve the lives of children and families.
Promotes improved performance and recognition of professionals in the early childhood education of children aged birth to 5 years old. Administers the Child Development Associate (CDA) National Credentialing Program.
An international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. DEC is especially for individuals who work with or on behalf of children with special needs, birth through age eight, and their families.
Funded by the federal Administration for Children and Families, the Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center (ECLKC) provides information and resources about school readiness, policy and regulation, and training and technical assistance.
One of the nation’s oldest and largest multidisciplinary centers devoted to the study of children and their families, FPG provides research and evaluation, professional development, technical assistance, and outreach to advance understanding of child development and evidence-based early care and education.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and its member pediatricians dedicate their efforts and resources to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. Healthy Children provides resources and information for families and child care providers.
Information about child assessment and curriculum, as well as professional development and training and links to related research.
A national membership organization working to improve early childhood education through its scholarly journals, conferences, and advocacy. NAEYC supports a system of national accreditation for early care and education programs and is a leader in promoting developmentally appropriate practice (DAP).
A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting quality child care by strengthening the profession of family child care. NAFCC sponsors the only nationally recognized accreditation system designed specifically for family child care providers.
The National Early Childhood Program Accreditation was established in 1991 to encourage quality and recognize excellence in early childhood programs throughout the United States and other countries. It offers a National Administrator Credential and a Certified Child Care Professional credential.
Supported by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) under the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). NECTAC serves to improve service systems and outcomes for children and families.
Conducts and communicates research to support high-quality, effective, early childhood education for all young children.
Offers information, research, outreach and networking opportunities related to children and child care.
The Program for Infant/Toddler Care seeks to ensure that America’s infants get a safe, healthy, emotionally secure, and intellectually rich start in life.
Information about Teaching Strategies Gold for child assessment, as well as curriculum planning.
Provides professionals working with very young children and their families an extensive collection of resources aimed at supporting their work with infants and toddlers.
