Early Childhood Education

Mission

The mission of the Office of Early Childhood Education is to provide leadership and services to districts and communities in the development and implementation of quality early childhood and family literacy programs that enable preschool children to enter school ready to succeed.

Core Messages

The Office of Early Childhood Education:

Respects parents in their role as the first and principal teacher of their children because learning begins at birth.
Expects learning environments and instructional practices to be developmentally appropriate and instructionally sound.
Expects professional development for all stakeholders to be guided by scientifically-based research.
Respects, accepts, and acknowledges cultural diversity and individual differences.
Promotes internal and external partnerships that support children and families.
Expects all parents to have access to high quality Even Start model family literacy initiatives that lead to self-sufficiency.
Expects only appropriate and on-going assessment of learners and programs that will guide individual instruction and lead to program enhancement.