The Early Experiences Matter Policy Guide includes an issue brief on Early Head Start. To access the brief and the complete toolkit, click here.

Baby Matters: A Gateway to State Policies and Initiatives is a searchable database that contains information on state policies and initiatives that impact infants, toddlers and their families. To search Baby Matters for information on Early Head Start, click here.

Building on the Promise: State Initiatives to Expand Access to Early Head Start for Young Children and their Families
This joint report by ZERO TO THREE and the Center for Law and Social Policy draws on newly conducted research on state efforts to expand or enhance access to Early Head Start services for infants, toddlers and their families.  The federal Early Head Start program was created to help minimize the disparities caused by poverty by supporting the healthy development of expectant mothers and low-income infants and toddlers in the context of their families and communities.  However, less than 3 percent of babies and toddlers who are eligible for Early Head Start are currently being reached.  This report is an in-depth study of current state initiatives to build upon Early Head Start, and includes an analysis of the lesson learned from state experiences, as well as recommendations to help other states expand the reach of Early Head Start.

Download the full report or executive summary.

Download profiles of state initiatives to build upon Early Head Start:

Hearing on “Investing in Early Education: Paths to Improving Children’s Success”
Statement of Matthew Melmed, Executive Director, ZERO TO THREE
Submitted to the Committee on Education and Labor
U.S. House of Representatives
January 23, 2008
[ 64.0 KB ]

Summarizes the key highlights for babies and toddlers in the Head Start for School Readiness Act, the final legislation reauthorizing Head Start and Early Head Start.
[ 32 KB ]

Side-by-Side Comparison of the Early Head Start Language in the Head Start for School Readiness Act
Provides a detailed comparison of the House, Senate, and final Conference Report language on key Early Head Start issues in the Head Start reauthorization
[ 108 KB ]

Early Head Start: Celebrating Success and Ensuring Its Future
by Deborah Roderick Stark

Early Head Start  is a federally-funded, community-based program that provides early, continuous, intensive and comprehensive child development and family support services to low-income pregnant women and families with children under age three. Early Head Start represents the best of what scientific research recommends for ensuring good health, strong families and positive early learning experiences for infants and toddlers.
[ 135 KB  ]

Hearing on "Improving Head Start for America's Children"
Statement of Dr. Ross Thompson, Board Member, ZERO TO THREE
Submitted to the Education and Labor Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education
U.S. House of Representatives
February 28, 2007
[ 67.7 KB ]

Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project: Early Head Start Works
Summarizes research findings on the effectiveness of Early Head Start. 
[ 59.7 KB ]