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National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning

A partnership to advance evidence-based child development and teaching and learning practices across early childhood programs.

Our Mission

The National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching and Learning (NC-ECDTL) identifies, develops, and promotes the implementation of evidence-based practices that lead to positive child outcomes across 0-5 early childhood programs.

The NC-ECDTL is operating under a five-year grant aimed at impacting the training and technical assistance needs of Head Start and child care programs and systems.

The goal of NC-ECDTL is to identify, develop and promote the implementation of evidence-based practices that are culturally and linguistically responsive and lead to positive child outcomes across 0-5 early childhood programs, as well as to support strong professional development systems.

Our Partners

The NC-ECDTL approach is carried out by a consortium of partner organizations.

Together, the system supports Head Start and Early Head Start programs as they provide high-quality comprehensive services to pregnant women, children and families and support the school readiness of young children who live in poverty.

  • ZERO TO THREE
  • University of Washington’s Cultivate Learning and I-LABS
  • Vanderbilt University
  • Child Trends
  • Children’s Equity Project

As the primary partner, ZERO TO THREE, is responsible for setting the overall direction for the center and providing leadership as we work toward addressing the goals of the center. NC-ECDTL is funded by the Office of Head Start (OHS) and the Office of Child Care (OCC) within the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Recent Resources

Multicultural Principles

The Multicultural Principles for Early Childhood Leaders is organized into three action categories: Explore, Nurture, and Grow. These three actions describe what Head Start leaders and staff can do to ensure program services embrace and use the principles in everyday practice.

Professional Development

The iPD Portfolio is a learning management system created to support ongoing professional development for staff in Head Start and child care settings. It has accessible, self-paced courses based on staff roles and interests. 

Early Head Start only reaches 11 percent of eligible infants and toddlers.

Early Head Start is poised to offer babies safe care and crucial developmental services, while helping parents improve their economic security.

Early Head Start has been a blessing to me as a young, working mother trying to get back into college.
Kaylah Dessausure

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