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The Ounce is Now Start Early We’ve rebranded! Our new name, Start Early, along with our new logo and tagline, Champions for Early Learning, focuses on the idea that starting early and nurturing the attachments between children and adults are essential to a child’s present and future well-being. This belief always has and always will be part of our DNA. While our look may be changing, we remain dedicated to advancing our mission and inspiring others to support the children and families we serve. Learn more about our change. |
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Start Early & Close the Opportunity Gap We know how to give every child an equal opportunity to learn. To thrive. To reach their full potential. We’re a community of dedicated early learning champions on a mission to change the world one child at a time. Learn more about why it’s important to Start Early and how you can make an impact today. |
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New Initiative Led by the City of Chicago
Start Early Supports Launch of Every Child Ready Chicago Earlier this month, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Every Child Ready Chicago (ECRC), a multi-year public-private partnership to align the city’s early childhood systems so that all children in Chicago enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school and life. Start Early is proud to work alongside the Mayor’s Office to provide strategic and logistical support to this initiative. The launch garnered a strong presence in local media, including an appearance by Start Early President Diana Rauner on WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight
.” In addition, Rauner joined Chicago Deputy Mayor of Education and Human Services Sybil Madison for a Facebook Live discussion about the new initiative and the state of early learning in Chicago ─ check out the video. |
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Join Us!
Starting Early Begins With...Early Childhood Advocacy
Prenatal & Maternal Health Care
Economic & Workforce Stability
Join us for a three-part discussion series with experts who will offer critical solutions to make equal opportunity to early learning and care a reality. Our first webinar is coming up on Wednesday, November 11 at 12 p.m. / Noon CST. This discussion between early childhood experts will cover the importance of advocacy and its power to promote and inspire community change in the fight against generational poverty and inequity. |
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New Study Shows Access Played Key Role in Achieving More Equitable School-Based, Pre-K Enrollment A new study by education researchers at Start Early, NORC at the University of Chicago and UChicago Consortium on School Research found policy changes launched by the City of Chicago in 2013 enabled greater equity in both access to and enrollment in full-day, school-based pre-K. Notably, enrollment tripled among Black students and students living in Chicago’s lowest-income neighborhoods.
Read more about the findings and key insights for other school districts implementing similar efforts nationwide. |
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How to discuss racism in an age appropriate way
Tackling Tough Topics with Your Little OneIn our fast-paced world it can feel like issues of violence and racism are dominating the content we consume. While we are all working to process our thoughts, feelings and emotions around these difficult topics, so are our little ones. They are seeing these topics play out around them and, more importantly, they’re watching how the adults in their lives are responding. That’s why we created this series, Tackling Tough Topics with Your Little One, to give you helpful advice from our early learning experts as well as tips to navigate discussing difficult topics like racism with your children. Read our
latest article on discussing racism with your little one. |
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Start Early Chosen to Lead Implementation of the National Center for Parent, Family, and Community Engagement
Start Early has been awarded the National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (NCPFCE) by the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start, in partnership with the Office of Child Care. As one of four National Centers tasked with developing evidence-based best practices for Early Head Start and Head Start programs across the country, the NCPFCE will focus on supporting family well-being, effective family and community engagement, and children’s school readiness, including transitions to kindergarten. Start Early is excited to work with a consortium of partners to bring family engagement, parent voice and community engagement to the forefront of early childhood education over the next five years. |
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