The event focused on identifying solutions to the most pressing challenges currently facing early childhood education nationwide. Over the course of three days, advocates shared insights, addressed systemic barriers, and explored ways to deepen a collective commitment to ensuring all children—regardless of zip code—are born into systems that center them, their families, and their communities from the start.
The following priorities took center stage throughout the convening:
- Families and communities know what works—and must have a seat at the table: Lasting solutions begin at the local level. When the voices of families and communities are elevated, systems become more relevant, meaningful, and impactful—enhancing the chances of long-term sustainability and scalability.
- Educators drive change, but not without investment: Early childhood teachers create safe, nurturing learning environments that lay a strong foundation for children's growth and development, in both the near and long-term. Teacher success relies on steady and meaningful local, state, and federal investments in their compensation, well-being, and professional growth.
- The time to think bigger and bolder is now: With proposed changes to federal programs that children and their families—both within and beyond Educare—rely on across the country, intentional, strategic, and unified advocacy is more critical than ever. At the same time, we must think bigger and bolder about our North Star and how we will continue to evolve and transform in order to meet the strengths and the interests of all children, their families, and their communities.
"Our annual Network Meeting provides a space for colleagues to be in community with each other, thinking together, learning with and from one another, sharing ideas, and grappling with challenges we face across early childhood education," said Dr. Kara H. Ahmed, President of the Educare Network. "Our focus is on how we can leverage the collective brilliance to mobilize early childhood education across our country and identify sustainable, scalable, and necessary solutions that ensure excellence for all children and their families. This work cannot be done in a silo and it will not be achieved by any one person or organization. That's why the power of our Network is profound."
Choosing Flint as the backdrop for such a monumental meeting was a deliberate decision. The Flint water crisis exposed how deeply systems had failed its youngest residents. In response, the community invested in its future by building Educare Flint, a nationally recognized early learning center born from hardship and powered by hope. Much like the city itself—one that has faced significant adversity and taken bold, transformative steps—early childhood education is often neglected until it reaches a point of crisis.
"In Flint, we've learned that when faced with systemic uncertainties and failures, communities have the power to rebuild systems in radically better ways," said Dr. Ja'Nel Jamerson, CEO at the Flint Center for Educational Excellence. "We are creating a national blueprint for communities everywhere, proving what's possible when local, state, and national leaders commit to real lasting change that is based in strong partnerships and unapologetic love for all children and families."
With 25 schools across the country, and plans for continued growth, the Network's strength lies in its national reach, its relationships and its unwavering dedication to educational opportunity and community empowerment.
"As we continue to navigate an ever-evolving landscape, we are steadfast in our commitment to advancing our mission and vision, doubling down on our values, and remaining laser-focused on being a Network that fosters a generational impact, centers communities, and delivers the highest quality of early learning experiences for all children across the country," said Ahmed.
To learn more about the Educare Network or to learn how you can help support quality early childhood education in your community, visit educareschools.org.
About the Educare Network
A national network of early childhood champions, Educare schools are early care and education programs partnering with families and communities to impact the lives of thousands of young children nationwide. With 25 schools located across the country, the Educare Network's mission is to advance quality early learning through partnership and innovation around practice, policy and research so every child can thrive, with a vision of ensuring every family has access to quality early care and education in their community, promoting positive outcomes for generations to come.
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SOURCE Educare
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