Pre-K & Early Childhood


  • Yellow caution tape is shown in the foreground. In the background is the facade of the U.S. Capitol Building.
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Early ed, K-12 make plans for a government shutdown

    Immediate concerns center on Head Start, Impact Aid and school meals, advocates said. A prolonged shutdown would make situations worse.

    By Sept. 29, 2023
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    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive/K-12 Dive, data from Whiteboard Advisors
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    Boosting the early childhood workforce to boost the economy

    Early education leaders call for stronger career pathways and better messaging around the child care industry’s importance in a Wednesday panel.

    By Sept. 28, 2023
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    Stock Photo via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from K-12 Dive

    K-12 Dive has gathered some a selection of our best coverage from 2023 so far as a one-stop resource on the trends to watch in the months ahead.

    By K-12 Dive staff
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    FatCamera via Getty Images
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    By The Numbers: Child care industry braces for potential funding cliff

    About 3.2 million children will lose access to child care after this week as American Rescue Plan funds run out, The Century Foundation said.

    By Sept. 25, 2023
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    Kara Arundel/K-12 Dive/K-12 Dive, data from U.S. Department of Education
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    Ed tech for little ones needs more testing before rollout

    An Education Department Games Expo panel highlighted the importance of gauging young children's reactions to programs in development.

    By Sept. 22, 2023
  • Preschool students from New York City Public Schools stand in a socially distanced classroom
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    Michael Loccisano / Staff via Getty Images
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    By the Numbers: How pandemic pre-K enrollment varied by race, region

    Census Bureau data shows the greatest declines among Asian students and children in households with one non-working parent.

    By Sept. 1, 2023
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    Pop Quiz: Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

    From school construction concerns to a Senate committee’s FY24 education spending proposal, what did you learn from our stories the week of July 31?

    By Aug. 4, 2023
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    FatCamera via Getty Images
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    6 actions for closing racial gaps in schools

    Strengthening early literacy, increasing instructional time and providing wraparound services are among strategies recommended by McKinsey & Co.

    By July 21, 2023
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    monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Pearson

    How to overcome the pandemic’s impact on today’s youngest learners

    Learn five ways educators can help today's youngest learners get ahead. 

    July 17, 2023
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    Pop Quiz: Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

    From new federal registered apprenticeship programs to superintendent stressors, what did you learn from our stories the week of July 10?

    By July 14, 2023
  • A young child kneels on the floor in a classroom and uses a handheld broom and dustpan to sweep the floor.
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    lithiumcloud via Getty Images
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    EPA wants stricter rules for child care centers, schools serving young children

    A pre-publication notice emphasizes the risk of lead exposure to young children.

    By July 13, 2023
  • A woman therapist is shown discussing drawings with a young boy.
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    mmpile via Getty Images
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    Nation makes progress on early intervention for children with autism

    Autism Speaks’ inaugural annual report and dashboard provide national and state data on autism-centered policies and outcomes.

    By June 12, 2023
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    Illustration: Cathryn Virginia for Industry Dive

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    STAFFED UP

    4 ways to tackle retention, recruitment challenges in early childhood education

    Universal preschool and overall enrollment are gaining steam, but staffing issues persist. 

    By May 31, 2023
  • A family child care provider serves pre-K and Head Start children in Philadelphia
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    Permission granted by Sheldon Erb
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    Pandemic led to drop in early intervention participation

    NIEER research also found young children of color who have disabilities, as well as those in lower-income states, were less likely to receive services.

    By May 24, 2023
  • The hands of young children in a classroom are held up with a chalkboard in the background.
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    Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
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    More young children are back in preschool

    A NIEER study shows enrollment rose in 2021-22 compared to the year before, but still lags behind pre-pandemic numbers.

    By May 18, 2023
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    Pop Quiz: Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

    From new data on the cost of housing for educators to school construction challenges, what did you learn from our stories the week of May 8?

    By May 12, 2023
  • An adult sits on the floor holding a book with back toward camera. A group of young students sit facing the adult and look at the book.
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    monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images
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    Council for Professional Recognition places equity at forefront in early educator guidance update

    The nonprofit that administers the Child Development Associate credential aims for “a curriculum to help build a model world based on tolerance and inclusion.”

    By March 20, 2023
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    Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
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    HHS creates research, technical assistance center for early ed workforce

    These professionals are among the country’s lowest-paid employees despite their specific skill set, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said.

    By Feb. 6, 2023
  • Adult sits at desk with an opening laptop and cell phone in one hand. In the other hand is an infant.
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    damircudic via Getty Images
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    Unmet child care needs put $122B strain on the economy, report finds

    The teacher workforce is particularly impacted by the lack of affordable and quality child care.

    By Feb. 2, 2023
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    Halfpoint via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Council for Professional Recognition

    Manning up for men: Recruitment and retention in the early childhood field

    Having diverse role models of both genders is vital for children in early education. How can we enlist more men in ECE—and ensure they stay?

    Jan. 30, 2023
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images

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    Pop Quiz: Test yourself on this week’s K-12 news

    From new K-12 cybersecurity guidance to an expansive preschool initiative in Hawaii, what did you learn from this week's stories?

    By Jan. 27, 2023
  • Adult is seated near an outside playground surrounded by three young children. The adult is holding a chalkboard that says "Ready Keiki"
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    Retrieved from The office of Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke on January 26, 2023
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    Hawaii outlines plan for 465 more pre-K classrooms by 2032

    Large-scale early learning programs can have many benefits but there are instructional and financial considerations, says a McKinsey & Co. report.

    By Jan. 26, 2023
  • A young student sits at a classroom table with head in hands.
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    lithiumcloud via Getty Images
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    Panel: Trauma of preschool suspensions, expulsions is long-lasting

    Teacher, family and student supports are needed to end exclusionary discipline of young children, speakers said in a Hunt Institute webinar.

    By Jan. 10, 2023
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    RichVintage via Getty Images
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    8 K-12 trends to watch in 2023

    Academic recovery, family engagement, cyberthreats and school security concerns are among challenges coming at school leaders from all sides.

    By , , , Jan. 4, 2023
  • Preschool teacher sitting with students on the floor.
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    kali9 via Getty Images
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    6 strategies to help children and families ease into kindergarten

    Kindergarten transitions are especially important for families whose children didn’t attend preschool or are hesitant about enrolling, one expert said.

    By Elena Ferrarin • Dec. 20, 2022
  • An adult teacher is in the front of a classroom sitting in a chair reading a book and showing the young students sitting in front of the teacher on the floor the pages in the book.
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    Permission granted by Jenn Adams
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    Deep Dive

    ‘Tripledemic’ upends school operations, requires adjustments

    Administrators share strategies on how they are working to minimize sickness and missed class time.

    By Dec. 19, 2022