No two states govern early childhood the same way. Explore a state-by-state look at early childhood governance, showing how programs are administered and which agencies oversee them.
Rigorous scientific evidence informs our annual policy guide, which gives states actionable solutions to improve outcomes for all young children.
How do you know if a state policy truly improves outcomes for infants, toddlers, and their families? We reviewed thousands of research studies for you.
We conduct original research—including program evaluation, policy analyses, benefit-cost analyses, and mixed methods studies—to build the evidence.
To support lawmakers and advocates, we offer research and evaluation, data and analyses, presentations, testimony, agenda development, and more.
We aim to accelerate states’ implementation of evidence-based policies that help all children thrive from the start.
Who We Are
We are a nonpartisan research center at Vanderbilt University. We focus on the rigorous evidence connecting brain science with state policies and programs.
What We Do
We inform lawmakers, agencies, advocates, and academics about policies to help families thrive–while growing states’ health, safety, and prosperity.
Why prenatal to 3?
The first three years of life have a powerful impact on the future wellbeing of every person. Families can benefit from a strong early childhood system of care.
The Latest
Since the release of our 2020 Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap, every state has increased their investment in at least one effective Roadmap policy, but the choices they have made vary considerably. The distinct choices that
Research is clear that money matters for children’s wellbeing and achievement. Greater income allows parents to better meet children’s basic needs, and financial stability can reduce parental stress. State child tax credits (CTCs) provide one
Ever since the successful temporary expansion of the federal child tax credit (CTC) in 2021, state CTCs have become an increasingly common state policy to support families’ economic stability. Prior to the expansion, only 6
Learn how statewide paid family and medical leave (PFML) programs are financed through payroll contributions from workers and employers. This policy brief explores key decisions for funding PFML programs, including start-up funding, premium contributions, rate determination, and wage coverage.
Access to high-quality child care is essential for a family’s active workforce participation and children’s healthy development. Child care is not just a service—it is crucial infrastructure that supports economic stability and growth both for
Paid family and medical leave (PFML) is one of 12 evidence-based policies in our 2024 Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap, which details states’ progress toward adopting and implementing policies that effectively improve child and family wellbeing.
