Early Care and Education Consortium

08/27/2026

Check out Vox’s latest reporting on child care, What happens when private equity owns your childcare? As discussions around private equity's role in child care continue, this piece provides important context by examining what the evidence actually shows.

The article highlights recent research by Jessica Brown and Chris Herbsthttps://platform.vox.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/PE-Child-Care-1.pdf finding that private equity-backed providers are often larger, more established and more likely to achieve various quality accreditations, with no evidence that private equity ownership leads to lower-quality care, standards, or worse outcomes for children. Be sure to check it out and see how the research compares to some of the common misconceptions surrounding private equity in child care! https://www.vox.com/life/500695/private-equity-child-care-daycare-congress

We’re finally getting some answers on institutional investors and daycare.

08/26/2026

Be sure to check out HINGE Advisors CEO Kathy Ligon’s latest piece on the role of private equity in child care. Drawing on nearly 40 years of experience in early childhood education, Kathy challenges common misconceptions and shares her firsthand perspective on how private equity investment can help strengthen the quality of child care programs. From supporting growth, teacher supports, and operational excellence to helping providers serve more children and families, Kathy argues that responsible investment can be a force for positive change in the industry. Read her article here:

Private equity in childcare draws criticism, but the loudest voices only tell one side. Kathy Ligon shares what she has seen firsthand across 40 years in the industry.

08/26/2026

Thank you for inviting us back to speak at SHIFT Childcare Leaders Conference! Looking forward to a productive conversation!

08/07/2026

Thank you, Kiddie Academy for welcoming ECEC to your annual conference in Florida!

We enjoyed meeting with child care franchise owners and leaders from across the country and discussing the impact of federal and state policy on the child care sector. These conversations are critical as we work to ensure providers have the support they need to serve children and families. Child care franchisees are an important part of our nation's early learning ecosystem, helping expand access to quality care in communities large and small. We're grateful for the opportunity to share insights, learn from providers, and strengthen partnerships across the field.

08/04/2026

Learning Care has spent nearly 60 years helping children learn, grow, and thrive. Through quality early education, meaningful relationships, and a commitment to lifelong learning, they are making a difference in communities nationwide.

Learn more about Learning Care’s story in our latest Provider Spotlight!

Discover the impactful work of our featured provider.

07/29/2026

On July 21, ECEC hosted its first Teacher Fly-In, bringing together teachers, center directors, and early childhood professionals from across the state for a day of advocacy and engagement. Participants visited the State Capitol and met with policymakers, legislative leaders, and community partners to discuss issues affecting children, families, and the early childhood workforce.

The Fly-In gave educators the opportunity to share their firsthand experiences, speak about the challenges and needs of their programs, and help decision-makers better understand the realities of early childhood education. These conversations reminded us that the voices of teachers and providers are essential to shaping policies that impact young children and the communities they call home.

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make ECEC's first Teacher Fly-In a meaningful opportunity for early childhood professionals to be heard, represented, and included in the conversations that affect the future of our field. Congressman Danny K. DavisBig Blue Marble AcademyBright Path Early Learning and Child Care Cadence EducationThe Goddard SchoolKinderCare Learning CentersLearning CareNew Horizon AcademyPremier Early Childhood Education PartnersSafari Kid Global Preschool & Daycare

07/28/2026

ECEC member Cadence Education hosted Connecticut State Senator Douglas McCrory at their Cadence Academy Preschool of Hartford location last week. Thank you Senator McCrory for taking the time to visit, read to the children, and learn about the issues impacting early childhood education in Connecticut! And thank you to the dedicated teachers and staff who educate and care for Connecticut's littlest learners each day!

07/07/2026

Next up in our Provider Spotlight series, we are excited to help tell the story of The Sunshine House. For more than 50 years, now in over 100 schools across 6 states, they have been helping children build a foundation for lifelong learning while enabling parents to work, pursue education, and support their families.

Discover the impactful work of our featured provider.

06/28/2026

New analysis from the Minority Joint Economic Committee, led by Senator Maggie Hassan, highlights how smarter use of federal child care tax benefits could make care more affordable for families — and pay off for businesses. Be sure to check it out!

06/22/2026

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen was accompanied by lawmakers on Tuesday for the ceremonial signing of a law that eliminates a sunset date for expanded eligibility for federal childcare subsidies. The subsidies provide vouchers to families to pay some or all of the cost of childcare. Nebraska passed a law to temporarily increase household income eligibility for the subsidies in 2021, which raised the eligibility threshold from 130% of the federal poverty level to 185%.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen was accompanied by lawmakers on Tuesday for the ceremonial signing of a law that eliminates a sunset date for expanded eligibility for federal childcare subsidies.