Educare: A Research-Based Program
Origin: Educare Learning Network
Link: Click here
Summary: The Educare model draws from a wide range of research-based practices that foster learning
environments that support infants, toddlers, and young children who are growing up in stressful, impoverished
communities.
Talking Points & Important Information:
• Active in 18 cities and states including the District of Columbia, Educare schools each serve 140-200 students
from 0-5 years of age in full-day, full-year programs based on the best early education practices that ensure the
school-readiness of children most at risk for academic failure.
• At Educare schools, teachers work with parents and children beginning from infancy through preschool in
specially designed environments that minimize disruption and develop strong emotional foundations essential
for learning. Curricula develop pre-literacy and early math skills such as letter and number recognition, problemsolving, and counting. Equal emphasis is given to developing socio-emotional skills, the ability focus on a task,
persistence, impulse control, and cooperation with peers.
• Data shows that early childhood education programs like Educare, which focus on the holistic development of
at-risk youth, have significantly positive outcomes. In fact, children who begin the Educare program early in life
score better on a school readiness assessment when they leave Educare for kindergarten compared to lateentering children. Children from both English- and Spanish-speaking homes who enter Educare before age 2
score over 98—near the national average (100) and exceeding the typical scores of at-risk children.
2015 POLICY BOOK
STATE
INTRO
LEVEL
PAGE 27