Early Childhood 101 (EC 101)

Why This Matters

Early childhood systems are complex, spanning multiple program types, funding streams, and policies. Key stakeholders, including funders, legislators, policymakers, and community and state leaders, need a shared understanding of how the system works in order to make informed decisions and take coordinated action. EC 101 helps to build that common language and shared understanding.

How We Drove Change

Using a Journey Map, EC 101 illustrates the experiences of the nearly 360,000 young children in Massachusetts, emphasizing how social determinants, including socioeconomic status, race, education, and geography, influence a child’s development and access to supports from health care to early learning.

EC 101 focuses on four interconnected systems:

• Health & Wellbeing
  Supporting children’s physical, mental, and developmental health
  
  
• Family & Caregiver Support
  Ensuring families have access to guidance, resources, and social supports
  
  
• Education & Care
  Providing high-quality early learning opportunities across settings and program types
  
  
• Community Engagement
  Connecting families, providers, and communities to build coordinated support networks
  

Our research began with the question:

"A child is born in in Massachusetts, then what happens?

Through deep investigation into existing research, conversations with experts, and analysis of data regarding the early childhood experience, we developed the following systems-level buckets to explain children and families’ experiences in the Commonwealth.

Timeline and Scale

EC 101 launched in January 2023. It is periodically updated to reflect high-level changes in data, policy, and the early childhood system.

What Happened

• Broader understanding
  EC 101 increased key stakeholders’ knowledge of early childhood programs and systems.
  
  
• Shared language
  The tool provides a common framework, helping cross-sector stakeholders communicate from the same foundation.
  
  
• Equity focus
  By highlighting social determinants and system gaps, EC 101 makes equity considerations explicit for decision-makers.
  
  
• Statewide impact
  Drawing on data covering nearly all young children in the state, the tool supports strategic, statewide conversations.

Resources and Key Documents

• Explore the full interactive site
• Read about the project and view the launch (Eye on Early Childhood)
  

Current Status and What’s Next

Status: Ongoing

EC 101 continues to serve as an entry point for funders and partners, with sessions evolving to reflect current issues and emerging priorities in early childhood.