Early Care and Learning Council

For over 40 years, the Early Care & Learning Council has passionately advocated for the youngest members of our New York State family. ECLC is a statewide organization that works to increase the quality, affordability, and capacity of the early care and learning field and does so through training and technical assistance, data management and advocacy initiatives.

Your donation to Strong Start NY, our annual giving campaign, will go towards programs that support:

• 35 Child Care Resource & Referral agencies in New York State, who work with families and child care providers.
• 1.5 million children under age 6 who live in New York State
• 20,000+ child care providers in New York State

Did you know?

New York is one of the most expensive states for child care in the United States. One year of center-based infant care can cost more than a year’s tuition at a state university. (Child Care Aware New York State Fact Sheet)

The brain has the most plasticity in the first few years of life, and 85% of a child's brain connections are already formed before the age of 5. (Parents and the High Cost of Child Care: 2014 Report) 

62% of mothers with infants in New York are also working, and need affordable and quality child care for their children. (Zero to Three NYS Fact Sheet)

Our Impact in New York

• Gives children the chance to succeed in life by increasing the quality and supply of early education programs.
• Allows families the opportunity to work and feel safe knowing their child is in a high quality early learning environment.
• Supports child care providers in building and growing their small businesses.
• Educates business leaders on the relationship between quality child care programs and employee productivity and the future workforce.
• Advocates to elected officials to support legislation that improves the New York early education system.

Testimonials from:

Families…

“In this rural area where we live, child care is difficult to find. Quality day care providers are scarce. Having access to a program for our son enables my husband and me to continue working.” – Ann T., parent in Westport, New York

Early educators…

“As a result of having attended the New Director’s Institute, I feel more supported in performing the duties of my position. I have also gained positive working relationships with colleagues in the field.” – Stacie Boelkins, Director, Christ the King Early Childhood Education Center, Albany, NY

Business leaders…

“Businesses benefit from affordable, high quality child care in two ways: a working parent who has appropriate child care can be solely focused on his or her work, and in the long-term, the children in high quality child care programs are better educated and better prepared to be future employees,” - Heather C. Briccetti, Esq., president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State, Inc.