Investing in Children, Families and Communities

Childcare is Essential

Working to ensure all publicly funded birth to three and Pre-K programs are of high quality, affordable, and accessible to all eligible children and families in the District of Columbia.

Who We Are

The DC Early Learning Collaborative (DCELC) is a dedicated organization committed to preparing children from birth until they begin school for success in academics, careers, and life. We collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders to enhance the quality of early childhood education in the District of Columbia.

What We Do

At DCELC, we focus on developing, acquiring, and disseminating economic, social, and educational research tailored for early learning professionals. Our goal is to equip educators with the knowledge and resources necessary to provide high-quality early childhood education. Through our collaborative efforts, we strive to ensure that every young child in the District has the foundation they need to succeed in school and life.

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DCELC Mission Statement

The mission of DCELC is to work with a wide range of stakeholders to prepare children from birth to school entry for success in school, careers and in life by improving the quality and quantity, and affordability of high-quality early care and education services in the District of Columbia.

DCELC Vision Statement

The creation of a seamless continuum of high-quality Early Childhood Education programs and services in the District of Columbia that result in positive outcomes for all young children and their families? We share that vision and we invite you to join the DC Early Learning Collaborative in making that vision a reality.

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DCELC Theory of Change

The DC Early Learning Collaborative will develop, acquire and disseminate economic, social and educational research; utilize state of the art communication, mobilization tools and strategies; and convene and collaborate with early learning professionals and other key stakeholders to achieve high-quality early care and education in the District of Columbia.

1964

Washington DC’s Anacostia Pre-School Project serves as a pilot site for the Federal Head.

1972

Washington DC’s Public Schools (DCPS) becomes one of the first jurisdictions in the country to offer pre-Kindergarten to four-year olds.

1979

The Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Early Childhood Development (MACECD) is established to hold public hearings on early child education issues; increase public awareness of programs; recommend methods of upgrading services between providers, the public, and the government.

1989

A report by the CD Committee on Public Education (COPE) calls attention to critical problems in DCPS, including declining achievement levels as students moved through grades; the poor condition of school facilities; and lack of accountability among school and related agencies. The report makes several recommendations for public school reform, including the need to expand and upgrade the quality and quantity of early childhood programs. In response nearly 500 pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classrooms across the city are refurbished.

1990

A coalition of business, government and community organizations forms the DC Early Childhood Collaborative. The Collaborative pools public and private sector resources to improve the well-being of DC children and families. In 1993, the Collaborative establishes the Frederick Douglass Early Childhood Development and Family Support Center. The Center is later turned over to DCPS to operate.