Early childhood is a critical time of physical, intellectual and social–emotional development for children. Yet, early childhood care and education are often under-resourced. We leverage our deep understanding of interventions, learning and behavior, and complex, interconnected systems to strengthen the early childhood workforce and improve early childhood settings and systems.
We studied the economic impacts of early care and education in Colorado, finding that although the sector is a key driver for the state’s economy, the cost of care is prohibitive for many families and workforce wages don’t promote self-sufficiency. The report has informed policy responses in the state.
We evaluated the effectiveness of the Denver Preschool Program, which works to increase access to high-quality early education in Denver. We explored how services were implemented, family and provider perceptions of the program’s effectiveness, knowledge and behavior changes resulting from the program, and the impact of the program on family access and provider quality. Results have been used to guide program improvements and enhancements.
Introducing Kayleigh Roach, Research Associate at Butler Institute for Families. Kayleigh sheds light on her journey to early childhood work at Butler, delving into current projects she is passionate about and highlighting how Butler initiatives are instrumental in supporting educators and addressing their challenges.
Meet Jessica Francis, the Senior Research Manager at the Butler Institute for Families, guiding the Early Childhood team. Discover Jessica's extensive background and her role in leading projects that focus on the workforce and contribute to informed decision-making for future workforce development initiatives.
Suzanne Delap, senior research associate II, and principal investigator and co-investigator for Indigenous initiatives and early childhood projects, shares her experiences within tribal child welfare and the path that lead her to her involvement in the work we do here at Butler Institute for Families.
