Who we are

The United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education’s (The Center) vision is that all children will have access to the highest quality early care and education, so they can have the best possible start in school and in life. The Center’s mission is to elevate the quality of early care and education in Miami-Dade and beyond. This mission is supported by three guiding principles: educate, demonstrate, advocate.

Educate

- The Center educates parents and early care professionals on how to become agents of change and improve early childhood education at home and in the classroom. By providing expert training and resources, created and delivered by leading experts in the field of early education, the Center addresses the educational and developmental needs of our most deserving citizens – our children. Beyond educating parents and early care professionals on best practices, the Center equips stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to understand and deliver high quality early care and education.

Demonstrate

- The Center demonstrates how to improve the quality of services and programs available to young children by serving as a model for observation and implementation of best practices. Additionally, it models a variety of cost options for those interested in revamping or building centers of high quality. All best practices modeled at the Center’s Demonstration School, Educare of Miami-Dade, are supported by research. The unique composition of the building allows for in-depth observation of those practices without interrupting the children’s learning process.

Advocate

- The best way to create a comprehensive and efficient early childhood system is to educate and mobilize the community to support and improve policies for young children. Effective, evidence-based early childhood policies, programs and services go a long way in supporting stronger families and communities. The Center empowers parents and educators to demand the highest quality care for all children, brings together leading child advocates, and works with business leaders and lawmakers to raise the standards of early childhood education and support sustainable and lasting change. The Center furthers the impact of its advocacy efforts by building strategic partnerships and a spirit of collaboration among those involved in early care and education.