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Impact Areas

Systems & Governance

Our systems and governance research provides insights into the complex ecosystem of early childhood education so experts and practitioners can develop effective strategies and interventions that address the needs of children and families.

Our research informs policy development on governance and system reform in early childhood education. It provides evidence of the effectiveness and impact of existing policies, highlighting areas that need improvement or adjustment. Policymakers use our research findings to design and implement policies that support equitable access, quality standards, workforce development, family engagement, and overall system improvements. Furthermore, our research provides evidence on the most efficient and effective ways to invest resources to achieve desired outcomes allowing policymakers and administrators to make informed decisions about funding priorities, program investments, and resource distribution to maximize the impact of available resources. Our research has been utilized to examine governance mechanisms that support quality assurance, licensing, and accreditation processes, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and professional development opportunities for educators.  

Featured Research

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Learning & Development

Effective State Offices of Early Learning

Systems & Governance

State Prekindergarten Effects on Early Learning at Kindergarten Entry

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Systems & Governance

Including Family Child Care (FCC) Programs in Publicly-Funded PreK

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Systems & Governance

State Preschool in a Mixed Delivery System

In home daycare
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Access Our Research Library

The National Institute for Early Education Research's comprehensive research library serves as a valuable resource for educators, policymakers, researchers, and anyone interested in the field of early childhood education. The library is a repository of research reports, policy briefs, academic papers, and other publications related to early childhood education. Many of the resources in the NIEER Research Library are made available for free as downloadable PDFs or accessible through links.

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Learn More About Our Work

    Policy Landscapes

    NIEER's policy landscapes offer insights into early childhood education policies, enrollment, and nationwide funding. Advocates, policy-makers, and researchers rely on them to improve the quality and accessibility of early childhood education. 

    Research & Program Evaluation

    We evaluate nationwide early childhood programs, rigorously assessing impact. Data-driven evaluations span years, revealing strengths and weaknesses for targeted improvements. 

    NIEER Development Tools

    NIEER has created numerous proprietary research tools that include assessments, surveys, cost calculators, and evaluations, used by researchers and educators to gather data, analyze information, and evaluate the effectiveness of early childhood education programs. 

    International Journal of Childcare and Education Policy

    The International Journal of Childcare and Education Policy (IJCEP) is a scholarly, peer-reviewed journal focusing on childcare and education policy research for young children. 

    Technical Assistance

    NIEER provides technical assistance to state advocates on improving the quality of early care and education programs and understanding the costs associated with high-quality programs. NIEER is producing a series of Guides to PreK Expansion and other resources to support state and national advocates in their efforts to ensure all children have access to high-quality early care and education.

    Partnership with New Jersey

    New Jersey has a rich history of supporting early learning, evidenced by the state's Supreme Court decisions, legal regulations, financial investments, and committed state leadership. However, a pivotal turning point came with a landmark legal decision that sparked significant changes and laid the groundwork for progress over the last two decades.