Philadelphia’s Early Learning Community Speaks Out: An Action Plan for Quality Improvement

Capitalizing on the strong commitment of public and private funding for a multitude of initiatives to improve early care and education programs in Philadelphia, this report explores opportunities to further develop and improve supports. The early childhood education community in Philadelphia shares a commitment to a vibrant, equitable early learning system in which family, group, and center programs work hand in glove with the families and communities they serve. Excited about further reforms for quality improvement services, during this project they generously shared their experiences, insights, and ideas for the future.

The BUILD Initiative assembled a team with considerable experience in Philadelphia, including individuals with longstanding ties to Philadelphia, center directors, a family child care owner/operator, and individuals with extensive policy and management experience at the local and state level. Additional team expertise came from a well-established early care and education researcher and an individual with considerable foundation grantmaking experience in this area. To develop recommendations to help strengthen quality improvement in Philadelphia, the team worked closely with three key sets of stakeholders—early learning providers, organizations that deliver quality improvement services, and public and private funders of these services. This highly interactive process ensured that those affected by the recommendations played a key role in shaping them.

Quality improvement initiatives were identified by the two foundation funders as well as the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning and the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Children and Families. Interviews, focus groups, and surveys were used to gather information. Briefing and input sessions with stakeholders were organized to review what was learned, gather reactions and additional ideas, and discuss options for the future. 

Through this project, the authors learned that the Philadelphia early learning community has many strengths, including a group of creative and resourceful quality improvement organizations, public and private funders committed to making investments that make a difference, and a cadre of caring providers who are driven by their passion and commitment to the well-being of young children and their families. And, most importantly, found a community that is open to listening to each other and working together to build on existing strengths to continue to improve the quality of programs and services supporting children and families.

Based on input from more than 300 early childhood providers, 16 quality improvement organizations, and four public and private funders, the report offers 17 recommendations for quality improvement.