Newsletters

Milestones and Momentum: The Latest from The Collaborative

In this issue, you’ll find insights from Dr. Ola J. Friday, Executive Director of The Early Educator Investment Collaborative, key takeaways from our In Our Hands campaign, highlights from recent convenings, and examples of continued state-level momentum to advance compensation for early educators. Read on to see how this work is taking shape across the field.   Continued

Progress through Partnership

Last week, the Compensation Capacity-Building Community of Practice  (CoP) officially kicked off its 2026 convenings. Since its launch in 2023, this initiative has grown into a $11.4 million effort to help state and local teams build the infrastructure needed for sustained ECE wages and benefits. Led by the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment at UC… Continued

The Work Continues: Lessons from A Decade of Change

Last fall, The Collaborative commissioned reflection papers and hosted webinars exploring the past decade in the early childhood education workforce since the release of Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8: A Unifying Foundation and its companion piece, Transforming the Financing of Early Care and Education. In this email, hear directly from the leaders who shared… Continued

Reflecting on 2025: Gratitude and Highlights

The December newsletter highlights how The Collaborative closed the year and the conversations we helped move forward across the field. We share highlights from our time at Grantmakers for Education and BUILD25, our A Decade of Change paper and webinar series, and our In Our Hands Narrative Change Campaign webinar. Continued

Keeping the ECE Workforce Conversations Front and Center

The November newsletter highlights where The Collaborative will be in December and the conversations we’re contributing to across the field. This month, we focus on early childhood workforce preparation, support, and compensation. We’re also sharing updates on upcoming events and offering a preview of our first webinar in 2026. Continued

A Decade Later: Papers, Webinars, and Learning Sessions

The September newsletter shares upcoming reflection papers and a webinar series reviewing the decade since Transforming the Workforce and Transforming the Financing reports. The series and related sessions at the Grantmakers for Education Conference and BUILD25 will examine progress, ongoing challenges, and next steps for the early childhood education workforce. Continued

Narrative Power and Flexible Support for Leaders

The August newsletter features reflections from our Executive Director on wellness and resilience, updates from the Respite & Rapid Response Fund supporting grantee partners, key takeaways from the Compensation Capacity-Building Community of Practice, highlights from the In Our Hands Narrative Change Campaign, and new funding opportunities. Continued

Colorado Spotlight & Compensation Community of Practice Highlights

The June newsletter spotlights our grantee partners in Colorado, led by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, who are strengthening the early childhood workforce through community-driven strategies and strong partnerships. We also explore a new resource from our Compensation Community of Practice offering insights to support teams in Colorado and beyond. Continued

The Power of Storytelling + Find us at TEACH

Our April newsletter outlines our narrative change efforts in partnership with Community Change to highlight the impact of fair compensation on parents and providers. We also preview two sessions for the upcoming 2025 National ECE Workforce Convening. Continued

New ECE Compensation Community of Practice Launches

Our February newsletter highlights the launch of the Compensation Capacity-Building Community of Practice with CSCCE at UC Berkeley. Hear from grantees and partners on how teams will explore compensation strategies through peer learning, expert insights, and collaboration ahead of the February 27th kickoff. Continued

Discover Upcoming Initiatives and Revisiting December Webinar

The January newsletter highlights insights from the Transforming Lead Teacher Preparation Programs Through Multi-Partner Innovation Grant report: Moving Beyond the Pilot. This edition also spotlights the voices of grantee partners, who share their experiences and reflections in short interview clips. Continued

Beyond the Pilot Webinar & Grant Report Insights

The Collaborative is thrilled to continue showcasing the Transforming Early Educator Lead Teacher Preparation Programs Through Multi-Partner Innovation Grant report. The November newsletter spotlights grantee interviews and announces the upcoming Beyond the Pilot Webinar. Continued

Innovation Grant Report + Expert Advisory Committee

The October newsletter shares Transforming Early Educator Lead Teacher Preparation Programs Through Multi-Partner Innovation Grant report. It summarizes the grantee partnerships’ successes and lessons learned, along with insights into efforts to sustain the grants’ progress. The newsletter also showcases the members of the 2024-2025 Expert Advisory Committee. Continued

Executive Director Letter & Fund Report

The September newsletter presents the 2021-2024 Fund Cycle report, detailing the impact of collective efforts and the progress made toward advancing our mission. It also includes seasonal reflections from The Collaborative’s Executive Director, Dr. Ola J. Friday. Continued