History

Wisconsin Early Learning Coalition

The Wisconsin Early Learning Coalition was formed in the spring of 2006 with a focus on improving early learning experiences for Wisconsin children under age 5. The Coalition now includes 14 organizations that represent the range of settings that children may participate in, including child care centers, family child care, 4-year-old kindergarten, and Head Start. The Coalition has a particular focus on children with disabilities or other special needs and on children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Coalition has become a respected voice on early care and education policy with policymakers.

Focus on Quality

The Coalition in 2006 decided to promote research-based quality characteristics of a high quality early care and education program:

• Highly qualified teachers: Teachers/providers of early care and education are highly qualified, with formal education, specific training, and experience necessary to ensure early learning preparing children for school
• Small class sizes and teacher-to-child ratios: Small group sizes and teacher-to-child ratios ensure sufficient individual attention to each child
• Parent involvement in their children's education: Since parents are their children's first and most important teacher, parents need to be fully engaged as partners in their children's education
• Program and curricula that help children succeed: Curricula and programs designed to promote healthy development and learning for all children, regardless of ability or special need
• Facilities that ensure children's health and safety: Learning environments designed to ensure health and safety and to protect children from harm

The Coalition has since expanded it's focus to include a focus on home visiting services as a way to strengthen families with newborns and very young children.

The intent is that high quality early learning experiences should be available to all Wisconsin preschool children, on a voluntary basis, regardless of what setting they are in.