Research & Insights
Early Care and Education Stakeholder Engagement Report
Fall 2025 Early Childhood Landscape Analysis The state’s ECCE system is best...
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The Center for Early Learning Solutions
We partner with early childhood leaders and providers across Arkansas to pilot and advance solutions that strengthen the systems that make affordable, high-quality learning experiences possible.
Building a Stronger Early Childhood System
According to the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, high-quality early childhood experiences are a strong predictor of future learning, behavior, and lifelong health. Yet, many Arkansas families today face significant barriers to accessing these opportunities.
To better understand our state’s challenges, Forward conducted a comprehensive analysis of the early childhood care and education landscape. The findings revealed urgent needs for both families and providers, as well as opportunities to strengthen the sector through shared services, strategic partnerships, modernized data systems, and improved management tools.
By piloting and scaling promising practices with support from our partners, the Center for Early Learning Solutions (CELS) is helping build a more accessible, connected, and sustainable early childhood system for Arkansas families and providers.
Arkansas's Early Childhood Landscape
Solving Collective Problems
In the fall of 2025, Forward conducted a comprehensive analysis to identify strengths and areas for improvement within the early childhood sector, engaging more than 1,000 families, 70 providers, and 25 Local Leads from across the state.
50 of 75
Arkansas counties have at least 40% fewer licensed child care seats than children under age five
~2,500
children are on the School Readiness Assistance waitlist
63%
of parents said child care costs create financial challenges, even with assistance
$13.27/hour
average child care worker wage, compared with $25.52 across other occupations
Driving Innovation to Advance Best Practices
Through communities of practice and pilot opportunities, we’re helping identify and scale practical solutions that support providers and families.
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