Launching the Center for Early Learning Solutions

Forward Arkansas has announced the launch of the Center for Early Learning Solutions, a new initiative focused on strengthening access to high-quality, sustainable early childhood care and education. Informed by an extensive landscape analysis, the Center will identify, implement and scale practical solutions to support Arkansas providers and families.

“Forward has long been a trusted connector between state agencies, communities and philanthropy in the education field,” said Jamie Rayford, the Center’s executive director. “Through a coordinated, data-driven approach, the Center for Early Learning Solutions will address operational challenges and elevate proven best practices to support providers and expand families’ access to quality care.”

In the summer of 2025, with support from the Walton Family Foundation, Forward began building a strategic plan to enhance operational excellence and drive system innovation across the early childhood education sector. In partnership with All Children Thrive, Forward assessed access, affordability, quality and workforce conditions to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement. The analysis identified persistent barriers for Arkansas providers, including fragmented support, as well as opportunities to promote shared services, streamline administrative tasks, modernize communication and data systems, better align policies and funding streams, strengthen classroom quality and foster local partnerships.

With an additional grant award from the New Venture Fund Early Childhood Governing and Financing Project, the Center will begin its work with a statewide fiscal analysis and regional demonstration initiative. Alongside the Office for Early Childhood at the Arkansas Department of Education and other key stakeholders, the Center will identify local funding opportunities, assess incentives and barriers to investment to inform a more sustainable financing approach.