We are excited to share that Early Ed Month 2025 was an enormous success. Over 500 parents, advocates, business leaders, and elected officials across the state participated in 12 events throughout the month. Scroll down for a recap below! 

 

Early Ed Month 2025 would not be possible without our sponsors! A heartfelt thank you to Entergy for being the title sponsor and to Our Lady of the Lake, Jones Walker LLP, Agenda for Children, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, Clara's Little Lambs, Committee of 100 for Economic Development, For Providers by Providers, Gambel Communications, Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company, Louisiana Public Health Institute, ResourceFull Consulting, Save the Children Action Network, United Way of Southeast Louisiana, Urban League of Louisiana, Young Scholar's Academy, and YWCA Greater Baton Rouge. 

 

We also want to thank the Louisiana Early Childhood Business Roundtable, Louisiana Association of Business & Industry, Louisiana Association of United Ways, United Way of Southeast Louisiana, Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana, Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, Capital Area United Way, St. Landry-Evangeline United Way, United Way of Northwest Louisiana, and United Way of Central Louisiana, for co-hosting regional tours of child care centers across the state. These regional tours brought further awareness to elected officials and business leaders of ways families and child care providers are disproportionately impacted across regions and parishes. 

 

Also in February, Governor Jeff Landry released his proposed executive budget, where he maintained the state’s investment in the Child Care Assistance Program. Thank you, Gov. Landry, for supporting our youngest learners and their working parents.

 

With the 2025 legislative session just around the corner, we couldn’t be more grateful that early childhood education was highlighted so well in February. Thank you for advocating on behalf of young children and families in Louisiana!

 

We Need Your Engagement

We need your voice! Recent proposals at the federal level could negatively impact child care, putting children, families, and our economy at risk. These proposals include eliminating the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC), reducing or even eliminating funding for child care and early learning programs through a federal funding freeze, and cutting annual federal support for critical programs like the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG).

 

Congress has an opportunity to make things better for children and families. Your voice can make a difference in ensuring families access affordable, high-quality early childhood education. Click here to send a message to your members of Congress.

 

News You Can Snack On

1. Dr. Libbie Sonnier highlights the critical need for access to high-quality childcare

This month, leaders around the Bayou state are highlighting the critical need for increased access to and investment in high-quality child care for its youngest citizens, children from birth to age 4. Click here to read the full article.

 

1. Impacts of early childhood development discussed at educational event

Local leaders gathered at the SEED Center in Lake Charles earlier this month to discuss the impacts and development of early childhood education. After presentations, guests toured an early learning center, seeing firsthand how quality education shapes young minds and supports working families. Click here to read the full article.

 

1. Early Education Month celebrated in Opelousas

Early Education Month is being celebrated across Louisiana! Leaders and advocates came together to highlight the importance of quality early learning and the need for continued investment in our youngest learners. Strong early education programs help children thrive and support working families. Click here to read the full article. 

 

1. Celebrating The Fourth Annual Louisiana Early Education Month

Early Ed Month 2025 is a statewide initiative to highlight the urgent need for increased investment in high-quality early childhood education. Events throughout the month aim to inform policymakers, business leaders, parents, and advocates about the critical role early education plays in strengthening Louisiana’s workforce, economy, and future. Click here to read the full article.

 

1. February Is Early Ed Month

Robust investments in high-quality early childhood education support a strong workforce and economy. Investing in high-quality early childhood education is important to support long-term academic and personal success, including increased likelihood of on-grade-level reading, increased employment and earnings, and decreased likelihood of criminal activity. Click here to read the full article.