Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education Position Statement

All children have the right to equitable learning opportunities that help them achieve their full potential as engaged learners and valued members of society. Thus, all early childhood educators have a professional obligation to advance equity. They can do this best when they are effectively supported by the early learning settings in which they work and when they and their wider communities embrace diversity and full inclusion as strengths, uphold fundamental principles of fairness and justice, and work to eliminate structural inequities that limit equitable learning opportunities.

Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education

Purpose

Position

Recommendations for Everyone

Recommendations for Early Childhood Educators

Recommendations for Administrators of Schools, Centers, Family Child Care Homes, and Other Early Childhood Education Settings

Recommendations for those Facilitating Educator Preparation and Professional Development

Recommendations for Public Policymakers

The Evidence for this Position Statement

Principles of Child Development and Learning

The Social-Cultural Context of Child Development and Learning

Conclusion and Acknowledgements

Definitions of Key Terms

Endnotes

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Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education: A Position Statement of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Copyright © 2019 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. All rights reserved