Early Embrace
Early Embrace is a policy and workforce strategy to expand subsidy-eligible early learning by modernizing pathways for home-based childcare providers—removing requirements that function as wealth tests while maintaining safety and quality.
What Early Embrace is…
Early Embrace began as a direct-service workforce model to recruit and train home-based providers. It is now in a policy-focused transition because scaling subsidy-eligible supply is constrained by licensure access—especially in low-income urban neighborhoods and rural communities where housing conditions and property control can limit what providers are able to change.
Our goal is access without lowering safety or quality—so Early Embrace can return to statewide expansion through recruitment and training.
Who Early Embrace serves…
Caregivers (early childhood educators and parents) who want to start or strengthen a home-based early learning program
New or emerging providers who need coaching in pedagogy, business operations, and licensure navigation
Priority communities: families with low incomes (approximately 200% of the federal poverty threshold or below, as defined in Early Embrace materials)
What support looks like…
Core coaching supports
Trauma healing coaching
Small business coaching
Educational coaching (early learning quality)
Childcare licensure coaching
Peer networking events
Resource sharing platform (templates, materials, best practices)
How providers enter the workforce model
Complete a 15-week readiness pathway (Early Bridge Builders)
Attend an interest meeting to review expectations and qualifications
Readiness screening and enrollment into cohort-based training
Cohort training is followed by a sustained provider network with ongoing coaching and learning support.