The Louisiana Department of Education convened the Early Childhood Care and Education Advisory Council on July 18, 2025, to discuss key goals and initiatives aimed at enhancing early childhood education across the state. The meeting emphasized the importance of aligning early childhood programs with Louisiana's broader educational priorities, particularly in promoting kindergarten readiness and improving literacy and math instruction.

A significant focus of the meeting was on increasing the quality of early childhood education sites. The council aims to raise the percentage of early childhood sites rated as high proficient or excellent by five percentage points. Strategies to achieve this include providing targeted professional development for educators, expanding resources through the online platform EC Learn, and enhancing support for low-performing sites.

The council also highlighted the need for increased access to early childhood education, particularly for infants and toddlers. While progress has been made in serving economically disadvantaged four-year-olds, gaps remain for younger children. The Ready Start Networks are actively working to address these access issues by establishing local funding plans and engaging community stakeholders.

Quality measurement remains a priority, with over 14,000 classroom observations conducted to provide feedback and support to educators. The council reported that 95% of early childhood sites are rated proficient or higher, with a growing number achieving high proficiency. However, there is a continued emphasis on improving instructional support, particularly in literacy development.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to ongoing professional development and support for early childhood educators, including upcoming conferences aimed at fostering collaboration and sharing best practices. The council's efforts reflect a dedicated approach to enhancing early childhood education in Louisiana, ensuring that all children have access to quality learning experiences that support their development.