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From infant care and preschool to the early elementary years, early childhood education helps children build the skills they need to learn, grow and thrive. These early experiences lay the foundation for language, social-emotional development, problem-solving and a lifelong love of learning, both in and outside of the classroom.

What is Early Childhood Education?

You’ve probably heard terms like early childhood education, early learning, preschool and daycare used interchangeably. While they’re closely related, they don’t all mean the same thing.

Early childhood education, or ECE, refers to the care and education of young children in a structured learning environment led by early childhood professionals. Preschool, مونتيسوري, daycare and kindergarten are all forms of early childhood education, but they may differ in their focus, schedules, age of children and services. Although many families associate early childhood education with infants, toddlers and preschoolers, it actually spans from birth through age 8, supporting development during some of a child’s most important years.

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The first five years of your child’s life are a time of incredible growth and learning. By age 5, about 90% of the brain has developed, with millions of neural connections forming every second. According to First Things First, everyday moments, like reading together, playing, talking and exploring the world help strengthen these connections and lay the groundwork for lifelong learning, healthy development and future success.

Early childhood education builds on these everyday experiences by providing children with opportunities to learn, play and grow in a supportive environment. Through hands-on exploration and meaningful interactions, children develop early math, language, literacy and problem-solving skills while also learning how to build friendships, express their emotions and approach new experiences with confidence.

The benefits extend well beyond the early years. Research shows that children who participate in preschool or another early childhood education setting are more prepared for kindergarten and are more likely to graduate from high school and pursue higher education.

Find the Right Early Childhood Program and Save with DPP

Choosing the right early childhood education program is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your child, and it doesn’t have to mean stretching your family budget. Denver Preschool Program partners with more than 260 quality preschool providers across Denver, giving families the flexibility to choose the learning environment that’s the best fit for their child while saving money on monthly preschool tuition.

DPP tuition support makes a meaningful difference for families both financially and emotionally. In fact, 85% of families who receive DPP tuition support report reduced financial strain and many also say the savings help ease stress while giving their child access to a quality early childhood experience.

Applying for DPP tuition support is simple and available year-round. Explore participating preschools, learn more about your tuition support options and discover how DPP can help your child get the best possible start to a lifelong love of learning. 

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