Early Childhood Education Advocacy in Pennsylvania
First Up aims to create a path to help children and their teachers reach their full potential. Our ceaseless advocacy efforts help to increase awareness and funding in both the public and private sectors. There are a number of ways you can join this important work.
Child care and early learning businesses are facing insurmountable challenges across the state in accessing and retaining insurance that meets their needs and price points. These businesses are finding their policies cancelled, or forced to renew at an increased rate, often with reduced coverage. Download the flyer below and see what actions you can take to compat this issue.
GET INVOLVED WITH OUR ADVOCACY PARTNERS
Sign up for the Pre-K for PA campaign to support pre-kindergarten care and education
Start Strong PA.
Sign up for the Start Strong PA campaign to support infant and toddler care and education
Thriving PA.
Thriving PA is a non-partisan statewide campaign with the goal of ensuring each mother and child in PA has the opportunity for affordable, quality health care access.
Resources
ECE Fellowships train participants in advocacy skills, offering both English and Spanish speakers the ability to unlock their full leadership potential and ignite change, and immersing them in a powerful learning experience where they dive into the foundational pillars of leadership and advocacy within the early childhood education landscape.
Capitol Days
In concert with other members of the Early Learning PA coalition, First Up regularly travels to Harrisburg to meet with legislators and conduct public visibility events, including rallies in the Capitol rotunda.
Families Have Voices, Too
Families Have Voices, Too is building a community of parents who support each other and work together toward common goals, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual aid. The organization brings people together to engage in advocacy, encouraging policymakers to create and implement laws and regulations that benefit Family Child Care Programs. It also educates the public about the importance of early childhood education and the specific role of Family Child Care Programs.
ECE Latinos Roundtable
Get the opportunity to connect with other childcare providers in Pennsylvania whose preferred language is Spanish. This is an open-format meeting in which the participants in the discussion introduce the topic of conversation. Expert advocates will be present to help you understand state budget implementations and needs, as well as representatives from different government and provider support organizations to answer any of your questions. This meeting is conducted in Spanish. Monthly Meetings take place every 3rd Thursday of the month at 1:00 PM!
Advocating for Early Childhood Education Across Pennsylvania
First Up advocates for policies, funding, and public awareness that strengthen early childhood education throughout Philadelphia, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and across the Commonwealth. Our advocacy work supports young children by elevating the needs and experiences of early childhood educators, child care providers, families, and the communities they serve.
Issues affecting early learning are closely connected to the strength of Pennsylvania’s child care system and early childhood workforce. First Up helps bring attention to challenges involving access to care, program sustainability, educator support, Pre-K, infant and toddler care, and other issues that shape the quality and availability of early childhood education.
Giving Early Educators, Child Care Providers and Families a Voice
Effective early childhood advocacy depends on the people closest to the work. First Up creates opportunities for educators, program leaders, home-based child care providers, parents, and caregivers to share their experiences and build the skills needed to participate in advocacy.
The ECE Fellowships help participants develop leadership and advocacy skills while building a deeper understanding of issues affecting early childhood education. First Up also organizes Capitol Days, giving early childhood professionals and supporters opportunities to engage with Pennsylvania legislators and raise awareness of issues facing the field.
Families and home-based providers can also participate through Families Have Voices, Too, which brings parents together to advocate for policies and regulations that support Family Child Care Programs.
Ways to Get Involved in Early Childhood Advocacy
First Up offers several ways for early childhood professionals, families, and community members to participate in advocacy throughout Pennsylvania.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Early Childhood Coalition (SEPECC) brings together child care centers, Family Child Care Programs, training agencies, advocacy groups, funders, and other organizations working to strengthen early care and education. The coalition helps coordinate advocacy efforts and increase public support for high-quality early childhood services across Southeastern Pennsylvania.
First Up also works alongside statewide advocacy campaigns, including Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA, which focus on strengthening pre-kindergarten and infant and toddler care and education. Additional civic engagement opportunities, advocacy resources, and voting workshops help educators and families stay informed and participate in issues affecting early childhood education.
Visit the First Up Events Calendar to find upcoming advocacy events, Capitol Days, coalition meetings, and other opportunities to get involved.
Through coalition building, leadership development, public education, and direct engagement with policymakers, First Up works to strengthen early childhood education advocacy and help ensure that the voices of educators, providers, and families are represented across Pennsylvania.
Southeastern Pennsylvania Early Childhood Coalition (SEPECC)
SEPECC serves as an umbrella of organizations supporting the mission of providing high-quality early childhood services to families. It represents child care centers, Family Child Care Programs, advocacy groups, training agencies, early care support agencies and funders who share the goal of coordinating and increasing public support for early care and education. Volunteers from the early childhood community, with organizational support from First Up, provide leadership for the Coalition. REGISTER HERE
Meeting Dates
November 17, 2026
December 15, 2026
January 26, 2027
February 23, 2027
April 27, 2027
May 25, 2027
June 22, 2027
Discover what we’re doing! Click for a recording of our latest meetings or to see meeting slides.
October 27, 2026
September 29, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions About Early Childhood Education Advocacy
What Is Early Childhood Education Advocacy?
Early childhood education advocacy involves raising awareness and engaging communities around issues that affect child care, Pre-K, early learning programs, educators, and families. First Up supports early childhood education advocacy throughout Pennsylvania by helping educators, providers, families, and community members understand issues affecting the field and find ways to get involved.
How Can Early Childhood Educators Get Involved in Advocacy?
Early childhood educators can participate in advocacy events, connect with other professionals, communicate with policymakers, and develop their leadership skills. First Up’s ECE Fellowships provide a more in-depth opportunity for emerging leaders to develop advocacy skills and participate in local and statewide early childhood education discussions.
What Are First Up’s Capitol Days?
Capitol Days give early childhood educators, providers, families, and supporters opportunities to travel to Harrisburg and engage with Pennsylvania legislators about issues affecting early childhood education and child care. Visit the First Up Events Calendar to find upcoming Capitol Days and other advocacy events.
How Can Families Participate in Child Care Advocacy?
First Up helps parents and caregivers participate in conversations about child care affordability, accessibility, program sustainability, and support for early educators. Families Have Voices, Too creates opportunities for parents to build community and advocate for policies that support Family Child Care Programs. Learn more through First Up’s Home-Based Child Care Services.
Does First Up Offer Resources for Early Childhood Advocates?
Yes. First Up provides advocacy toolkits, voter resources, information about contacting legislators, state early childhood campaigns, organizing resources, and child care and Pre-K advocacy materials. Visit First Up’s Advocacy Resources to explore these tools.
What Is the Southeastern Pennsylvania Early Childhood Coalition?
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Early Childhood Coalition, or SEPECC, brings together child care centers, Family Child Care Programs, advocacy organizations, training agencies, early care support organizations, funders, and other partners working to strengthen early childhood education across Southeastern Pennsylvania. Meetings provide opportunities to learn about current issues, share information, and coordinate advocacy efforts. Upcoming SEPECC meetings can be found on the First Up Events Calendar.
Does First Up Offer Voting and Civic Engagement Resources for Educators and Families?
Yes. First Up offers voting resources and civic engagement opportunities designed for early childhood educators and families, including Empowering Early Educators and Families to Vote sessions. These workshops help participants understand available voting resources and ways to encourage civic engagement within their communities. Check the First Up Events Calendar for upcoming advocacy workshops and events.