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Few would dispute the value of early learning programs. Research consistently shows that dollars invested before children enter public school at age five deliver the highest return. For example, the National Forum on Early Childhood Policy and Programs finds that high-quality early childhood programs can yield a $4鈥�$9 return for every $1 invested.

Given these benefits, many school systems and their communities are exploring how to expand early learning opportunities. In my 21 years as a Maine Superintendent, I鈥檝e watched partnerships like these flourish鈥攁nd I鈥檝e seen them falter. Done well, they strengthen learning for all children; done poorly, they can set progress back.

What separates success from failure? Three key components stand out:

1. Clarity of Purpose: A Shared 鈥淲hy鈥�

Begin with a clear understanding of why you are creating early learning opportunities. Is it to address a shortage of high-quality programs for local families? To make use of underutilized school space? To learn from early childhood experts about the power of play or outdoor exploration?

A well-defined purpose drives a shared vision and sets expectations. It keeps partners focused and aligned as they work toward common goals. The reasons for collaboration will vary from community to community鈥攚hat matters is that you name yours and keep it front and center.

2. True Partnerships

A genuine partnership benefits everyone. Public schools have much to learn from early childhood educators, just as early learning programs can gain from the resources and structures of public schools.

Too often, schools enter these conversations assuming they are the experts in every aspect of teaching and learning. Yet expertise in K鈥�12 education does not automatically translate to expertise in birth-to-four development. Learning in toddlers and preschoolers is fundamentally different from learning in kindergartners or middle schoolers.

Approach the relationship with humility and curiosity. When both sides recognize each other鈥檚 expertise and learn from one another, the partnership grows stronger鈥攁nd children reap the rewards.

3. Structures to Sustain the Vision

Strong partnerships, like living organisms, have life cycles. They often start with energy and excitement but can stagnate without care and intentional renewal.

Build in structures that keep your shared vision vibrant. Joint professional development, regular communication, and collaborative strategic-planning sessions help ensure that early learning initiatives continue to evolve and improve.

Continuous learning isn鈥檛 just for children or adults鈥攜our partnership must keep learning too.

One Community鈥檚 Example

In Gorham, ME, before taking action, we first gathered our early learning community to understand current conditions: what was working, what wasn鈥檛, and how we could collectively improve our systems for children.

For a full year, we studied the local early learning landscape. Then, over another year of strategic planning, we worked with partners from across the community鈥攑ublic schools, elected town officials, family child-care programs, child-care centers, pre-K providers, our recreation department, and local businesses. The process culminated in a report we affectionately titled .

From this effort came a broad strategic plan and early action steps to expand services for children most in need of early special services. We did create public pre-K programs鈥攂ut with a deliberate focus on strengthening services for families rather than competing with existing providers.

Today, Gorham鈥檚 public pre-K programs serve 126 children. We share enrollment processes, offer joint professional development, and hold monthly communities-of-practice meetings. Most importantly, we now meet 100% of the early special-needs services required in our community鈥攗p from roughly 60% before these partnerships were established.

Moving Forward

Early learning partnerships hold tremendous promise for our communities and our youngest learners. By grounding the work in a clear purpose, embracing authentic collaboration, and establishing systems to sustain growth, public schools and early childhood providers can create opportunities that last well beyond the preschool years.

When we invest wisely and work together, we do more than prepare children for kindergarten鈥攚e strengthen their entire educational journey and lay a foundation for lifelong success.