The Early Childhood Network (ECN) is a community-led enterprise that began in Spring, 1999. We came together to focus on infants and children from birth to age five and to test a new model of support for providers. The unique elements of this "local network" model include creating opportunities for networking among early childhood workers from a broad spectrum of programs; focusing on a manageable geographic area with strong neighborhood identity; close linkage to the local elected officials, professional facilitation and staffing that responds to the concerns of the participants, and contributions from local organizations and institutions such as universities.

The ECN is composed of providers and early childhood experts in Rogers Park and Edgewater. Participants represent a broad spectrum of providers: licensed and license-exempt day care homes, centers and Head Start programs, university-based programs and private preschools plus providers of support services to young children. The needs of in-home caregivers and full-time parents also are considered.

The mission of the group is to:

1. Improve the quality of early childhood programs operating in our neighborhoods. 2. Strengthen coordination between local early childhood programs 3. Expand the availability or supply of services for zero to five-year-olds. 4. Improve working conditions for early childhood teachers and caregivers.

It must be acknowledged that the early childhood field is dominated by female workers. We hope to improve conditions for women operating small businesses (day care homes), employed in child care centers or filling other care giving roles for small children.