Opportunity Gap refers to the fact that the arbitrary circumstances in which people are born — such as their race, ethnicity, ZIP code and socioeconomic status — determine their opportunities in life, rather than all people having the chance to achieve to the best of their potential. These factors contribute to or perpetuate lower educational aspirations, achievement and attainment for certain groups of students.
What Shapes Us
Our desire to close the opportunity gap and create more equitable early learning experiences for our youngest learners guides everything we do.
Our Core Values
Our core values lay the foundation for our identity and the way we do our work. They reflect our ongoing commitment to instilling a culture that makes Start Early a great place to work and supports our role as a catalyst for change.
Empowerment
Listen Well
Appreciation & Respect
Do What We Say We Will Do
Learning
Be Curious, Keep Learning
Communication
Collaborate to Deliver Our Mission
Diversity
Drive Change Together
Excellence
Focus on Results
Advancing Racial Equity
Applying a racial equity lens to our work is critical to ensuring we deliver on our mission and live out our core values. Through the leadership of our Advancing Racial Equity Taskforce, we are building awareness and advancing racial equity throughout our organization.
What We Do
Our comprehensive approach applies our deep expertise in program, policy and research so that children, families and educators can thrive.
Support Our Work
Together, when we start early, we can close the opportunity gap and ensure every child has a chance to reach their full potential.
Our Impact
Learn more about how we are supporting children, families and early childhood professionals as we improve the state of early learning in America.
