Thank you for visiting the ECE Toolkit website. We look forward to a post-COVID-19 time when the detailed Early Care and Education resources on this website will be useful for the diverse employers and employees in Montgomery County.

In the meantime, if you are caring for young children at home during this crisis, we invite you to take a look at More Resources for Parents and Caregivers. In addition, parents who are essential employees can visit the Maryland Department of Education and the Division of Early Childhood for information on qualifying child care programs for essential employees.

A stronger, more equitable Early Care and Education system in our county is critical in supporting the workforce of today and educating the workforce of tomorrow. Montgomery Moving Forward will continue to work towards this system to support our children, families, and employers during this crisis and beyond.

Welcome to the ECE Toolkit

The Early Care and Education Toolkit is a resource for employers in Montgomery County, Maryland. This Toolkit brings together key information and resources on how you can do more to support working parents with young children.

The ECE Toolkit was developed by a team of local employers and child care experts. Our goal is to make it easy for employers of all sizes to find answers and get inspired.

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Why do we call it “ECE”?

Early Care and Education (ECE) is how many child-development experts talk about child care from birth to age 5. They do so because the first five years are critical for brain development. What happens during these formative years lays the foundation for a child’s future success in school and in life. ECE emphasizes the fact that young children are always learning. All early care is also early education, so the quality of care should be a top concern for parents and employers.

Why do we call it “ECE”?

Early Care and Education (ECE) is how many child-development experts talk about child care from birth to age 5. They do so because the first five years are critical for brain development. What happens during these formative years lays the foundation for a child’s future success in school and in life. ECE emphasizes the fact that young children are always learning. All early care is also early education, so the quality of care should be a top concern for parents and employers.

Tricia Swanson, VP of Government Relations at the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, on the ECE Toolkit as a resource for both employers and employees.

$2.41 billion

Annual cost to Maryland employers from absence and turnover due to child care issues experienced by working parents with children age 5 and under.

How much are issues related to ECE costing your business?

See the business casE

Resources for Working Parents

Working parents with young children need accurate information on how to find affordable, high-quality child care and how to pay for it. This section of the ECE Toolkit offers answers, guidance, and links to resources that can provide additional assistance.

How to Find High-Quality Child Care

Programs and Tax Credits to Help Pay for Child Care

More Resources for Parents and Caretakers

Tools & Strategies for Employers

As an employer, there are many steps you can take to be more responsive to the challenges faced by employees with young children. This section of the ECE Toolkit brings together information, resources, and best practices that can help you create an ECE-friendly workplace – including many no-cost and low-cost ideas.

5 Ways to Take Action in 5 Minutes

Simple Steps Every Employer Can Take

Employee Benefits for Working Parents

Why ECE is Smart Business

Being an employer who cares about ECE can help you attract and retain employees, as well as reduce the day-to-day costs associated with child care challenges. Making ECE a priority – in your workplace and your community – is also a powerful way to invest in the workforce of tomorrow.

The ECE Business Case

Boost Your Competitive Edge

Champion ECE in Your Community

Tricia Swanson, VP of Government Relations at the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, on the value of the ECE Toolkit as a resource for both employers and employees.

Featured Case Studies

Supporting Work-Life Balance for Working Parents

Chevo Consulting, LLC, in Rockville, Maryland, prides itself on providing a supportive, family-friendly culture. As part of its benefits package, this management consulting firm offers a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

EAP Helps Parents Find Affordable, Reliable, High-Quality Child Care

LifeWork Strategies, a department of Adventist HealthCare located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, supports parents in finding Early Care and Education options as part of its comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Scheduling Flexibility Aids Recruitment and Increases Loyalty

Clear Impact, a performance management company located in Rockville, Maryland, offers scheduling flexibility for its 16 employees, allowing staff to manage their own schedules and work from home when necessary.

MORE EXAMPLES OF ECE AT WORK

Are you a working parent with young children?

How to promote ECE in your workplace