Educare

Educare is a national network of early childhood schools and partners in the United States that connects research, policy, and practice to expand access to high-quality early learning. According to its official materials, the network comprises 25 member schools and key partners across the country, operating as centers of excellence where children flourish, families lead, and communities work together to transform early childhood systems. The network's stated purpose is to ensure every child has access to high-quality early education, and it pursues this by investing in the professionals who nurture young learners, aligning policy with proven research, and using data to drive quality. The Educare Network describes itself as building the capacity of educators, equipping leaders with tools and insight, and elevating the voices of families and communities. Its schools are positioned as demonstration sites and hubs of innovation, and the network shares stories, insights, and policy approaches through its website and national convenings. In May 2026, the network convened national leaders to reimagine the future of early childhood education, reflecting its role as a convener and advocate in the field. Leadership of the network is provided by a president and a board of directors drawn from the early childhood field. Dr. Kara H. Ahmed was appointed President of the Educare Network in 2024, bringing more than 20 years of experience in early childhood systems change. The board includes figures such as Jessie Rasmussen, President of the Buffett Early Childhood Fund, indicating close ties to major early childhood philanthropy. The network's public identity emphasizes a simple thesis: high-quality early learning elevates society as a whole. Educare operates as a nonprofit-style network rather than a conventional consumer brand, but it functions as a trademarked, mission-driven brand in the early education sector. Its member schools carry the Educare name, and the network's communications, research, and policy work are branded under the Educare Network identity. The organization's website is educarenationalnetwork.org, and it maintains a separate presence for individual schools such as Educare DC and Educare West DuPage.

Educare is a national network of early childhood schools and partners in the United States. Its public materials describe a network of 25 member schools and key partners across the country, operating as centers of excellence where children flourish, families lead, and communities unite to shape systems that ensure every child has access to high-quality early education. The network's approach connects research, policy, and practice, and it emphasizes investing in the professionals who nurture young learners, aligning policy with proven research, and using data to drive quality. The network builds the capacity of educators, equips leaders with tools and insight, and elevates the voices of families and communities. Through collaboration and shared learning, the Educare Network positions itself as proof that high-quality early learning elevates society. Its schools serve as demonstration sites and innovation hubs, and the network shares stories and insights through its website and national convenings. In 2024, Dr. Kara H. Ahmed was appointed President of the Educare Network, leading it into its next chapter and strengthening the connection between research, policy, and practice. Dr. Ahmed is described as a nationally recognized leader with more than 20 years of experience advancing transformative early childhood systems change across diverse communities. The network's board of directors includes Jessie Rasmussen, President of the Buffett Early Childhood Fund, who has led that fund for more than 15 years, first as Vice President and since 2011 as President. This board composition reflects the network's close ties to major early childhood philanthropy. In May 2026, the Educare Network convened national leaders to reimagine the future of early childhood education, underscoring its role as a convener and advocate. The network continues to publish stories and insights on leadership, learning, and policy, including pieces on achieving excellence for all children, influencing policy, and investing in leaders network-wide. Individual member schools such as Educare DC and Educare West DuPage maintain their own presences under the Educare name.

• 2024

  Dr. Kara H. Ahmed is appointed President of the Educare Network.

• 2011

  Jessie Rasmussen becomes President of the Buffett Early Childhood Fund, a key philanthropic partner represented on the Educare Network board.

• Educare Network convenes national leaders to reimagine the future of early childhood education.

A national network of early childhood schools and partners positioned as centers of excellence, connecting research, policy, and practice to advance high-quality early learning for every child.

• Educare schools (member network)

  A network of 25 member schools across the United States serving as centers of excellence for early learning.

• Research, policy, and practice initiatives

  Work connecting research to policy and classroom practice, including data-driven quality improvement.

• Professional development and leadership capacity building

  Efforts to build the capacity of educators and equip leaders with tools and insight.

1. 1Educare Network | Advancing Excellence for Every Childeducarenationalnetwork.org
2. 2Who We Are | Educare Networkeducarenationalnetwork.org