Every family with young children needs support in order to thrive. Investments in early childhood have proven long-term benefits for children, their families, and society. Effective early childhood programs and family support initiatives provide a solid foundation for development and learning, help to prevent and reduce achievement gaps, and impact the likelihood of success for children throughout their life.
Factbook Indicators
The 2026 Rhode Island KIDS COUNT Factbook provides a statistical portrait of the status of Rhode Island’s children and youth.
By examining the best available data statewide and in Rhode Island’s 39 cities and towns, Rhode Island KIDS COUNT provides an information base that can result in more effective policy and community action on behalf of children and families.
EARLY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS
- Paid Family Leave
- Family Home Visiting
- Children Enrolled in Early Intervention
- Children Enrolled in Early Head Start
- Licensed Capacity of Early Learning Programs
- Children Receiving Child Care Subsidies
- High Quality Early Learning Programs
- Children Enrolled in Head Start or RI Pre-K
- Children Receiving Preschool Special Education Services
Publications
Our publications provide an in-depth analysis of current issues affecting Rhode Island children and families, incorporating the best available data, research, and best practices. Each publication includes specific recommendations for improvement.
- Family Home Visiting in RI: Financing, Staffing, and Access, 2025
- This publication was authored by Greg Fox with support from Rhode Island KIDS COUNT and Children’s Friend.
- Early Intervention Financing, Staffing, and Access in Rhode Island, 2021
- Funding Safe, Healthy, Quality Child Care, 2020
- Access to High-Quality, Publicly-Funded Preschool, 2020
- Building and Sustaining a High-Quality Family Child Care System in Rhode Island, 2020
- Construyendo y Manteniendo un Sistema de Cuidado Infantil Familiar de Alta Calidad en Rhode Island, 2020
RIght from the Start
RIght from the Start is a legislative and budget campaign led by eight organizations to advance state policies that help ensure all babies and young children get off to the right start in life, regardless of family income, race, ethnicity, immigration status, or zip code. Rhode Island KIDS COUNT coordinates the campaign and works in partnership with seven organizations on the steering committee: American Academy of Pediatrics, Rhode Island Chapter, Beautiful Beginnings, Economic Progress Institute, Parents Leading for Educational Equity, Rhode Island Association for Infant Mental Health, Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children, Rhode Island Head Start Association.
Parents of young children, early educators, and other organizations are involved as key advisors and champions. Please visit the RIght from the Start campaign and please see the FY2026 State Policy and Budget Priorities.
Advocacy
Monitor Legislation in the Rhode Island General Assembly.
Rhode Island Early Childhood System Reports
Reports by year
2023
2022
- EOHHS Proposal for FY23 budget – Early Intervention rate increases
- Family Visiting Legislative Report
- DHS Status Report on ECCE Capital Fund Impact and Distribution
- Report and Recommendations on RI Pre-K Expansion
- The Permanent Legislative Commission on Child Care in Rhode Island – 2022 Retreat Report
- RI Early Educator Post Secondary Career Pathways – Barriers and Proposed Solutions
- RI Child Care FORWARD Task Force Goals and Vision
- RI Child Care FORWARD Task Force Overarching Agreements
- RI Early Childhood IDEA Advocacy Infographics – English
- RI Early Childhood IDEA Advocacy Infographics – Spanish
2021
2020
- Building and Sustaining a High-Quality Family Child Care System in RI (English)
- Building and Sustaining a High-Quality Family Child Care System in RI (Spanish)
- Fact Sheet – Funding Safe, Healthy, Quality Child Care in RI
- Fact Sheet – Access to Quality Public Preschool in RI
- RI Early Learning Council Early Years-Early Grades Recommendations
- RI Early Learning Council Meeting Social Emotional Needs of Youngest Children Recommendations
- RI Family Home Visiting Needs Assessment
- RI Prenatal to 5 Early Childhood Care and Education Strategic Plan
- RI Prenatal to 5 Strategic Plan Exec Summary
- Strengthening Paid Family Leave Will Help Rhode Island Families
2019
- Fact Sheet – Early Educator Compensation in Rhode Island
- Findings from Rhode Island Kindergarten Teacher Data Use Survey
- First 1,000 Days of RIte Care Task Force Maternal Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Recommendations for RIte Care
- PDG B-5 Renewal Final RI Application
- Planning the Transition to Kindergarten in Three Rhode Island Communities
- Rhode Island Family Needs Assessment Final Report
- RI Early Childhood Workforce Needs Assessment Final Report
- RI Early Learning Council Infant Toddler Educator Compensation Recommendations
- RI Early Learning Facilities Needs Assessment
- RI Family Visiting Strategic Plan
- RI Infant Toddler Educator Compensation Task Force Report
2018
- Issue Brief – Working Parents, Child Care and Paid Family Leave
- Statewide Survey of Child Care Rates in RI
- PDG B-5 Planning Grant Narrative
- Integrated Early Care and Education Data in RI
- Fact Sheet – BrightStars
- Rhode Island Infant/Toddler Credential Recommendations
- BrightStars Think Tank Recommendations and Responses
- BrightStars Think Tank Recommendations
2017
2016
- Governor’s Summit on Early Learning (Birth through 8): Highlights from Table Discussions
- Working in Early Care and Education in Rhode Island 2016 Preliminary Workforce Report
- Family Home Visiting Report to General Assembly
- Investing in the Future – Financing Early Care and Education in RI
- Policy Equity Group Analysis and Recommendations for RI’s Kindergarten Entry Profile
- RI BrightStars Evaluation Exec Summary
- RI BrightStars Evaluation Full Report
- RI Early Learning Council Comprehensive Advisory Plan 2016 – 2020
- Funding to Exceed: Sustaining a World-Class Early Childhood System that Supports the Well-Being and School Readiness of Rhode Island’s Youngest Children
2015
2014
- Fact Sheet – Early Head Start and Head Start in RI
- Fact Sheet – RI Child Care Assistance Program
- Rhode Island Early Learning Facility Needs Assessment
- Supporting the Development of Executive Functions in Young Children in RI
- Young Dual and English Language Learners in RI
- Rhode Island Early Learning Facility Needs Assessment
- Licensed Centers and Family Child Care Homes – Rhode Island Early Learning Workforce Study
2013
- Improving Access to High-Quality Early Learning Programs in RI
- Quality for Every Child – Developing a Continuum of Quality Standards for RI Early Care and Education Programs
- Statewide Survey of Child Care Rates in RI
- Young Children with Developmental Delays and Disabilities in RI
- The State of Early Childhood Higher Education in Rhode Island: The Rhode Island Early Childhood Higher Education Inventory
- The Cost of Quality Early Learning in Rhode Island: Interim Report
- Rhode Island Early Intervention- Child Welfare Work Group Recommendations
2012
2011
- Rhode Island Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge Grant Application
- Rhode Island’s School-Age Child Care Quality Study
- Statewide Survey of Child Care Rates in RI
- Early Learning Data System Recommendations
- Expanding Access to High Quality Learning Programs
- Kindergarten Assessment Recommendations
2010
2009
- Access to Early Learning Programs in RI
- Pilot Test of the Draft Rhode Island BrightStars Family Child Care Framework
- Rhode Island Pre-K Planning Design Committee Report
- Statewide Survey of Child Care Rates in RI
- Voices from the Field – Recommendations for Improving the RI Early Care and Education System
2008
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2000
