Early Childhood Education Advocacy in Pennsylvania
First Up aims to create a path to help children and their teachers reach their full potential. Our ceaseless advocacy efforts help to increase awareness and funding in both the public and private sectors. There are a number of ways you can join this important work.
GET INVOLVED WITH OUR ADVOCACY PARTNERS
Our youngest learners can’t vote, but you can! Click HERE to make you have all the information you need to vote!
Sign up for the Pre-K for PA campaign to support pre-kindergarten care and education
Start Strong PA.
Sign up for the Start Strong PA campaign to support infant and toddler care and education
Thriving PA.
Thriving PA is a non-partisan statewide campaign with the goal of ensuring each mother and child in PA has the opportunity for affordable, quality health care access.
Resources
Our toddlers can’t Vote, but YOU can! Families and educators of young children play a vital role in shaping the future—but they’re often overlooked as voters. Join us Tuesday, October 6 1:00 PM -2:00 PM and Wednesday, October 14 6:30 PM-7:30 PM. These workshops will explore why voting in every election matters, review resources for making informed voting decisions and discuss strategies to encourage civic engagement among staff and families. The sessions will be presented in English with live Spanish interpretation, and ECE professionals can receive 1 PQAS hour.
ECE Fellowships train participants in advocacy skills, offering both English and Spanish speakers the ability to unlock their full leadership potential and ignite change, and immersing them in a powerful learning experience where they dive into the foundational pillars of leadership and advocacy within the early childhood education landscape.
Capitol Days
In concert with other members of the Early Learning PA coalition, First Up regularly travels to Harrisburg to meet with legislators and conduct public visibility events, including rallies in the Capitol rotunda.
Families Have Voices, Too
Families Have Voices, Too is building a community of parents who support each other and work together toward common goals, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual aid. The organization brings people together to engage in advocacy, encouraging policymakers to create and implement laws and regulations that benefit Family Child Care Programs. It also educates the public about the importance of early childhood education and the specific role of Family Child Care Programs.
Southeastern Pennsylvania Early Childhood Coalition (SEPECC)
SEPECC serves as an umbrella of organizations supporting the mission of providing high-quality early childhood services to families. It represents child care centers, Family Child Care Programs, advocacy groups, training agencies, early care support agencies and funders who share the goal of coordinating and increasing public support for early care and education. Volunteers from the early childhood community, with organizational support from First Up, provide leadership for the Coalition. REGISTER HERE
Meeting Dates
October 27, 2026
November 17, 2026
December 15, 2026
January 26, 2027
February 23, 2027
April 27, 2027
May 25, 2027
June 22, 2027
Discover what we’re doing! Click for a recording of our latest meetings or to see meeting slides.
September 29, 2026
June 23, 2026