Lessons Learned in State-Community CollaborationLessons from Third Sector's Work on Mixed Delivery Early Childhood Education Systems with Minnesota’s Department of Education

Collaboration between state agencies and local communities is critical in building a sustainable and equitable early childhood education mixed delivery system. A mixed delivery system recognizes that one size “does not fit all” and offers an individualized approach. Families are thus provided with access to early childhood education through a variety of providers, including public schools, private child care centers, Head Start programs, and family child care homes. This approach ensures flexibility and choice, with the goal of equitable access across settings.

Over the past year, Third Sector worked closely to support