Skip to main content

Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8: A Unifying Foundation

Report
By: Institute of Medicine and National Research Council April 1, 2015
Get Resource

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) and National Research Council (NRC) were commissioned to explore the science of child development, particularly looking at implications for the professionals who work with children birth through age 8. In the resulting report, Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8: A Unifying Foundation, the committee finds that much is known about how children learn and develop, what professionals who pro- vide care and education for children need to know and be able to do, and what professional learning supports they need.

Explore More

Home Is Missing From the Maternal and Infant Health Conversation

Blog September 22, 2026

Picture a mother, eight months pregnant, who has missed her last two prenatal appointments — she's been sleeping in her car and has no fixed address to give the clinic. Or a parent three weeks postpartum, trying to establish a nursing routine in a shared shelter bathroom, timing every feeding around when the room is free.

Head Start Under Threat: What the Field is Saying

Research September 22, 2026

Over the past few months, HHS has advanced two related sets of proposed changes to Head Start. National, state, and local partners across the early childhood field have raised serious concerns about both. This document is a summary of what our partners are saying, followed by concrete actions and resources for you and your organization. The content reflects our partners' own statements and comments — we agree with what they've said and are sharing it here with full source attribution. Updated September 22, 2026.