ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the process of scaling up Early Head Start–Child Care Partnerships (EHS-CCP), using this as an example to illustrate the properties of the situation or context—particularly systems infrastructure—that facilitate scaling early childhood education services. Facilitative leadership was a key characteristic of the early childhood leaders in the three US states as they brought various stakeholders together to identify shared goals and align planning, policy, and service delivery and leverage EHS-CCP system building opportunities. More research is needed to identify the appropriate level of resources needed for service delivery, capacity building, and systems infrastructure in order to support the successful scale-up of early childhood programs. In addition, better strategies to estimate the costs and benefits of positive spillover effects during implementation and scale-up would help to facilitate successful, continued scaling of EHS-CCP and other partnership models. More work is needed to understand the role of leadership and partnerships in leveraging and maximizing resources and learning opportunities for building state and local capacity to scale-up and increase access to high-quality infant and toddler early care and education.
