As the Executive Director of Shady Lane School, I am honored to share our profound appreciation for the Early Excellence Project (EEP). Their unwavering support through the Early Learners First program and executive coaching has been transformative for our institution.
Through the Early Learners First initiative, EEP has significantly enhanced our capacity to provide high-quality early childhood education and support resources that impact early childhood educators. Their generous funding has enabled us to expand our programs, improve facilities, and offer comprehensive services to our young learners and their families. This partnership has been instrumental in advancing our mission to foster a nurturing and inclusive learning environment. In addition, EEP has opened doors for us to form relationships with neighboring providers, and community partners to strengthen the act of cross collaboration in our sector.
EEP's commitment to equity and excellence in early childhood education is truly commendable. Their holistic approach, encompassing sourcing crucial resources for the field and professional development, has been pivotal in our journey toward continuous improvement. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and look forward to our ongoing collaboration to enrich the lives of young learners in our community.
As a proud board member of the Early Excellence Project (EEP), I am consistently inspired by the organization’s unwavering commitment to improving early childcare, particularly within Black and Brown communities. EEP is transforming the landscape of early education by providing critical resources, support, and training to childcare centers, enabling them to achieve accreditations and enhance their programming. The work EEP does to close the opportunity gap and elevate the quality of care for children is truly making a difference. It’s been amazing to see the impact of EEP’s partnerships, funding, and outreach, and I’m excited to continue supporting this important work. The strides EEP is making to help children and educators thrive are invaluable, and I couldn’t be prouder of the positive changes we’re bringing to the community.
As a long-time collaborator and community partner, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside the Early Excellence Project (EEP) and witnessing firsthand their deep commitment to children, families, and the broader early childhood ecosystem. What sets EEP apart is not only their strategic and research-informed approach, but also their authenticity in centering community voice in everything they do.
Whether supporting local providers or designing systems-level solutions, the EEP team leads with equity and integrity. They show up as true partners—listening deeply, building trust, and co-creating solutions that are both practical and impactful. I’ve seen them bridge gaps between families, educators, policymakers, and funders in ways that feel intentional and deeply respectful.
In a space where it’s easy to talk about collaboration, EEP actually lives it. Their work uplifts the potential of every child by ensuring those closest to them—caregivers, teachers, and communities—are equipped, supported, and valued. It’s been an honor to be in partnership with EEP, and I’m consistently inspired by the way they blend vision with action.
As an employee who's been part of the Early Excellence Project since its inception, I've witnessed firsthand our commitment to addressing the critical shortage of quality child care in the Greater Pittsburgh area. One of our primary missions is to provide technical assistance and executive coaching to current and aspiring child care providers. By empowering these small business owners, we help them launch new centers, enhance their existing programs, and create sustainable business models. This approach directly increases access to high-quality child care, enabling more families to maintain employment and achieve economic stability.
Furthermore, our organization actively works to professionalize the child care field, advocating for livable wages and better working conditions for early childhood educators—a significant industry challenge. Additionally, our high-impact tutoring programs focus on improving early literacy, recognizing that strong foundational reading skills are vital to a child's long-term academic success.
Despite being a small, dedicated team, the Early Excellence Project has accomplished remarkable progress in a short period. Your support is crucial to continuing this transformational work, helping us build stronger communities and brighter futures. Donate today and join us in reshaping early learning systems for the better.