The Oklahoma Early Childhood Program (OECP) was created by the Oklahoma State Legislature in 2006 to improve the quality of early education and expand capacity to serve children from birth through age three statewide. The OECP provides the fiscal structure to align Oklahoma State Department of Education and private resources to promote high-quality standards tied to minimum teacher qualifications, ongoing professional development, and parent supports designed to foster low-income families' independence and economic success.
OECP Quality
All centers meet the OK Human Services licensing requirements. Participating childcare programs are required to meet selected requirements from the Head Start Program Performance Standards, and must have or be in the process of being accredited by the national association/agency that has been approved by OECP.
- Teacher Qualifications
Every classroom is staffed with at least two credentialed teachers.
- Pay Equity
Lead teachers with a bachelor's degree are paid comparably to public school teachers.
- Training
Teachers receive specialized training on Infant/Toddler Care during their first year of employment, and partners receive additional support to create and sustain high-quality early childhood programs.
- Time
Services are provided 44 weeks of the year and at least 8 hours per day.
- Family Support
Credentialed staff provide wraparound services to meet basic family needs.
Impact
Created in 2006, eligible providers include child care centers, school districts, tribal and community agencies, and local Head Start and Early Head Start program operators. Since its inception, OECP has benefited:
- 46,000
- children
- 23
- community partners
- 4,000+
- classrooms
- 82
- early childhood centers
- 20
- rural communities
- 15
- urban communities
- 2
- family childcare homes
A national model
OECP is a national model for quality early childhood education. The University of Oklahoma's Early Childhood Education Institute conducts an independent annual evaluation of the program and has documented that, compared with typical community child care centers, OECP classrooms have:
More intentional language interactions
Higher child growth in language and social-emotional development
Every dollar spent on high-quality, birth-to-five programs for disadvantaged children delivers a 13% per annum return on investment.