Key points
- Early care and education (ECE) providers support children's development by helping them learn, explore, and get along with others.
- This type of support is particularly important for children who are exposed to adverse childhood experiences and factors that put them at a disadvantage.
![School librarian sitting on the floor reading a book aloud with a young girl and the girl's service dog](/early-care/media/images/school_librarian_reading_1200x675.jpg)
Child development and screening
![Early educator reading a book to three young children.](/early-care/media/images/teacher_with_toddlers_1200x675.jpg)
ECE providers can also monitor children's developmental milestones and help them build other needed skills. ECE programs can make a difference in children's development that can last a lifetime. Children who need additional support because they are at risk for or have developmental delays or disabilities can receive needed services and early intervention from ECE providers, whether in childcare centers, family home care programs, or through home visit services.