Across the country, cities, towns, and villages are navigating unprecedented challenges, while still working to ensure young children and families have what they need to thrive. In moments like this, local leadership matters more than ever.
This four-part peer learning series is designed to support cities as they strengthen early childhood systems, learn from one another, and stay connected to what’s emerging nationwide.
This series introduces the Municipal Roadmap to Early Childhood Success, a practical framework grounded in real city experience, peer exchange, and strategies that help local governments protect progress and build responsive systems for children and families.
The Roadmap reflects NLC’s belief that lasting early childhood progress depends on aligned leadership, cross-department coordination, and policies that respond to local context rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.
Events In This Series
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 02:00 PM ET
Systems Over Silos: Building Coordinated Pathways for Early Childhood Success
Coordination across city departments is often viewed as helpful—but too often treated as an afterthought rather than a core strategy for impact. In this third session of the series, Systems Over Silos, municipal leaders will explore how cross-department collaboration can move from intention to action, creating more aligned, efficient systems that better support young children and families. Through peer exchange and practical examples, participants will learn what cities are doing to build coordinated systems that turn everyday collaboration into meaningful, lasting outcomes.
Wednesday, December 2, 2026 02:00 PM ET
- More information about this session is coming soon.
What This Series Offers
The Early Childhood Leaders Peer Network Series brings together municipal leaders from across the country to:
- Explore how cities are advancing early childhood priorities amid shifting funding, policy, and governance landscapes
- Learn directly from peers who are navigating similar challenges and opportunities
- Engage in interactive sessions that respond to emerging needs and national trends
- Build relationships in a city-centered, peer-only space designed for honest conversation and shared problem-solving
Each Session Will Feature
- Practical strategies cities are using right now
- Real-world examples from municipal leaders
- Facilitated peer discussion and reflection
- Opportunities to connect across regions and roles
Who Should Participate
This series is designed for:
- Municipal early childhood leaders
- City staff working across departments that impact children and families
- Local government leaders committed to strengthening early childhood systems
Sessions are intentionally structured as a city-focused, peer learning space, creating room for candid conversation and shared learning among municipal leaders. Participation is limited to municipal leaders to preserve trust, relevance, and meaningful peer exchange.
Events In This Series
- Wednesday, February 18, 2026 02:00 PM ET
- Navigating the Moment: Local Leadership and the Roadmap to Early Childhood Success
- This webinar will provide a focused look at NLC’s Municipal Roadmap to Early Childhood Success, highlighting strategies to strengthen systems that support children and families. Participants will receive timely federal updates, explore how to turn emerging challenges into local action, and learn from and connect with peers leading through this moment.
- Wednesday, May 20, 2026 02:00 PM ET
- Strong early childhood systems don’t happen by chance. They are built through intentional leadership, collaboration, and community vision. The second call in the series will take a deeper look at NLC’s Municipal Roadmap to Early Childhood Success, highlighting how local leaders can strengthen early childhood systems in their communities through the four core pillars of a thriving early childhood community. Participants will receive timely federal updates, explore how emerging challenges can spark local action, and exchange ideas with peer leaders.