Early Childhood

Early childhood development is critical, as a baby’s mental, physical, and social-emotional systems are shaped between the ages of one and five. But in New York City, children living in poverty lack access to many resources needed to build strong foundations for future success.

Robin Hood’s Early Childhood program works to improve and increase access to high-quality direct services for children, mothers, and caregivers, and influence policies that impact children and families.

Our Strategy

We fund and support our grantee organizations and partners to:

• Improve physical and mental health of mothers, infants, and caregivers: We support programs focused on advancing primary and mental health outcomes from pregnancy through early childhood.
• Support infant and toddler development: We fund efforts to support parents and educators through individual or group coaching using evidence-based strategies to support their child’s cognitive, language, and socio-emotional development.
• Champion early learning opportunities: We fuel investments that give children a solid foundation by creating opportunities for learning wherever children may be: doctor’s offices, libraries, homes, pre-K, shelters, and more.
• Improve access to high-quality child care: We advocate for improvements in the quality of care, elevate equity for the workforce, and fight for affordability so families can make the best choices for their children.

Our Interventions

Robin Hood’s early childhood interventions focus on giving New York City’s youngest children—especially those growing up in poverty—the strongest possible start in life. By investing in high-quality child care, early learning, caregiver support, and systems change, we work to ensure families have the resources they need from pregnancy through age three and beyond.

• Child Care Quality and Innovation Initiative: Launched in 2022, CCQII is a $100 million public-private investment with New York City to strengthen and modernize the city’s child care system for low-income families. The initiative expands access and affordability in underserved neighborhoods while investing in workforce quality and early learning environments—so far improving care for 715 children through Robin Hood-funded grantees.
• Fund for Early Learning: FUEL is building an “early learning metropolis” in New York City by ensuring children ages 0–3 and their caregivers have access to the health, learning, and socioemotional supports they need to thrive. Since 2017, FUEL has invested $52.3 million in community-driven, evidence-based solutions—serving 108,000 children and families and awarding $3.75 million in prizes to scale innovative local programs.