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Early childhood education refers to the formal and informal teaching and learning experiences provided to children from birth to age eight, with a particular focus on those from ages three to five. This critical period of development is characterized by rapid growth in cognitive, social-emotional, language, and physical domains. Early childhood education programs aim to support this growth through play-based, experiential learning that fosters curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning. These programs may take place in a variety of settings, including preschools, childcare centers, family childcare homes, and kindergartens, and are typically designed to promote school readiness by developing essential skills such as literacy, numeracy, problem-solving, and self-regulation. High-quality early childhood education has been linked to positive long-term outcomes, including higher academic achievement, reduced rates of grade retention and special education placement, increased high school graduation rates, and improved socio-emotional development.