FrontMatter -- Reviewers -- Acknowledgments -- Contents -- Summary -- Part I: Introduction and Context -- 1 Introduction -- 2 The Care and Education Landscape for Children from Birth Through Age 8 -- Part II: The Science of Child Development and Early Learning -- 3 The Interaction of Biology and Environment -- 4 Child Development and Early Learning -- Part II Summation -- Part III: Implications of the Science for Early Care and Education -- 5 The Importance of Continuity for Children Birth Through Age 8 -- 6 Educational Practices -- 7 Knowledge and Competencies -- Part IV: Developing the Care and Education Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 -- 8 Overview of Factors That Contribute to Quality Professional Practice -- 9 Higher Education and Ongoing Professional Learning -- 10 Qualification Requirements, Evaluation Systems, and Quality Assurance Systems -- 11 Status and Well-Being of the Workforce -- Part IV Summation -- Part V: Blueprint for Action -- 12 A Blueprint for Action -- Appendixes -- Appendix A: Biosketches of Committee Members and Staff -- Appendix B: Public Session Agendas -- Appendix C: Information-Gathering from the Field -- Appendix D: Historical Timeline: Preparation for the Care and Education Workforce in the United States -- Appendix E: Credentials by Setting and State -- Appendix F: Tools and Examples to Inform Collaborative Systems Change -- Appendix G: Funding and Financing Examples.