LEGACY of
impact
EVERY DAY COUNTS
FROM BIRTH TO KINDERGARTEN:
MAKING EVERY MOMENT MATTER
In the 1,825 days from birth to kindergarten, every moment counts. The Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies drives stronger systems, better outcomes, and support for educators and caregivers to transform early learning and shape futures for every child, every day.
Exploring the science of early childhood since 2010.
After fifteen years of growth and impact, the Center stands as a beacon of innovation for children, families, and professionals across Florida and beyond. Since its inception, Center members have championed an ambitious vision: that every child experiences high-quality early learning opportunities, immersed in nurturing, responsive relationships that create a strong foundation for future life success. Our efforts translate an evolving science into evidence-based practices and policy, shaping education, health, and wellbeing from birth through kindergarten. As we look to the future, the Center will continue to lead, inspire, and transform the early learning landscape. With the support of our many partners, we aspire to increase the application of research in real-world settings, to expand our reach to those who need it most, and to set the standard for excellence in early care and education.
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MISSION BY
THE NUMBERS
Philanthropic Support
Research Funding Awarded
COLLECTIVE IMPACT
Our Center-wide efforts have led to lasting impacts across research, policy, and practice. We've hired research scientists and pre-eminent faculty, trained post-doctoral associates, doctoral students, and graduate students in early childhood studies, early childhood policy, and early childhood focused special education.
In its first 15 years, the Center has advanced research, policy, preparation, and practice to create opportunities for every child and family to thrive. It has positively impacted hundreds of thousands of children and families, educators, researchers, and partners at the local, state, national, and international levels. With more than $74 million in funding, extensive publications, presentations, website and social media engagement, the Center has shaped conversations and actions that influence the field of early childhood, establishing a legacy of impact that continues to guide its work.
Looking forward, the Anita Zucker Center will continue to conduct research, shape policy and practice, cultivate partnerships, and prepare the next generation of leaders. We welcome partners and champions to walk alongside the Center as we continue create lasting impact for children, families, and communities for generations to come.
THE 3R’S OF EARLY LEARNING™:
RELATIONSHIPS, REPETITION, & ROUTINES
Over the past 15 years, the Center has been working to ensure every child experiences nurturing, responsive relationships and high-quality early learning opportunities in the context of their families and community. We have organized this vision as the 3R’s of Early Learning™: Relationships, Repetition, and Routines. Developed and trademarked by the Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies, the 3R’s of Early Learning™ are foundational to children’s development and early learning. The 3R’s are important processes that shape children’s health, development, learning and well-being, by focusing on how, with whom, when, and where children learn, in addition to what they learn. Through everyday routines and repeated learning opportunities, the 3R’s create the foundation for our work.
A STRONG Foundation
Aptly timed reflection reaffirms the Center’s mission: translate science to action through innovative research, professional development, and community partnerships that support all young children from birth to age five and their families.
LEGACY OF IMPACT
The vision and leadership of founding director, Patricia Snyder, Ph.D., and co-director, Maureen Conroy, Ph.D., established a foundation that continues to shape our success. Their dedication and impact extend beyond improving the lives of young children and their families; it has sparked a ripple effect that touches all facets of our society. By bridging the gap from research to policy and practice, we are affecting positive change around the world. Drs. Snyder and Conroy have left a remarkable legacy shaped by purpose, perseverance, and people that continues to inspire the next generation of leaders. What was seeded by a small investment has grown into more than $74 million in research funding and philanthropic support.
ANITA ZUCKER
Anita Zucker’s philanthropic support was instrumental in establishing the Center and the Anita Zucker Endowed Professorship in Early Childhood Studies. Guided by her belief, tikkun olam, “repair the world”, her partnership with the University of Florida created opportunities for children, families, and educators.
DAVID LAWRENCE, JR.
When David Lawrence, Jr., former publisher of the Miami Herald, devoted himself to public service, early childhood education emerged as a pressing need with the power to change lives. He believes success in school benefits not just families, but entire communities. Alongside friends and colleagues, he established the David Lawrence, Jr. Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Studies.
RESEARCH
IN ACTION
Research in Real-World Settings
When David Lawrence, Jr., former publisher of the Miami Herald, devoted himself to public service, early childhood education emerged as a pressing need with the power to change lives. He believes success in school benefits not just families, but entire communities. Alongside friends and colleagues, he established the David Lawrence, Jr. Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Studies.
Collaborative Partnerships
We co-create solutions with families, practitioners, program leaders, policymakers, and researchers. Long-standing partnerships with the UF Early Childhood Collaboratory, FL Division of Early Learning, and national networks have supported the development, implementation, and scaling of effective practices. These collaborations have helped to secure over $74 million in funding and prepare thousands of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students.
Translating Research into Action
We translate research into practical, effective strategies that can be used by families, practitioners, and leaders. Frameworks like Practice-Based Coaching and the Pyramid Model equip adults to enhance their use of evidence-based practices across formal and informal learning contexts. These approaches are grounded in the science of child development and learning, and are embedded in our core initiatives and partnerships.
Improving Data-Informed Policy & Decision Making
The Center advances data-informed policymaking by helping leaders use meaningful, actionable data to improve outcomes for young children and families. Through initiatives like the Sunshine State Early Childhood Information Portal, the Informal Pathway Project, and the Practice-Based Coaching Data-Informed Decision Making (PBC-DIDM) model, we collaborate with state and local partners to identify key questions, apply advanced research methods, and translate findings into decisions that shape early childhood systems. These efforts reflect our commitment to bridging research, policy, and practice, and equipping leaders with tools to make informed decisions that enhance early learning, health, and well-being across communities.
ACROSS
The World
Through these focus areas and many others, our work positively impacts hundreds of thousands of individuals and partners across local, state, national, and international settings.
Every child needs to have every opportunity. Healthy communities have to start with our youngest children.
– Anita Zucker