It started with a dream: to create a national best practices teaching and learning center that would not only provide the best available care and education to children ages 0 to 5 years old, but would also serve as a model for adult learners and like-minded entities and individuals in the early education arena. Committed to elevating the quality of early childhood education in Miami, Florida, and beyond, the United Way Center For Excellence in Early Education (the Center) and its Demonstration School, Educare of Miami-Dade (the School), offer children a place to begin a lifetime of learning and success; teachers and program administrators a place to learn how to develop professionally; and the community and beyond a model to emulate and an opportunity to build partnerships in the spirit of collaboration among those involved in early care and education.