Research shows that supporting children in the first 8 years of life can set them on a path for better life outcomes in education, health, and economic mobility. Early care and education (ECE) programs can play a big role in that support: children who attend high-quality ECE programs are less likely to repeat grades, need special education, or have future behavior problems. In recent years the federal government and states have taken steps to minimize barriers and improve access to high quality ECE. In addition to policy efforts, states are also adopting strategies to use their ECE data to better understand the needs of families and the availability of services in communities. This document shares strategies and recommendations for states and communities to use data to open even more doors to children and families.