THE PURPOSE OF THE EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION CONSORTIUM, INC. (ECEC) IS TO BE THE FOREMOST ADVOCACY GROUP CAPABALE OF ANALYZING, REPRESENTING AND ACTIVELY ADVOCATING FEDERAL AND STATE LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY ISSUES AND POSITIONS REGARDING THE INTERESTS OF PRIVATE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION PROVIDERS, PARTICULARY AS THOSE INTERESTS RELATE TO OR DIVERGE FROM GOVERNMENTAL EARLY CHILDHOOD SPANNING THE CONTINUUM FROM BIRTH - 5 YEARS.