Authorizes grants to states to enhance early childhood educators' knowledge, credentials, compensation, and professional development.

The Early Childhood Educator Professional Improvement Act of 2026 authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to states. These grants aim to improve the knowledge, credentials, compensation, and professional development of early childhood educators. The act requires states to maintain their fiscal effort at a level equal to or greater than the previous fiscal year. It also mandates that grant funds supplement, not supplant, other federal, state, and local funds for early childhood educator preparation and professional development.

Authorizes grants to states to enhance early childhood educators' knowledge, credentials, compensation, and professional development.

The Early Childhood Educator Professional Improvement Act of 2026 authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to states. These grants aim to improve the knowledge, credentials, compensation, and professional development of early childhood educators. The act requires states to maintain their fiscal effort at a level equal to or greater than the previous fiscal year. It also mandates that grant funds supplement, not supplant, other federal, state, and local funds for early childhood educator preparation and professional development.