The position statement presents the essential body of knowledge, skills, dispositions, and practices required of all early childhood educators working with children from birth through age 8, across all early learning settings. It articulates a vision of sustained excellence for early childhood educators. The statement has been intentionally developed not only to guide the preparation and practice of the early childhood education profession but also to be used by others in the early childhood field. It is intended to serve as the core early childhood educator standards and competencies for the field, a document that states can use to develop their own more-detailed standards and competencies that address their specific contexts. (author abstract)