The field of early childhood care and education (ECCE) is riding a current wave of interest that has pushed the care and education of young children birth through age 8 from the periphery to the core of debates among policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders across the U.S. and the globe. This handbook outlines the history, significance, best practices, challenges (be they political, practical, or societal), and future directions for the field. We gathered a diversity of perspectives to create this comprehensive synopsis of the major components of the field of ECCE within the U.S., from a rights and capabilities perspective. Senior and emerging scholars contribute a set of chapters that illuminate the knowledge, challenges, and opportunities the field has and continues to face. We hope this collection provides clear guidelines to early educators, researchers, policymakers, and other advocates that will aid them in researching, creating, questioning, and advocating for ECCE programs and systems that support every child's developmental, sociocultural, and linguistic growth.