The purpose of this project was to launch a randomized clinical trial in six Educare schools. The Educare model of early childhood education is high-quality, center-based care and education for children from birth to age 5 in high-risk communities. The core features of the program include well-educated and supported teachers; a focus on children's social-emotional development as well as language, literacy and cognition; extensive family involvement opportunities and support; and a reliance on evidence-based practices. The start-up phase included development of study recruitment materials, obtaining IRB approval at UNC and partner universities, training agency staff for recruitment, consenting families into the study, and randomly assigning recruited families to Educare treatment and community care control groups.