How to Use the Navigator

The Zaentz Navigator: Your Guide to Early Education

The Zaentz Navigator, developed by the Saul Zaentz Early Education Initiative at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, is a powerful interactive tool. It helps policymakers, researchers, advocates, and journalists explore how states, cities, and counties are structuring, financing, expanding, and improving early education.

Getting Started with the Zaentz Navigator

You have two options for beginning your exploration:

  • Browse All Strategies: View a comprehensive list of all strategies available.
  • Customize Your Search: Tailor your search based on your goals and criteria.
How to Customize Your Search

On the homepage, use the provided prompts to create a personalized search:

  1. Select Your Location Type: Choose state, city, county, or all three from the first dropdown menu.
  2. Pick a Strategy Category: Select a category from the second dropdown menu.
  3. Search for Strategies: Click SEARCH FOR STRATEGIES to view results tailored to your criteria.
Exploring Your Results

Once you’ve entered your criteria, the Navigator presents a list of relevant strategies. Each entry includes:

  • Detailed descriptions of a strategy, including local context, relevant legislation, funding sources, important dates, program criteria, and key stakeholders.
  • Sources and links for users to learn more about the strategy. 

Review these to identify strategies that align with your goals or refine your search further.

Refining Your Results

Narrow your results using advanced filters:

  • Funding Sources: Identify strategies based on funding type.
  • Target Populations: Focus on specific sub-groups.
  • Type of Strategy: Explore strategies by their approach.
Additional Resources to Maximize Your Experience

Glossary of Terms: Understand key terminology used in the Navigator.

How We Built the Navigator: Discover the methodology and criteria for choosing which policy strategies to include.

Help Me Select a Strategy Category: How to choose a strategy category that fits your needs.

Learn How Others Are Using the Navigator: See real-world examples of how the tool is being applied.

About the Saul Zaentz Early Education Initiative: Learn more about us.