This consensus paper defines the purpose, responsibilities, and unique identity of the early childhood education profession. Power to the Profession is structured in a series of eight decision cycles. The profession identified in this decision cycle, Decision Cycle 1, will be taken through the following seven cycles of the Power to the Profession process, inclusive of the competencies, specializations, competency attainment, qualifications and pathways, recommended compensation structure, accountability and quality assurance, and required support and infrastructure. Essentially, we commit, in this initial time period, to advancing, promoting, influencing, and governing the profession we identify in Decision Cycle 1. (author abstract)