After identifying the critical policy questions confronting state policymakers, the ECDC identified 10 fundamentals of coordinated state ECE data systems. The 10 fundamentals allow stakeholders to better understand the relationships among children, program sites and ECE workforce characteristics over time. In addition to collecting data, coordinated data systems have the capabilities to link select information longitudinally and with other key programs. A governance structure manages data collection and use, and states have transparent privacy protections and security practices and policies. These ECE fundamentals are the backbone of the data systems, but based on a state’s unique interests and political realities, state stakeholders may choose to include additional information and capabilities. (author abstract)