This brief focuses on the issues and opportunities states face in building early childhood data systems that address the needs of their multi-ethnic populations. Five potential gaps have been identified in the areas of readiness, participation, cultural awareness and recognition, workforce diversity, and stakeholder planning and decision-making. In order to address and move to close these gaps, the authors recommend that as states develop their early learning data systems, they should focus efforts on ensuring that data is publically accessible and transparent, while honoring data privacy issues. By involving diverse stakeholder participation and providing technical support, children of different cultural, ethnic, racial, and language backgrounds may be better served.