California offers an array of state and federally funded early care and education (ECE) programs for children birth to age 5, particularly those living in or near poverty. However, California's ECE system is complex and fragmented, often making it difficult for policymakers, providers, and families to understand. This brief, which is based on the report "Understanding California's Early Care and Education System," provides policymakers with a comprehensive overview of the state's ECE system, describing its administration and funding, access to care, program quality, and data limitations. [For the full report, see ED606735.]