Education - As introduced, creates the division of early child care and education within the department of education. - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 49.

SB 1378 creates a new Division of Early Child Care and Education within Tennessee's Department of Education by December 2026. It directly affects early childhood programs receiving state or federal funding - including pre-K, Head Start, child care subsidies, and disability education services - by establishing a unified system for licensing, quality standards, and accountability. Key provisions include standardizing regulations to reduce provider burdens while protecting child safety, implementing evidence-based quality ratings tied to child development outcomes, and creating advisory councils with provider and parent input. The bill mandates a two-part transition plan with a council to develop this system, requiring alignment across all publicly funded early care programs.