Investing in Early Education

“Early education initiatives are rarely portrayed as economic development initiatives, and that is a mistake.”

-Arthur J. Rolnick, Senior VP & Director of Research, Fed Reserve

Bank of Minneapolis

Economically disadvantaged children enter kindergarten 1-2 years behind in language and

other skills important to school success. (Source: Urahn

(2001).

“The return on investment from early childhood development is extraordinary, resulting in better working public schools, more educated workers and less crime.”

-Arthur J. Rolnick, Senior VP & Director of Research, Fed Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

Quality Early Care Increases:

Success in School

Graduation Rates

Workforce Readiness

Job Productivity(Source: BornLearning).

Quality Early Learning Reduces:

Crime Rates Job Training Costs

Teen Pregnancy Special Education Costs

Welfare Dependency Grade

Repetition

(Source: BornLearning).

Policies that seek to remedy deficits incurred in the early years are much more costly than initial investments in the early years.-Nobel prize-winning economist James Heckman

Since 2000 the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona has:

Increased the number of nationally accredited child care centers from 4 to 57 and the number of low-income children served in high-quality programs by over 2,600%.

Quality Care Matters

And last year through United Way:

494 children received fluoride varnish to prevent tooth decay.

20 centers established tooth brushing programs.

46 centers provided direct services to children including nutrition education, health screenings, and CPR/First Aid.

Health Matters

Also last year:

677 families learned new parenting skills.

1,033 women received care/support for a healthy pregnancy and learned about nurturing babies.

40,744 families received age-

appropriate books and early literacy tips from their medical clinics (compared to zero in 2000).

Parental Support Matters

Investing in children brings a higher rate of return than investing in low-skill adults.

-Nobel prize-winning economist James Heckman

Every dollar invested in early education brings a return of between $4 and $17.

(Source: Kirp, The Sandbox Investment)

Thank You!