The Value of Early Childhood Education

I think it is undisputed that working with and educating children between the ages of one-and-five improves their capacity to grow and develop in healthy ways. 

Early childhood education provides measurable benefits in dollars and more

According to an article in Legal Momentum here are some of the measurable outcomes describing the benefits of early childhood education.

“The evidence is in: quality early education benefits children of all social and economic groups.There are both short- and long-term economic benefits to taxpayers and the community if early education that meets high standards is available to all children, starting with those who are most disadvantaged. Indeed, universally available quality early education would benefit everyone and be the most cost-effective economic investment.

• High-quality early childhood education helps prepare young children to succeed in school and become better citizens; they earn more, pay more taxes, and commit fewer crimes.
• Every dollar invested in quality early care and education saves taxpayers up to $13.00 in future costs.
• The early care and education industry is economically important—often much larger in terms of employees and revenues than other industries that receive considerable government attention and investment.
• Failing to invest sufficiently in quality early care and education shortchanges taxpayers because the return on investment is greater than many other economic development options.
• Access to available and affordable choices of early childhood learning programs helps working parents fulfill their responsibilities.
• Quality early education is as essential for a productive 21st century workforce as roads or the internet; investing in it grows the economy.”

Early Childhood Education is not only good for children but good for our whole economic system. What better investment could there be than to start our children with the best possible course in life toward a productive and dynamic future. If you just look at the economics, early childhood education makes so much sense. 

Gerry Vassar, President/CEO, Lakeside Educational Network

Source: Early Childhood Education for All, A Wise Investment: Recommendations arising from “The Economic Impacts of Child Care and Early Education: Financing Solutions for the Future,” a conference sponsored by Legal Momentum’s Family Initiative, April 2005.