The Case for Early Care and Education By: Ron Seidman VP/GM A Child's World ECE Centers
What do you think when you hear that state and federal dollars support childcare and pre-school for economically disadvantaged, at-risk children? Many think, why should I pay for someone else's child to have these services? As a school manager for early childhood education for twenty years, the initial reaction is a difficult one. However, consider this. Would you rather pay for a child's early age education and care or would you rather pay for that child's welfare or prison term when he or she becomes an adult? I can assure you the early childhood education is far cheaper. You may be think this sounds crazy but there are numerous studies by universities and even police organizations that show substantial increase in the ability and likelihood that a child receiving, quality early care and education, from birth through kindergarten have a far better chance of becoming a productive citizen. It is less likely that they will be a burden to society or a criminal. So the question becomes, would you rather pay now or pay later? It is now undisputed by scientific fact that providing children with a rich developmental experience from birth to the age of 5 years old develops their learning potential for life. They are making positive brain connections and developing crucial social-emotional skills. The older the child, the more difficult brain rewiring becomes. A child that receives quality early care and education is much more likely to be successful in school and less likely to be disruptive and require costly extra services. So is it better to pay now while it is cheaper to tax payers and significantly beneficial to the child or pay later when it becomes drastically more expensive and hopeless? Our state legislators grapple with this question at each budget cycle. However, as an early childhood education provider for the rich, for the poor and for the middle class children, I see the direct positive results of these programs everyday and know they work for the kids, for the families and for society. Let me leave you with this question to ponder. How much money could be saved by providing quality early care and education to all children from through kindergarten if we eliminate the 12th grade school yar and give high school students the option to begin taking college courses a year earlier? Be sure to read this answer in my next article.
