High-Quality Early Learning & Care: Understanding the Proven Benefits & Need for Investment

Economic development starts with early childhood development—and the best investments ensure all children who need it have access to high-quality early learning and care opportunities. Evidence shows that increased access to affordable, high-quality early childhood programs result in short- and long-term economic benefits for individuals and society.

Investing in child care and early learning is a solution that creates upward mobility by ensuring all children have the opportunity to build foundations for success in school and life, while allowing parents to work or attend school and pursue greater economic security.

Unfortunately, the high cost of quality care and the limited supply across the country have created insurmountable challenges for too many families. Now is the time to build an early learning system for children from birth through age five that ensures every family who needs it can find and afford the care options that work for them.

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