Early Learning

Early childhood learning is a smart investment

High-quality preschool is one of the best investments Washington state can make. Research shows that for every dollar invested in high-quality preschool, at least $7 is saved in social services, remedial education, public safety and juvenile justice. We either pay now or pay even more later. And early childhood education has been shown to be a foundation for students’ success in grades K-12, in college and in life.

90 percent of a child’s brain development happens before age five. Yet only 30 percent of three- and four-year-olds in Washington were enrolled in preschool programs that met minimum state standards last year — one of the widest early education gaps in the nation, according to The Annie E. Casey Foundation. We need to close the gap and invest in early childhood learning, so our kids don’t fall behind before they even get a chance to start.

Vote for candidates and ballot measures that support early learning. Washington’s kids are our best investment.

Related Seattle Times Coverage

 

Apr 23, 2015

Legislature must pass the Early Start Act for the state’s youngest learners

 

Apr 6, 2015

Seattle City Council gives OK to launch of preschool program
 

Apr 3, 2015

Olympia Watch: Early learning, student restraint bills survive latest cutoff
 

Feb 27, 2015

Seattle releases subsidized-preschool implementation plan
 

Jan 12, 2015

Editorial: Early education’s promise needs funding
 

Jan 7, 2015

Constantine seeks 2015 levy for early-childhood programs
 

Dec 24, 2014

Inslee’s budget calls for all-time biggest boost to early learning
 

Dec 10, 2014

Obama announces $1B for early childhood education
 

Oct 15, 2014

Panelists push for need, funding of early-childhood education
 

Jul 29, 2014

Preschool for all kids? Business leaders get campaign preview
 

Jul 30, 2014

The critical role of doctors in early learning
 

Sep 20, 2014

What does ‘high-quality’ preschool look like?
 

Nov 20, 2014

Free pre-K: Strong early gains, but long-term questions
 

Dec 3, 2014

Editorial: Education funding needs to be for more than K-12
 

Oct 15, 2014

Your voices: Readers’ opinions, concerns on expanded pre-K
 

Mar 6, 2014

Guest: Fund early learning in state budget
 

Jan 30, 2014

How Boston’s preschools went from mediocre to outstanding

 

Jan 14, 2014

Cash for quality preschool will be found, lawmaker promises

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