Learn About Childcare

The costs of childcare strain most budgets today. Yet there may be no more important investment you can make for your child. You want them to be happy, safe, nurtured, and learning when they are in care. Your choice of a childcare center will go a long way in helping your dreams for your child come true. (Some families may qualify for third-party financial assistance. Call us for details.)

 

The chart below shows childcare rates based on a  2007 survey in our community by Family Connections.

 

 

 

 Comparison of Rates in Austin Childcare Centers

The Economic Promise

of Investing in High-Quality Preschool

 

Using Early Education to Improve Economic Growth and the Fiscal Sustainability of States and the Nation

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Without improvements in education, demographic changes will make it difficult to cultivate the skilled workforce needed. Fragile state budgets and the deteriorating federal budget situation only compound the need for a strong labor force. Today’s business leaders see that early childhood education is important to future U.S. economic competitiveness and a worthwhile investment. A December 2005 poll of business

leaders shows that more than 80 percent agree that public funding of voluntary prekindergarten programs for all children would improve America’s workforce….

                            Source from Committee for Economic Development (www.ced.org)

     Read the rest of the article.è The Economic Promise of Investing in High-Quality Preschool

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Preschool programs have long prepared children for early educational success, but investing in high-quality early education also offers promising ways to strengthen the future economic and fiscal position of states and the nation. High-quality preschool programs have long-lasting effects, improving students’ outcomes well into their adolescent and adult years. Economically, the long-term impacts of high-quality preschool programs translate into significant public and private benefits, with returns far exceeding the costs. In future, ensuring U.S. economic competitiveness and growth will require a highly educated and skilled workforce.

The positive impact from quality preschool programs on students’ lives increases the likelihood that these students will do better in public school in the future.

 

Implementing  preschool programs for all students whose parents want them to attend is expected to generate significant public and private benefits, producing $2 to $4 in net present–value benefits for every dollar invested. Children who participate in high-quality preschool are more likely to graduate from high school and be gainfully employed and less likely to rely on public assistance like food stamps or welfare.

 

Moreover these children demonstrate higher academic achievement than similar students who do not participate in preschool programs. For example, the children are more likely to get better grades in reading and math. Students are also more likely to adjust to the new environment easily when they enter public school. They already have an experience  socializing with others by learning how to stand in line, participate in a group or take turns.

 

The article below describes the importance of investing in high-quality preschool  to improve economic growth by Committee for Economic Development.

 

 

 

To contact us:

 

 

512/442-2301 Phone

512/912-1731 Fax

Rudi@MainspringSchools.org

 

1100 West Live Oak

Austin, TX 78704

Supporting Quality Early Education