The Importance of Early Childhood Education

Early childhood education- you may hear this term and think of preschool, daycare or kindergarten; all of these programs play a part in early childhood education. Did you know the first five years of a child's life are some of the most important years in shaping their development and determining life long outcomes? Early education programs play a crucial role in supporting the healthy development of children, aligning them with the best opportunities for success in the near and distant future. Research shows that children who have access and participate in early education programs versus those who do not experience potential learning disparities. Because of evidence shown through research proving the benefits of early childhood education programs, teachers, parents and even politicians have become active participants in the advocacy of such programs. A hot topic in this space is the idea of Universal 3K programs, or pre-kindergarten programs for children of three years of age that are offered free of cost to all members of a community, creating equal access to an early childhood education.

Access to high quality early education programs is imperative for the medium and long term success of every child. Providing a strong program of early care and education starting around birth and continuing through a child’s early elementary years creates a foundation for literacy and future academic success. Early education programs, such as daycare, preschool and kindergarten shape the minds and development of children during their years of most dramatic development and significantly impacts the child’s rate for academic success throughout their lifetime (Advocates for Children of New Jersey, 2023). Despite the proven importance for early education programs, equal access to these programs is restricted, especially to those who belong to lower socioeconomic statuses or are people of color.

In the state of New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy has started an initiative for universal preschool programs to become available in several counties across the state, increasing the accessibility to early childhood education. This initiative includes a ten year timeline with a $17.5 million dollar budget, which has already been accounted for in the FY22 state budget and signed for by the governor. This program will launch in nineteen districts in eleven of New Jersey’s twenty-one counties. In a press conference speaking about his plans to move forward with universal preschool programs, Governor Phil Murphy brought attention to President Biden’s American Families Plan as a way for the state government to reach their goal in providing these programs at a quicker rate than anticipated. However, the American Families Plan has still not become an official act of the government.

Those most impacted by the lack of universal preschool programs and high costs of quality early education programs are families with children who belong to low socioeconomic statuses and the working class. Looking through a macro-level scope, residents all across the state of New Jersey are impacted by the lack of universal preschool programs. Limited access to these programs along with their high costs puts strain on any family of middle class or lower socioeconomic status. The limitations around access to early education and childcare programs places financial burdens onto families along with strains on familial relationships, increases stress in the home, impacts the development of children and impacts the mental health and wellbeing of parents and children alike. It is up to us to push for change and help shape a better, brighter future for the children of today and tomorrow.

Be a part of the change! Sign the petition in the link below to add your voice behind the call to action of making universal preschool programs more accessible for everyone- because every child deserves an equal opportunity at succeeding!

How can we make it happen? A proposed idea in planning for universal preschool programs could be to approach existing preschool and early education programs about making spaces available to children as a universal preschool "spot." The institution would offer however many spaces they could allot with legal student ratios to local residents free of cost, expanding the universal preschool initiative. In return, programs would receive reimbursements and tax credits through the state for helping to give reach to the universal preschool program as a whole. This would ensure that public school districts are not overpopulating their schools, and off-sets time restraints of locating and licensing new facilities to house this program. While these might be possibilities in the long run, it's important we focus our efforts on what can be made possible now, as to ensure immediate positive impact on our future generations. There is no better investment into the future of our society than the investments we put into our children!