Family and community benefits of quality early learning

Quality early learning opportunities clearly benefit our young children and set them on the path to success in school and in life. But these benefits extend beyond our children to our families and communities.

Strengthens families. Quality early learning opportunities involve parents in their child's development, and help strengthen the parent-child bond. Families who participate in programs such as the Nurse Family Partnership and Parent-Child Home Program find support to help them with the challenges of raising a family.

Builds communities. Children who participate in quality early education are more likely to have higher earnings, own a home, and be more productive citizens. Quality education for our children today prepares them for high quality jobs tomorrow. A high quality workforce empowers Pennsylvania to compete nationally and globally, improving the quality of life for all. Every $1 spent on high quality early education saves $7 in reduced future expenditures for special education, delinquency, crime control, welfare, and lost taxes – or an estimated $48,000 in benefits per child from a half-day preschool program (Reynolds et al., 2002)

Click here for excerpts from research that document the family and community benefits of quality early learning opportunities.

 

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