The first five years of a child’s life is widely recognized as a critical time for development. Quality care and education not only contributes to child well-being outcomes by improving physical and behavioral health, educational attainment, and financial security – but provides a solid foundation for lifelong success into adulthood.
A Solution for St. Louis
Children in St. Louis do not begin life on an even playing field – and this has profound impacts for the current generation and generations to come. Given the compounded benefits of early childhood care and education (ECE), investment in a coordinated ECE system has the potential to yield greater workforce participation and economic prosperity, improved health outcomes, reduced crime, and a more equitable region.
Launching Lifelong Success
Launching Lifelong Success: Ensuring St. Louis’ Kids are Ready by Five (2020), connects the science to the solution, providing evidence for high-quality early childhood care and education as an effective and equitable policy investment.
Early investment produces the greatest returns in human capital.”