Providing high quality early learning experiences can ensure that young children have the social and cognitive skills they need to start school prepared and will help prevent an achievement gap that emerges as young as nine months of age.
High-quality child care can ensure young children are building the foundation they need to learn soft skills, develop basic literacy, and protect against poverty-related risk factors while reducing the learning gap.
Access to child care is also essential for parents to be able to access a job or job preparation program to earn more resources for their children. When parents cannot work because they cannot find or afford child care, they miss out on beneficial raises and promotions.