Why is Our Work Important?
Recent brain science and research leave no doubt that positive early childhood development prevents often intractable later problems.
Prenatal brain development, and development in the first year of life, are more rapid and advanced than previously suspected. (Carnegie Task Force on Meeting the Needs of the Young Child, Starting Points)
Children who receive high quality early childhood education, compared with those who have not, are less frequently identified for special education services, complete a higher level of schooling, and as adults, have higher monthly incomes, more home ownership, fewer arrests and utilize a lower percentage of social services. (High/Scope Perry Preschool Project)
From an economic perspective, investing in early childhood education saves society money in the long term by preventing many later social and health problems. The High/Scope Perry Preschool Project’s longitudinal study has estimated that quality early childhood education programs can save society $17 for every dollar invested—as a result of savings in education and social expenditures, combined with gains in productivity.(High/Scope Perry Preschool Project)
Download "Investing in Washtenaw County's Future/Investing in Our Children"
