Attn: Early Childhood Educators
Who supports pre-k? Who likes to compete for prizes? Who wants your staff, parents and communities to be more engaged with early childhood advocacy?
That’s right — you do! Join the Pre-K for PA ECE contest “Pre-K Wins” between now and May 23. The programs that sign up the most campaign supporters — relative to the size of your program — will get some great prizes and advance an important cause.
Click here to join the Pre-K Wins early childhood programs contest.
MAY 1, 2014- Giving every child access to a quality pre-k education….
That’s the goal of a new coalition introduced this morning.
Co-chairs Nick Scott Jr. and Ronald DiNicola unveiled their “Pre-K for PA for NWPA Campaign.”
The non-partisan campaign is looking to improve and better access to pre-k learning opportunities for all children in Pennsylvania.
Scott says public funds in the commonwealth for pre-k are less than 20 percent and he says there is a need for more.
Scott and DiNicola have already gone before local stakeholders and plan to campaign for more community support in the upcoming weeks.
Read the full article on YourErie.com
By Sara Watson, National Director of ReadyNation/America’s Edge
There are many compelling reasons for supporting high-quality pre-kindergarten education. You might be told quality pre-k programs can lead to reductions in crime, improvements in public health and nutrition, and stronger families—all of which are true. But there are strong, bottom-line economic benefits as well.
The business leaders of ReadyNation/America’s Edge know this, which is why we are dedicated to strengthening businesses by expanding quality pre-k opportunities. These programs bring immediate and long-term benefits to families and communities.
IMMEDIATELY, we see a return on investment in the sale of local goods and services that outpaces many other economic sectors. Pre-k programs also create jobs; in fact, according to the IMPLAN economic data for Pennsylvania, a $1 billion investment in high-quality pre-K would create almost 28,000 jobs in Pennsylvania, including 5,600 jobs outside the early learning sector. In addition, quality pre-k programs help to reduce employee absenteeism, a problem that costs U.S. businesses $3 billion annually.
IN THE FUTURE, we will have a stronger workforce made up of children who were given a strong foundation for success and grew into productive adults. High-quality pre-k programs, especially for disadvantaged children, can increase high school graduation rates, the likelihood of being consistently employed, and lifetime earnings as well.
We know that quality pre-k is essential for our kids and for our economy. Now it is up to us to make it happen for Pennsylvania’s children.
Sara Watson is the National Director of ReadyNation/America’s Edge. To view the report “Strengthening Pennsylvania Businesses through Investments in Pre-Kindergarten,” please click here.
Get a free Pre-K for PA sticker
Wear your Pre-K for PA sticker on primary election day in Pennsylvania: May 20, 2014. Order a free sticker for you and your friends by end of day on Monday 5/12. We’ll send it to you before election day.
Click here to order your free sticker.
Thanks for everything you do for Pennsylvania’s children.
