Federal and city officials joined some early childhood advocates in showing their support for President Obama's "Early Learning Initiative" Friday.
The program calls for 75-billion dollars to expand high-quality preschool for every child. That’s through allowing low-income family’s access to high-quality preschool providers at a significantly lower cost and expanding voluntary home visiting programs that support parents with young children among others.
In an effort to grow support around the President's initiative, a series of planned events are taking place around the country and state - as part of a national campaign “Early Learning Days of Action.”
"As municipalities deal with severe fiscal challenges, I believe we in the federal government have to continue to keep these programs funded to increase our investments so we can reach every family in need," Representative Louise Slaughter says during a press event at the Rochester Childfirst Network. “It is way past time for us to create the opportunity for all our children, and not just a fortunate few."
Studies show that 85 percent of a child's brain develops within the first 5 years of life.
“This is where early literacy happens and where the foundation for learning starts in these first years," says Carolyn Lee Davis, a policy analyst for the Children's Agenda and the co-chair of the Rochester Early Childhood Development Initiative.
According to Davis, at least 60 percent of children who are eligible for childcare subsidies or home care visiting programs cannot access them. That's why she says increasing access to pre-kindergarten to all four-year-olds would enhance theirs skill sets so they can grow up to be successful neighbors, citizens and employees.
“We have three-year olds on waiting lists for U-Pre K programs; We have four year olds that we don't have enough state funding for,” says Davis. “This is why we need increased federal investment is to really cover those additional costs to help families and kids get this start and support."
There are ten "National Early Learning Days of Action" events happening in New York until June 14.