It's Our Business - A message from Business Leaders in New York State

Investments in high quality early childhood programs are essential for economic development. Investing in these early education program benefits us now and in the future. A new analysis from New York State estimates that every $1 spent on early childhood education returns $1.86 in the short term and $4-7 in the future.

• Immediate benefits of dependable, quality early child care and education include less absenteeism by parents, and greater employee retention and productivity. In essence, such programs improve the quality and stability of a community's workforce; characteristics sought by companies looking to bring jobs to communities.
• Birth to Five is a Critical Learning Period: Over the past decade, research has shown that a tremendous amout of a child’s brain growth occurs before age five. And children who attend quality early learning programs are twice as likely to attend college.
• In the future, high quality early child care and education programs enhance early childhood development, prepare children for school, and improve their capacity to work in the future.

Especially in difficult economic times, funding for early childhood programs needs to target programs that have accountability, meet their goals, and show success in their communities.