Why Early Education?
Want to know more about why the Foundation decided to focus on early childhood care and education? Allison Corrado, one of our seasoned program officers, answers questions about the supporting facts and reasoning behind our latest funding opportunity and how it fits with the Foundation’s mission.
Why is the Foundation focusing solely on early education for this round of grantmaking?
We believe early childhood education is one of the best investments we can make. When we support young children in those first few years of life, we see incredible returns on our investment and a higher likelihood of lifelong health.
How does this funding opportunity fit within the Foundation’s mission?
The Foundation has a long history of investing in young children and ensuring the first five years of life are an enriching, supportive and strong start. Our mission is to advance health equity and improve conditions where people live, learn, work and play. We know some young children — often based on race, ethnicity, geography and income — lack access to high-quality early childhood care and education; that is unacceptable.
What’s the relationship between early education and health?
Extensive research shows that high-quality early childhood care and education impact health, and access to these opportunities sets young children on a path for educational success over their lifetime, a factor that directly corresponds to health.
How do the other social determinants of health intersect with early education?
Some young children experience multiple barriers to accessing high-quality early childhood education. Young kids who lack stable housing, or who have parents with low incomes, are much less likely to access quality early childhood education. Additionally, maintaining our workforce depends on child care. Parents need to know their children are safe and cared for so they can stay engaged and focused on their job. The social determinants of health are all interconnected.
What have existing early education initiatives already done to help improve health?
Ninety percent of brain development happens before age 5. Studies have proven time and again that graduates from high-quality early childhood programs are less likely to need special education, end up being arrested fewer times, require fewer social services, and are healthier. Here in Minnesota, children in our Parent Aware Quality Rating and Improvement System programs have made significant gains in kindergarten-readiness measures. In particular, low-income children in quality-rated programs are making the greatest gains when it comes to kindergarten readiness, a strong predictor of lifelong health.
What changes could help jump-start healthier futures for more people?
We need local solutions that work for communities around the state. Our state’s future depends on all our young children having all the supports they need to start strong. Our children deserve the best, and it’s up to adults to put children first.