More and more resources are coming out making the case that economic investment in young children is good for the American economy and good for America’s current and future workforce. Below are links to some of the latest resources geared toward the business community and policymakers which articulate the need for investments in early childhood education and care. These resources will help encourage business leaders to advocate for young children and help policymakers make the right decisions for America, its economy, and its young children and their families.
- Ready, Set, Go! Why Business Should Support Early Childhood Education
A report developed by the Institute for a Competitive Workforce, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which demonstrates the exceptional effect early childhood education has on the nation’s economic security and the enduring viability of the American dream. The report focuses on scientific, evidenced-based research showing that early childhood education is a proven influence on the economic health and well-being of both individuals and society. ICW argues that the investments in and support of policies related to high-quality, evidence-based early learning programs on the part of American businesses is imperative to the success of the American workforce. The report also includes a step-by-step guide that businesses may use to support and invest in early childhood education in their communities.
- Paying Later: The High Costs of Failing to Invest in Young Children
As states and the nation confront difficult budget decisions, many children’s programs are facing drastic funding cuts. This issue brief from the Partnership for America’s Economic Success (PAES), demonstrates why budget cuts to children’s programs result in much higher short- and long-term costs due to increases in child abuse and neglect, high school dropouts, teen pregnancy, criminal activity, drug and alcohol abuse, and other health problems. The brief aims to help policy makers and the public fully evaluate the consequences of today’s funding decisions. PAES encourages states to “pay now” by investing in evidence-based early childhood programs rather than “pay later” to curb often preventable societal ills. Failing to support programs that can prevent or alleviate adverse life outcomes represents an expensive missed opportunity, argues PAES.
- Mobilizing Business Champions for Smart Investments in Young Children
This paper from Sara Watson and Robert Dugger of the Partnership for America’s Economic Development (PAES) developed in conjunction with First Focus, details the role of business leaders as crucial supporters for the furthering of quality early childhood education programs in the United States. The authors highlight the economic context for business’ investment in education and strategies to recruit and support the business community in advocating for children.
- The Economic Value of the Early Childhood Sector
Another report from PAES which provides concrete information about the vital role early childhood development plays in developing the American economy and workforce by first sharing the estimated total U.S. spending on the early childhood sector (ECS). The estimated annual value of U.S. resources devoted to children from birth to age 5 at close to 2.9% of the gross domestic product (GDP)–greater than spending in the agricultural and utilities sectors and close to spending for the transportation sector. This analysis of the early childhood sector (ECS) will help policymakers recognize the size and scope of the ECS, assess current unmet needs and inefficiencies in the ECS, and evaluate how their decisions affect the ECS as well as the economic and social benefits it produces. The ECS is truly crucial to the growth of the U.S. economy.
- Investing in American’s Economy: A Blueprint for Economic Recovery and Fiscal Responsibility
The report from Our Fiscal Security (a partnership of Demos, the Economic Policy Institute, and The Century Foundation) offers a plan for restoring the nation’s fiscal health and building economic prosperity. The report promotes a variety of public investments–including those in high quality childcare and early education–to promote long-term growth and productivity. Investments in high-quality early childhood education and care can translate into long-term individual and societal benefits including decreases in criminal behavior and increased graduate rates helping individuals enter the workforce at higher income grades and increasing tax revenue. The report also notes that only a small percentage of eligible children are enrolled in quality early care and education programs like Head Start and Early Head Start. It calls for a comprehensive update and expansion of childcare and early education programs and services so that all young children can obtain the benefits of early care and learning.
- The Heckman Equation
This website is devoted to disseminating the work of Nobel Prize-winning University of Chicago Economics Professor Jame Heckman. The work of Dr. Heckman and his colleagues helps us “better understand the great gains to be had by investing in early and equal development of human potential” and provides “solutions to the biggest problems facing America.” Part of the Heckman Equation is investing in educational and development resources for disadvantaged families to provide equal access to successful early human development. The website features several types of resources to help you communicate to policymakers the “tangible benefits for all when we strategically invest early in human capital development.”
- It’s Our Business: Why New York State Business Leaders Support Early Childhood Education
A video funded by the Birth to Five Policy Alliance and created collaboratively by Winning Beginning NY, the Committee on Economic Development (CED), United Way of New York State, and America’s Edge. Highlighting facts related to the impact of childcare on working families and research related to child development and quality early learning, the business leaders call for rigorous accountability and directing funds to early childhood programs with a proven track record of success
