Ready for School, Ready for Life

Being able to write your name, follow directions, share with others, and demonstrate early literacy skills are just a few of the measures of school readiness children are expected to have mastered before they begin kindergarten. Here in the U.S, most states offer pre-kindergarten programs, but the quality varies, and children living in poverty are less likely to have access, and less likely to start kindergarten ready to learn.

Across the country, less than 50% of children from low-income families attend high-quality early childhood programs. Expanding access to these is crucial in bridging the gap between children experiencing poverty and their wealthier counterparts, because because early interventions can break the cycle of poverty for multiple generations.

Early childhood education, particularly from birth to age 5, can transform children’s and families’ lives in many ways, including:

Maximizing peak brain development years: The first five years of life are a critical time because children’s brains are at their most flexible, and they absorb information like sponges. Their senses – touch, talk, sight, and sound – are all part of experiential learning that prepares children for a lifetime of learning. The experiences and relationships formed during this period of rapid brain development build a foundation for future learning and success — waiting until kindergarten is too late, according to the nonprofit Start Early.

Ensuring school readiness: With the benefit of quality early education, children are ready to learn when they start kindergarten, which is when the gap between those who have and have not attended preschool is most evident. Early learners also have greater early literacy and math skills, and they experience more cognitive and social-emotional growth. Children who are school-ready have an 82% chance of mastering basic skills by age 11. If not, the chances drop to 45%, and they are more likely to lag during and after their school years.

Driving greater success during school years: Children who receive quality education before kindergarten are better prepared academically for the later grades and more likely to graduate from high school. They are less likely to be identified as having special needs, to repeat grades, and get suspended.  

Benefiting students and society in the long term: Early education has lasting impacts on children — those with access are more likely to graduate college and earn more money when they start working. A 2019 Learning Policy Institute review of returns on investments for preschool education found that for every dollar invested in early childhood programs, society sees a return of between $2 and $17, with benefits that include more high school graduates, lower incarceration rates and fewer families living in poverty. The largest impact comes from high-intensity programs.  

Providing day care lifts up low-income and historically disadvantaged families: Many families cannot afford quality, licensed day care. The average cost of quality day care in the United States ranges from $17,200 for a preschooler to $28,800 for an infant. This can lead to one parent dropping out of the workforce to care for children. With access to quality early childhood education, both parents can hold down a job while their child is cared for and learns.

Providing quality early childhood education is a means of promoting equity and social justice, inclusive economic growth, and advancing sustainable development. While many states have expanded their offerings for children who are 3 and 4, preschool is still far from universal. Experts say it is time to move beyond the debate on whether to invest in preschool education and instead focus on ensuring the investments pay off through quality learning.

Comic Relief US is proud to fund early childhood education programs through our partners Start Early, Jumpstart, and the We Care Foundation, organizations that are dedicated to making sure all children can have access to quality early learning support and reach their full potential.

Learn more about Comic Relief US's support for education programs, including extracurricular initiatives and STEAM learning.

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