Promise 3: High Quality Pre-K, Child Care, and Early Learning

FACTS & FIGURES

Brain Development

• Research shows that by age 5, 90% of a child’s brain structure has developed
• During the first years of life, the brain is forming connections that may determine a lifetime of skills and potential

Child Care

• Research into the quality of current child care programs indicates that only 15% are of high quality, while 85% are of mediocre or poor quality
• A significant correlation exists between program quality and outcomes for children
• Research suggests that education of staff is positively related to the quality of care, however recent studies found that only a small percentage of teachers in child care programs have a bachelor’s degree or higher
• Child care staff turnover is high, ranging from 25-50% a year
• Child care center staff compensation, including wages and benefits is exceptionally low, with child care workers among the lower paid of all classes in the U.S
• Close to 70% of young children under the age of 5 are in some form of early care and education settings on a regular basis
• In 2003, a family of three could make no more than 66% of Florida’s median income, or $29,268, to be eligible for subsidized child care
• In 2001, Florida had 40,000 children on the waiting list for subsidized care

High Quality Early Education Benefits

• Research shows that children involved in a high quality early learning opportunity;
• Did better than children not in a preschool program on achievement tests
• Had better attitudes about school
• Were less likely to need treatment for mental impairment
• Were less likely to have to repeat a grade
• Were more likely to graduate from high school
• Were more likely to have a job at age 40
• Had significantly higher earnings
• Had significantly fewer arrests overall
• Were less likely to be arrested for violent crimes or for property of drug crimes
• For every dollar invested in a high quality early learning opportunity there was a benefit of $7.00 to society
• Including savings in educational programs, crime costs, welfare costs, and profit from taxes from higher earnings

Universal Pre-Kindergarten

• Florida provides vouchers for 300 hours in a summer program and 540 hours for year round programs
• 79,494 (35%) of Florida four-year olds are enrolled in a Universal Pre-K Program
• There are 580 public providers of UPK and 3,602 private providers
• According to the State of Florida, all counties have at least one provider of UPK
• For every dollar the state invests into Pre-K the estimated return is $7.16