From the desk of Harvest Foundation President Kate Keller
As we are wrapping up the summer, we are preparing for a Fall Summit focusing on Early Childhood Education. This will be an inspiring event dedicated to shaping a system that supports the future of our youngest learners. This summit, scheduled for Oct. 8 at New College Institute, promises to be an eye-opening experience for employers, educators, policymakers, and community leaders alike.
Early childhood education is more than just a stepping stone and babysitting; it’s the foundation upon which the future of our community is built. Research consistently shows that the first five years of a child’s life are critical for their overall development. During this formative period, the groundwork for cognitive, social, and emotional skills is laid. High-quality early education helps children develop the skills necessary for lifelong learning and success.
Investing in early childhood education yields impressive returns, not only for the individual child but for society as a whole. Studies reveal that children who participate in quality early education programs are more likely to perform well academically, have better social skills, and are less likely to engage in criminal behavior in the future. Additionally, these programs often bridge the gap for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing them with opportunities they might not otherwise have.
The Fall Summit will convene a diverse assembly of experts and stakeholders to explore the benefits of early childhood education, focusing on balancing the childcare system to make it affordable for parents, sustainable for centers, and supportive of workforce and community growth.
Your involvement in this space is crucial. By coming together as a community, we can drive meaningful change and ensure that every child has access to high-quality education from the start. Whether you are an employer trying to understand the needs of your workforce, an educator looking for better ways to provide services, or an advocate seeking to change policies, your voice and perspective are invaluable.
We believe that through collaboration and shared commitment, we can address the challenges and leverage the opportunities in early childhood education. Let’s work together to build a brighter future for our children, and by extension, for our entire community. Please join us on October 8th!
