Research is uncovering the critical role early education plays in a person’s development and future success. However, excellent learning environments for children up to age five are hard to find, and even harder to afford. The research findings about young children’s development and how and when they learn aren’t reaching many parents and caregivers. Despite numerous local efforts, professional child care is still plagued by inconvenience, spotty quality, low wages and high employee turnover. Many families find good care unaffordable, but public and employer support is minimal. Many parents leave children under three with family, friends or neighbors while they work or go to school because they are trusted caregivers and better able to accommodate nontraditional working hours. Supporting these caregivers matters, since the kindergarten preparation of more than half of the county’s low-income children is in their hands.
- Expand caregiving and preschool programs in step with developmental research, such as incorporating "child-initiated" strategies that use play to teach reading and math skills.
- Provide early learning support in familiar settings, tailored to caregivers' customs and language, through trusted community organizations.
- Bring parents together to discuss successes and frustrations in a relaxed atmosphere.
- Foster exchange between early childhood caregivers and K-12 educators, particularly kindergarten teachers.
- Support public/private efforts that enhance parent education and support child care, preschool and other learning environments.
- Translate research on early development into practical materials for parents and caregivers.
- Child Care Resources is leading a countywide effort to provide resources and support to family, friend and neighbor caregivers to help them do the best job they can of nurturing children's development.
- Jumpstart Seattle matches at-risk preschool children with college students who help them develop literacy, language and social skills.
- Talaris Research Institute works to improve the healthy social, emotional and cognitive development of children from the prenatal period through age five by providing parents with practical information to raise their children effectively.
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