What are your concerns about the lack of affordable, high-quality early childhood education for all children? What impact do you think this will have on a child's success in life?

All children must have the opportunity to receive the "same" early childhood education so they will have the same foundation for the standards required by NCLB.
—Marina Russo, East Detroit Federation of Teachers, MI

As an educator in inner-city Cleveland, Ohio, I see daily the results of our students coming to school already behind the eight ball, so to speak, because they had no early childhood education. They spend a good portion of their early years in elementary school struggling to catch up to those with parents who work with their children or who sent them to preschool.
—Jill Mintzlaff, Cleveland Teachers Union

Quality early childhood education provides a firm foundation for learning and prepares children to face their educational years better. I do not mean pushing academics to a younger age, but allowing young children to be in a group setting where they can thrive socially and emotionally, which helps them academically later on. Quality early childhood education also means quality pay for early childhood professionals who are well-trained in the field of early childhood education, including human growth and development.
—Peg Norton, NYSUT, NY

One problem that absolutely must be solved is improvement in wages and benefits for the early childhood educators, as well as access to education and professional development. Many are committed to the work but cannot afford to get the education due to the low wages, and others who do get their credentials quickly move on to better-paying jobs in schools or other agencies. High turnover rates affect children, and this issue must be resolved to ensure children can form bonds and build trust with their caregivers and to ensure that early childhood educators are recognized as professionals.
—Joanne McCaughan, OCCWA, AFT Washington

My major concern about early childhood education is that there is so little of it. All studies show that students who received early childhood education are more likely to graduate from high school and go to college. These students are less likely to have reading difficulties or end up in prison. The pros outweigh the cons. So why aren't we putting our money were it will count?
—Maureen Gallant, Lynn Teachers Union, MA

My major concern about early childhood education is that the funding for and focus on music education is declining even though research is constantly showing us the importance of this subject for brain development.
—Christopher Sego, Orange County Teachers Association, FL

Our children are not getting the best we have to offer. A lack of affordable early childhood education has increased the dropout rate among teenage mothers. It has been proven over and over again that those children who have had the benifit of a quality early childhood education are better prepared and have a more complete foundation to begin their education.
—Denise Turner, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, PA

My major concerns about early childhood education are the conditions under which early education teachers are expected to teach.
—Clifford D. Worden, Michigan Education Association

Preschool needs to be incorporated into the public school system where families have the option to send their child to preschool for FREE. These children will excel in classroom behavior, social skills and academics.
—Flora Mendoza, Albuquerque Assoc. of Education Assistants

I have a degree in Early Childhood Education from Rivier College and understand the need for HIGH QUALITY programs. This is necessary in both the private and public sector. ALL children at this delicate age are "special" and deserve highly educated and qualified professionals.
—Nancy Hamann, Nashua School District, NH

It has been proven that programs such as Head Start are effective in helping low-income students catch up with their middle-class peers. Students who participate in these programs do better on standarized exams, have higher graduation rates, are more likely to find steady employment, and are less likely to need public assistance. These programs strengthen our communities and prepare our young people to be successful in a global economy.
—Kelly Neely, Greece Teachers Association, NY

I am concerned about the high turnover rate of educators, since often these teachers are VERY underpaid.
—Janice Spohn, North Allegheny AFT, PA

We have forgotten children need to be children and play! They learn valuable skills just from playing. Personally, I feel too much emphasis is being placed on "early childhood" education and we need to rethink starting 3-year-olds in school.
—Debra Bicker, Louisiana PEG Group

I have previously worked in a school with a Head Start program. This program really helped children from impoverished backgrounds, and often from homes where English was not spoken, learn the skills necessary to prepare them for kindergarten.
—Gloria Rubin, Fairfax County Federation of Teachers, VA

My major concerns about early childhood education are the size of classrooms and the staff/child ratio. The Houston Independent School District has 22 students in the classes for children who are from low-income families or who have a different home language. They have turned early childhood classes into watered-down kindergarten.
—Diane Mintz, Houston Federation of Teachers, TX

I am a Kindergarten teacher in a small rural area. The children that come to me who have not gone to a high-quality preschool program are significantly behind those who have. They do not have the social skills to interact in a classroom of other children.
—Lea Rhoden, Clay County Education Association, FL