Posted on 05.12.2015, Tuesday

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The House is starting its budget cycle, which means the budget for early education will be decided on in the next two weeks. Make your voice heard and help make sure it delivers a solid investment in early care and education!

What can you do to help?

Urge Appropriations leader to support early education today! Let the House Appropriations leaders know that you want them to continue the current funding investments in North Carolina’s nationally recognized early education system and its three signature programs—Smart Start, NC PreK and Child Care Subsidies.

High-quality early education is a critical part of ensuring a great future for North Carolina, and it’s up to us to tell our leaders why.

• Early education is a solid investment.  Every dollar invested produces a 7-10% annual return, and yields saving in fewer special education placements, higher graduation rates, reduced crime, higher earnings, and less reliance on social services.
• Early education produces better educational outcomes for children. Children participating in Smart Start and NC PreK had higher third grade reading outcomes. High quality early childhood programs increase graduation rates by as much as 44%.
• Early education promotes a skilled and educated workforce. Young children learn critical cognitive, math, reading, writing and social skills – skills required for a competitive workforce in today’s global economy.
• Early education supports jobs and working parents, and keeps the state’s economy strong. Parents with young children in my employment are more reliable and productive while at work, contribute their skills and talents to my business, pay taxes, and keep North Carolina moving forward.

Send a message to your own legislators as well as House Appropriations leaders. You can write your own message or use the NC Child Care Coalition’s action center to send a message.

We have an opportunity to advance early education this legislative session, and we need your active participation now to make it happen. Don’t delay – share your story about why early education matters to you!