Experts and national leaders understand the importance of investing in child development

"Studies show that children in early childhood education programs are more likely to score higher in reading and math, more likely to graduate from high school and attend college, more likely to hold a job, and more likely to earn more in that job. For every dollar we invest in these programs, we get nearly $10 back in reduced welfare rolls, fewer health care costs, and less crime."

President Barack Obama's remarks to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, March 10, 2009

To reach our goal of providing all children with a 21st-century education, we have to be willing to break some china. In order for our children to reach their full potential, we've got to extend this mindset to early education as well. Focusing on our youngest children is not only the right thing to do - it's also the smart thing to do for our future.

Representative George Miller, Editorial in The Hill, March 16, 2009

"Investments in high-quality early childhood programs also produce long-term economic returns that will help the nation pay-off the costs of the economic stimulus package down the road. In addition to improving early learning and development, high-quality early education decreases school failure, increases economic productivity and decreases crime and delinquency. Providing quality early education to every child at ages 3 and 4 is estimated to increase gross domestic product (GDP) by 3.5 percent over the long term."

Steven Barnett, National Institute for Early Education Research

"Economic development schemes based on attracting specific companies or industries often waste taxpayer dollars. Investment in early childhood development, by contrast, yields high and dependable returns, suggesting that expansion of early childhood development programs would aid economic growth."

Arthur Rolnick, Senior Vice President and Director of Research, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis