Idaho’s working families become strong when they have safe, affordable options for child care and early childhood education options, write guest columnists Paula Kellerer and Robert Sanchez. (Getty Images)
As the dust continues to settle post-election in Idaho, our newly-elected and re-elected leaders will be putting aside the hustle and grind of campaigns to move toward a time for action. Idaho Business for Education and the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children, together with stakeholders across the political spectrum, call on these leaders to recognize that the future economic health of our state hinges on the opportunities we provide our youngest learners. The link between early childhood education and economic prosperity is undeniable.
Working families become strong when they have safe, affordable options for care as they work and raise their kids and when those kids are in high-quality settings, they are much more likely to excel academically and contribute positively to our economy.
From a business perspective, the equation is simple. When parents struggle to access affordable, high-quality early care, they make decisions to leave the workforce, leading to productivity losses and reduced economic growth. Subsequently, our businesses cannot hire or retain the workers they need. Self-reliant families with two incomes are faced with economic challenges when they have no options for quality care. This is a lose-lose scenario.
High-quality child care isn’t just a support system for working parents; it’s a foundational platform that cultivates future leaders and innovators. Without this foundation, we risk economic stagnation and widened educational disparities.
Educationally, the stakes are equally high. Early learning champions like preschool teachers and child care providers are not just caretakers but educators who lay the groundwork for lifelong learning and success. These are professionals that work alongside moms and dads because our children that experience quality early education are more likely to excel academically and socially, essential traits for a vibrant economy.
Children who have access to high-quality early education are more likely to read at grade level by third grade, graduate high school and go on to college or vocational training. But right now, too many children in Idaho are missing these opportunities, particularly in rural areas and lower-income communities where access to quality care is limited. Without these foundational skills, the transition to kindergarten becomes a significant hurdle, and the gap only widens as children progress through school.
The challenge to improve Idaho’s early care and education system is at our doorstep. We cannot continue to exist in a state of denial about how much we need to do to create the options that ensure strong families and a strong economy. Idaho’s political and business leaders, whether battle-tested or newly-rising, are called upon to navigate this crucial juncture. Investments today will secure a prosperous, dynamic Idaho tomorrow.
In a time of national unrest and division, let us embrace a common cause to make Idaho a national leader and unite to create a future where every child can thrive and contribute meaningfully to our great state.
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