Florida, and the nation for that matter, is facing a crisis in early childhood education.
The challenge is not that early learning programs are ineffective or that parents do not believe programs will benefit their children. It’s that families simply can’t afford it.
In Florida, the average annual cost of childcare is $9,238. For 4 year olds it is $7,282. For many families, it is not financially feasible to enroll their children in an early learning program. That only widens the achievement gap that shows a strong correlation between family income and academic success.
Unfortunately, not every child in Southwest Florida has the same educational opportunity to participate in an early learning program. Based on financial guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, only 13.2% of Florida families can afford child care.
Low-income families often have two options: enroll their children in an early learning program and fall further into debt, or keep their children at home and hope they don’t fall too far behind their peers once they enroll in kindergarten. That is unacceptable.
Providers of preschool education are also feeling the pressure. During the pandemic, the federal government provided funding to keep dozens of centers operating in Southwest Florida, but that program ended last fall. Quality early learning programs are expensive; Money is needed to pay for certified teachers, academic materials and a safe learning environment, but centers cannot pass these costs on to families who do not have the resources to pay for them.
As a nonprofit organization with five local early learning centers, our team at Child Care of Southwest Florida witnesses the struggles of families every day. Reliable childcare is often the glue that holds low-income families together. Without this, children cannot learn and parents cannot work. That’s why Child Care of Southwest Florida offers numerous resources, including scholarships, to help bridge the gap.
These grants can change lives. Thanks to support from local businesses, organizations and individuals, and generous contributions from United Way, Child Care of Southwest Florida’s scholarship program provides tuition assistance that covers costs for families who need it most. Last year alone, the organization provided financial assistance to 100 children in Lee and Hendry counties, with partial and full scholarships totaling approximately $129,000.
When these programs are not affordable, parents are faced with the heartbreaking choice between paying the tuition or quitting their job to stay home. It’s a no-win situation that costs everyone money.
In fact, early childhood education provides taxpayers with a return of 7-10% per year for every dollar invested, due to future lower costs for remedial education, health care, criminal justice system expenditures, and the tax revenue generated from higher revenues.
The benefits of a high-quality early learning program are critical in preparing children with the academic and social skills they need to thrive. Without this they are:
· 25% more likely to drop out of school.
· 40% more likely to become a teenage parent.
· 50% greater chance of being placed in special education.
· 60% more likely to never go to college.
· 70% more likely to be arrested for a violent crime.
These statistics highlight the importance of our mission at Child Care of Southwest Florida, which is to strengthen and prepare young minds for the future during their most formative years. Access to high-quality education at an early age ensures that even the most disadvantaged children can succeed in school and in life.
Community investments in early childhood education yield significant benefits. Companies that support quality programs see more stable employment among their workforce because parents can keep their jobs and maintain financial stability. This in turn stimulates the local economy.
Children from low-income families are reported to have academic proficiency rates that are 50% lower than those of their peers, and often struggle with school and life. Investing in quality early education can break the cycle of generational poverty, enabling parents to pursue education and stable employment, paving the way for a better future for their children.
At our nonprofit early learning centers, we know how impactful scholarships can be for the families we serve. These are not handouts. On the contrary, they are a means of supporting the parents who we see working hard to improve their situation. Parents must work or go to school, and many do both: work full or part time while earning a high school diploma, vocational diploma, or college degree. With a little help, these parents can extricate themselves from difficult economic situations.
Let’s invest in our children, strengthen our families, and build a stronger, more resilient community. Child Care of Southwest Florida stands ready to partner with businesses, organizations and others in the community on solutions to expand access to high-quality early learning programs. We also coordinate the Florida Child Care Mandated Training and Competency Exams across the five counties so that centers are well equipped to provide quality care.
Together we can make a difference. Every child deserves to thrive. For more information about sponsorships and opportunities at Child Care of Southwest Florida, visit CCSWFL.org or call 239-278-1002.
Chris Hansen is CEO of Child Care of Southwest Florida, a nonprofit children’s education organization serving more than 350 students ages 6 weeks to 8 years old at five early learning centers in Lee and Hendry counties. Visit CCSWFL.org for more information.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Making early childhood education affordable for low-income families
