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Research shows that early experiences affect the development of brain architecture and provide the foundation for all future learning, behavior, and health. Providing children with high-quality early care and education will help to ensure that they are prepared to be successful students and thriving members of their communities.
Unfortunately, high-quality early care and education, particularly for children below age 4, is neither accessible nor affordable for many Louisiana families. As a result, Louisiana employers lose a significant amount of money every year from employee absences and turnover due to childcare issues ($762 million), and the Louisiana economy as a whole loses $1.3 billion from childcare breakdowns.
Right now, Louisiana spends less than half of 1% of state dollars on early care and education.
Increasing access to affordable high-quality early care and education in Louisiana allows parents to go to work or school; provides businesses with a reliable workforce; provides a stable funding stream too early care and education providers, which are usually small businesses owned and operated by women of color; and ensures children enter kindergarten ready to learn, reducing the likelihood the state will have to pay for remedial education efforts later in that child’s life.
450 Laurel Street, Suite 1900
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 382-3750
c100@c100la.org