Why Quality Matters

The Case for Quality

Choosing high quality early childhood care is important because:

• 90% of brain development occurs by age five
• 65% of York County children under the age of six have parents that work outside the home
• Economically disadvantaged children enter kindergarten 1-2 years behind in language and other skills necessary for school success
• Children who receive quality early childhood education enter school ready to learn.  They have better social skills, are less likely to need special education services or have to repeat a grade and more likely to graduate from high school
• Every $1 invested in high-quality early childhood education saves $17 in costs associated with juvenile delinquency, teen pregnancy, high school failure and unemployment