To the editor:

During this election time, I hope we all stop and ask our candidates – and, elected officials – where early childhood investments are on their list of priorities.  Did you know there are only 2,000 days between when a child is born and when they show up at kindergarten?  And, during this time, 90% of critical brain development is happening?

A new bipartisan poll shows that early childhood education is an issue that unites all North Carolinians. Majorities of Democrats, Republicans and Independents – 86 percent of North Carolina voters – support investments in early childhood programs in the state, second only to the economy and far ahead of reducing taxes.  And, they see a direct link between child development and economic development, with 83 percent believing that early childhood investments will help our economy.

Like me, North Carolinians get the connection between a strong start and later success in school and life. They recognize the value of North Carolina’s nationally recognized programs, Smart Start and N.C.-Pre-K, and want to expand access to them.  Locally, the Partnership for Children of the Foothills supports programs that strengthen our early childhood system and our families.  The Partnership for Children of the Foothills works with families, teachers, faith communities, business leaders and educators to ensure healthy development and early learning for children birth to five in Polk, Rutherford and McDowell counties.

North Carolinians have a proud history of innovation and investment when it comes to early learning, and we know more needs to be done. Increased state and federal investments would mean more children would benefit from high-quality early learning programs, which in turn creates better education, health and economic outcomes for everyone in North Carolina.

For more information about early childhood investments in Polk County, contact the Partnership for Children of the Foothills at 828-245-2802.

Thank you,

 

Suzanne Metcalf, Tryon
(Mom, business owner and Partnership for Children of the Foothills board member.)