The State of Our Children Defines the State of Our Union

Federal, state, local and private attention to early childhood years will create a strong State of the Union for now and the future 

WASHINGTON, DC—The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the nation’s leading voice on high-quality early childhood education for children from birth through age 8, issued the following statement today from NAEYC Executive Director Rhian Evans Allvin regarding the State of Union address:

“The State of our country is a reflection of the state of our children and families.  Our nation will be strong when the promise of high-quality early childhood education is made real for all families who want to access it.  High quality early childhood programs are the linchpin to everything we want to accomplish as a nation -- ensuring children are ready for school, read and graduate on time, able to develop the skills that make them successful in the workforce, and be productive members of society.  Our nation is poised through a trifecta of federal, state and local investments and policies to create the world-class education system we have talked about for many years.”

“Investing high-quality early childhood education will stand the test of time.  Economists, business and law enforcement leaders all recognize and support a greater commitment to the early years.  Recent polls show that the public – across political ideologies -- overwhelming supports a greater public investment in early childhood education.  To make real progress for our nation’s children and families, we must seize this opportunity to make these sound investments in quality and access, and work together to ensure every child has a strong start.”

Adele Robinson

Phone: 202-350-8837

Cell: 202-427-4113

arobinson@naeyc.org

NAEYC's mission is to serve and act on behalf of the needs, rights and well-being of all young children with primary focus on the provision of educational and developmental services and resources. Founded in 1926, the National Association for the Education of Young Children is the largest and most influential advocate for high-quality early care and education in the United States.  Learn more at www.naeyc.org

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