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Welcome to Fairfax Futures
Where Smart Businesses Invest in School Readiness
Greetings!
Spring is officially here, although
many of us are waiting for warm days and colorful blooms to confirm it. Likewise,
advocates are waiting to confirm how the economic stimulus funds will benefit programs
for young children in Fairfax
County.
President Obama touted the
inclusion of $5 billion for early childhood education in the stimulus package in
his speech before the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He tied investments in early education to the
U.S.'s
ability to compete globally for jobs. Here in Virginia, regional bank president Glenn
Kinard of PNC Bank explains why investing in young children's early
education is a smart strategy, even during a recession.
In the editorial at right, I
note that studies show returns typically range between $7 - $17 for every dollar invested in
quality early childhood education programs. Investing in these programs is like
planting bulbs in the fall. Come spring, you will not be disappointed.
Sincerely,
Vera Steiner Blore
Executive Director |
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Obama Highlights Education at U.S. Hispanic Chamber 
In a speech to the U.S.
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, President Obama laid out his plans for education,
saying that when "jobs can be shipped wherever there's an Internet connection,"
education - beginning with early childhood programs - is a prerequisite for
success. He praised the $5 billion included in the economic stimulus package
for Early Head Start and Head Start and called for states to raise the quality
of early learning programs that fall short.
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 Preschool a 'Proven Investment'
Business advocates continue to urge
support for early childhood education. In this editorial, Glenn Kinard, regional president of PNC Bank and former
Fairfax Futures board member, called the Virginia Preschool Initiative a
"proven investment." Kinard added, "The most fiscally conservative among us
should leap at a chance to capitalize on those kinds of returns, even during a
recession."
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U.S. Lags Developed
Countries in Early Care and Education
A new UNICEF report comparing early
childhood education in 25 developed countries found that the U.S. meets only
three of the 10 benchmarks used. The U.S. is near the bottom for access
to paid parental leave, one reason for its high percentage of 0-3 year-olds in
child care. |
 Just What the Doctor Ordered
Parents and caregivers can reach for this list of doctor-recommended books for babies to pre-teens. Reach
Out and Read selected favorite books that promote essential early literacy
skills in celebration of its 20th anniversary this year. |
Is Preschool Really Necessary?
With belt
tightening all around, parents and politicians might ask themselves this question. Here's the short answer, via the
Chicago Tribune.
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Perspectives
Vera Steiner
Blore, Fairfax Futures executive director
This column originally appeared in the March/April 2009 newsletter of
the Greater Springfield
Chamber of Commerce.
Employers throughout Fairfax County recognize that a high quality
K-12 educational system is key to the continued economic strength of our
community. What many may not know is that 85-90 percent of a child's social,
emotional and intellectual foundation is already in place by age five, the year
that most children are just entering kindergarten.
Brain research indicates that
children's early learning experiences from birth to age five have a strong
impact on their ability to enter school ready to succeed and also increase the
likelihood that they will go on to graduate from high school, commit fewer
crimes, and become productive members of the community. When young children
enter kindergarten excited about learning and able to cooperate with the
teacher and their peers, they are well prepared to be successful in school - More
The Greater
Springfield Chamber of Commerce is among the newest members of the Fairfax
Futures' School Readiness Network. For information on joining,
please visit our website.
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