WE CAN DO BETTER:  In Minnesota, we spend public and private resources on early care and education programs, but we know little to nothing about whether these expenditures effectively support the development of our youngest children.  And we know that many families are unable to access quality pre-school programs because they cost too much or are unavailable.  Minnesota has the highest percentage of working parents in the country, yet many of the child care providers on whom they must depend know little about supporting the healthy development of their children in ways that lead to school readiness.

WE WILL DO BETTER:  The Minnesota Early Learning Foundation is up and running.  This Foundation will do the research to find the most cost effective ways to prepare our at-risk children for school and the workforce.  We will demonstrate what works, make recommendations for reinvesting public and private resources and find new ways to reach and support at-risk children.
Early investments reap dividends as child development now translates into economic development later on.  A child with a winning start becomes a part of a solid community, contributes to our competitiveness and enriches our society.