Early Care and Learning
Early childhood care and early learning experiences can play a major role in the development of infants and toddlers and pave the way for success later in life. High-quality, affordable child care, whether it takes place in a child care center or with home-based providers, provides engaging, interactive, and stimulating experiences that build a solid foundation for young children.
83% of parents with children younger than age 6 stated that finding quality affordable child care is a problem in their area.31
Disadvantaged children who do not have high-quality early childhood experiences are 25% more likely to drop out of school, 60% less likely to attend college, and 40% more likely to become teen parents.32
Only 51% of infants and toddlers in the US are read to everyday—an important contributor to language development.33
Early childhood care and learning that teaches active exploration of the world and develops social-emotional skills have been linked to a wide array of positive outcomes in adulthood such as improved physical and mental health, civic engagement, productive employment, educational accomplishments, healthy interpersonal relationships, and more. Despite the evidence demonstrating the benefits of early childhood care and learning, many families struggle to access high-quality child care and learning options, and many caregivers are unable to connect with or are unaware of early care supports that can offer guidance in navigating the earliest months and years.
Access to high-quality early care and learning:
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Provides early intervention and preventative services for parents and families
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Creates secure and supportive environments for children to develop
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Prepares our youngest children with the cognitive, social, and emotional skills for their strongest start in school
“Child care has a two-generation effect when combined with quality early learning: mothers grow their income while children gain the skills to succeed in school and life.”
– James Heckman, Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences in 2000
Excellent early learning and care begins with caregivers, including parents and family members as well as professionals in the early childhood workforce. Ensuring that caregivers have a strong understanding of child development, training, and access to resources that build skills can all contribute to the wellbeing of children in formal and informal care environments by supporting enriching and nurturing care experiences.
To support high-quality early childhood care and learning the Burke Foundation invests in promising and evidence-based programs that:
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Support parents with navigating early childhood development resources and strategies
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Increase the number of qualified early childhood workers, and train and professionalize child care staff
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Support high-quality, sustainable family child care programs
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Equip our youngest children with the cognitive, social, and emotional skills for their strongest start in school