Did you know that nurturing high-quality early learning opportunities benefits the entire community?
Economists have found that high-quality early childhood education offers one of the highest returns of any public investment – more than $7 for every dollar spent. Building a strong network of programs and partnerships for local young children and their parents is vital for our shared future.
That’s why we are committed to supporting early learning connections like the 2017 'Indiana Summit for Economic Development via Early Learning Coalitions' and the annual Early Childhood Excellence Awards.
We appreciate the work of all those, including the staff at member agencies Monroe County United Ministries, New Hope Family Shelter, and Middle Way House, who provide young children and families with care, support and learning opportunities. So we were proud to join again with Monroe Smart Start, WTIU, and the Community Foundation to present the Early Childhood Excellence Awards on April 27. It was rewarding to recognize the growing number (a 40% increase) of high-quality providers that have achieved Paths to Quality Levels 3 and 4 as well as the 18 dedicated Early Childhood Excellent Teacher Award winners who were nominated by their directors. Click here see photos from the event.
United Way was also proud to co-sponsor the 2017 'Indiana Summit for Economic Development via Early Learning Coalitions' on June 5. The statewide conference, held for the first time in Bloomington, emphasized the importance of investing in early childhood for the economic and educational future of our community. Not only do children benefit from having affordable, accessible, and high-quality childcare, but their parents also have an opportunity to know their child is in a safe environment and developing the range of skills so necessary for life and career. If you’d like to learn more about why early learning matters visit www.elacindiana.org.
Thanks to supporters like you, we have been investing in these types of efforts for many years and we continue to see the positive impact they make on children and families. And coalitions like Monroe Smart Start, co-sponsored by United Way and the Community Foundation, have helped us bring together business, education, civic, and other community leaders to further develop and sustain early learning in our community.