Access to early education is essential

Delaware can’t afford to wait to build a stronger early education system. If we are serious about making the First State the best place to live, work and raise a family, access to early education is essential.  

When I was a state senator, I worked to identify $30 million to be reinvested into our childcare system at no cost to Delaware’s taxpayers. And as lieutenant governor and the newly appointed chair of the Interagency Resource Management Committee, I will continue to make this my top priority. 

Quality early education from birth to 5 years old establishes a strong cognitive, social and emotional foundation for our youngest minds. Children who receive an early education are 25% more likely to graduate from high school and earn 25% more in wages in adulthood. It’s therefore no surprise that investments in early education have been proven to yield large returns – as much as $4 to $16 for every $1 invested. With these sustaining advantages, it's clear that early education should not be a privilege for some, but an opportunity accessible to all.  

Unfortunately, there are significant barriers to access. Delaware struggles with the same problems plaguing many states. Childcare isn’t always available where and when it is needed, and when care is available, it is often too expensive for even dual-income households to afford. In addition, educators in early learning classrooms are underpaid and work mostly without receiving benefits.  

The problems are complex, and they are costing the First State millions. A 2018 ReadyNation study found that for each year a child under 3 has insufficient childcare, it costs families $5,520 per working parent in lost earnings, businesses $1,640 per working parent in reduced revenue and extra hiring costs, and taxpayers $1,470 per working parent. The economic impact of the early childcare crisis in Delaware is costing us approximately $451 million annually. 

We have the opportunity –and the obligation – to get on the same page. We must be united in a vision of what we can and should provide Delawareans in terms of childcare support. Helping to shape that vision is my goal as chair of the IRMC. I will establish and execute – in partnership with leaders across our state – a comprehensive and coordinated early childhood education strategy to drive individual success for parents and kids, as well as economic advancement throughout the First State. This work is critical, as it is past time that our families and our economy benefit from the types of smart, data-driven investments we know are possible.