Children are born learning. And what they learn in those first few years can change the course of their lives. The overwhelming evidence and research demonstrate that high-quality early care and education is a crucial component of a child’s healthy development. This is particularly true when one considers the role of quality early childhood education programs in offsetting sustained toxic stress and adversity often associated with living in poverty. Unfortunately, low-income families are the least likely to have access to affordable, high-quality options for their children – particularly infants and toddlers.
