INDEX OF QUOTES
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Quality costs money. A properly structured program, administered by qualified people, taught by well-trained, compassionate care givers in a healthy, safe, stimulating environment costs money. Our children are worth it. If we don’t spend modest amounts of money in their preschool years we shall pay far greater amounts on remedial and other assistance programs later. It is time we, as a nation, stopped being penny wise and pound foolish and started to invest in our children. It is a modest investment with huge returns. Child care is labor intensive and it is our shame that we do not pay our caregivers a wage commensurate with the value of their work. What insanity dictates that we pay less to those who care for our children than we pay those who care for our garbage. It is an insult to our teachers, but it is an even greater insult to our children. Do we value our children less than we value a clean garbage can? Let us stop this insanity and put our children where they belong, on top of the heap. Pay their teachers well. It is the greatest investment we can make in the future. Quality child care means developing our young people and, therefore, developing the future of the nation. For many years laymen believed that the education of a child began in the first grade. Kindergarten and before were relegated to child’s play. Through education of the laity, we are making it known that child’s play is serious business. Play is the work of children through which they develop as human beings learn to relate to others, find security, and develop the self-esteem critical to their maturing as successful and happy adults. By first grade it is too late to begin this serious work. You have been told that students dropping out of high school is a critical problem across this nation and I will tell you that children don’t drop out in high school. They drop out in kindergarten and merely wait ten years to make it official. If we want to improve education, reduce drop-outs, produce happy and accomplished citizens, employees, managers, and customers for the future, let’s put our money on preschool and early childhood education This is where the human being is developed. Count on it. |
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