This issue of Insight, a GCYF publication focusing on emerging and important topics for grantmakers, explores how to build the case for increased public investment in early childhood education.

For a variety of reasons, early childhood programs and services have never been publicly funded and available to all children in the U.S. Philanthropic investment in early childhood care and education has been making great strides and is clearly critical to ensuring quality early childhood programming and services.

Recent economic research calls into question the effectiveness of a first through 12th grade public system. Evidence suggest that the earlier skill formation starts the better. Researchers have been able to quantify the cost-benefit of early education programs compared to remediation. Philanthropic investment in early childhood care and education has been making great strides and is clearly critical to ensuring quality early childhood programming and services.
 
This publication captures the vision in the work of our colleagues who have taken on a range of approaches to increase public investment in early childhood care and education. The articles introduce and explore a range of strategies grantmakers can use to communicate the benefits of increased investment in early childhood with key stakeholders, including business leaders, foundation trustees, public officials and community leaders.

Members can read and download this issue in the Resource Library. Non-members are invited to read and download the introduction below.

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