Comprehensive early childhood education is essential to shaping the way children learn and behave. Research shows that quality child care, preschool and afterschool programs impact the physical, cognitive and social development of children. For over forty years, Head Start and a number of other federal programs have successfully provided pre-school as well as health, nutrition, and other services to children from low-income households.  There are also many models for early childhood education that have been developed on the state level. In the state of Connecticut there are over 7,000 children enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start and thousands more are on waiting lists for child care assistance.

The 110^th Congress passed The Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007, H.R. 1429, legislation that expanded eligibility, improved teacher quality standards, and increased accountability for the program.   

I also co-sponsored H.R 2343,The Education Begins at Home Act of 2008.  This bill would increase support services to help families prepare their children to enter school.

Working with the new administration and the 111^th Congress I will continue to support early childhood programs that lay the foundation for the future success of every child.

Here are some reports that give more detail on Early Childhood Education legislation:

• Head Start: Background and Issues
• Early Childhood Education: Preschool Participation, Program Efficacy, and Federal Policy Issues
• The Child Care and Development Block Grant: Background and Issues
• Child Care Issues in the 110th Congress