A Call for Excellence in Early Childhood Education
Early Years Are Learning Years
The demand for early childhood care and education programs continues to increase, not only in response to the growing demand for out-of-home child care, but also in recognition of the critical importance of educational experiences during the early years. Several decades of research clearly demonstrates that high quality, developmentally appropriate early childhood programs produce short- and long-term positive effects on children’s cognitive and social development.
KSAEYC members, most of whom work directly with young children and families, see daily the toll of ill-conceived public policies on the lives of the children and families we serve. Existing programs have too often taken fragmented, piecemeal approaches to the complex issues facing children and families. Effective public policies have seldom been funded at sufficient levels to provide adequate support to all families who might benefit.
KSAEYC believes that our nation and the great state of Kansas are at a crossroads. We can invest now in our children and families and enjoy long-term savings, with a more vibrant nation and state of healthy, achieving children and more stable families. Or, we can fail to make the investment and pay the price: fewer children ready to learn and able to succeed in school and the workplace. Federal, state and local government, communities, parents and the private sector must share in the responsibility of ensuring the well-being of children and families.
Kansas can and must do better to create opportunities that help all children and families succeed. We must develop an integrated system of early childhood care and education that includes comprehensive approaches that directly involve families and communities in program design, implementation and evaluation. The Time For Action Is Now!
Six Easy Steps: Advocacy for Everyone
1. Register to vote!
- Click here to register online.
- Click here to download the voter registration paper form.
- Not sure if you are registered? Search here with a valid driver’s license.
2. Find out who your legislators are, and decide which one or ones you will contact.
- Find out who your local, state and federal representative are using the Open Kansas database.
- Contact a local political party office.
- Call or stop by a legislator’s office in your community.
- VoteSmart and the League of Women Voters are two resources for finding out legislator’s voting records.
3. Decide what types of contacts you will make and how often.
- Write a letter.
- Send an email.
- Make a phone call.
- Set up an appointment to visit.
- Make a note for yourself on your refrigerator or other obvious places reminding yourself of your commitments.
- Jot down in your calendar the dates on which you have decided to take action.
- For tips on writing, calling or visiting legislators, click here.
4. Inform yourself.
- Learn about the issues that are being considered.
- Sign up for the NAEYC Children’s Champion Email List.
- Like KSAEYC on Facebook — we post public policy alerts when a “call to action” is requested.
- Visit Kansas Action for Children, League of Women Voters, or other advocacy websites (see below).
- Join an advocacy group that sends public action alerts.
- Visit the state legislative website.
5. Make a list of key points.
- In your contacts, tell your legislator that you are a registered voter.
- Tell your legislator what is important to you: your general concerns and desires regarding young children and/or your opinion on specific issues and legislation.
6. Make the contacts that you’ve committed to. If you can, get at least one other person to do these six simple steps.
Develop Relationships
State legislators and government officials say that they do not hear from constituents on early childhood education. Visit your legislator! Introduce yourself as a professional early educator (and a parent, if you are one), offer KSAEYC/NAEYC brochures about quality programs and costs, include a personal experience about how quality has made a difference, and ask for his/her views on early childhood education. Periodically keep in touch, especially when you can compliment the official on his/her support for quality early childhood measures.
Additional Advocacy Resources
- NAEYC
- Kansas Action for Children
- Children’s Defense Fund
- National Women’s Law Center
- Zero to Three
- Ounce of Prevention Fund
Photo by Eye for Ebony on Unsplash