Research & Resources

The achievement gap, which is often discussed in the context of K–12 education, begins well before kindergarten. Too many children enter school without the basic social, emotional and intellectual skills they need to be successful as students and in the workforce.

Children who enter kindergarten well prepared are more likely to do well, graduate from high school and go on to college. Investing in early childhood education is an investment in the future workforce.

National business organizations that support early childhood education include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable. 

Policy makers can explore research and best practices for expanding access to and financing for early childhood education from the National Governors Association and the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The Virginia Chamber of Commerce includes early childhood education as part of its Blueprint Virginia 2025: A Business Plan for the Commonwealth, p. 10.

The following articles and reports explain the business and economic case for investing in early childhood education.

Play-Based Learning in Kindergarten Is Making a Comeback. Here's What It Means (Education Week, October 21, 2025)

Reducing Inequalities by Investing in Early Childhood Education and Care | OECD (OECD, January 29, 2025)

The_Economic_Case_for_Investing_in_Birth_to_Three_Infographic_Update_1.pdf

Childcare Benefits Pay for Themselves at US Companies | BCG (BCG, March 26, 2024)

New Report finds New Yorkers want increased investment in child care | The ILR School (ILR, March 11, 2024)

Investments in Children’s Early Years: Creating Brighter Futures (World Bank Group, July 11, 2025)

ECIC Child Care Innovation Fund 2024 Impact Report

The cost of not investing in the next 1000 days: implications for policy and practice - ScienceDirect (The Lancet, November 23-29, 2024)

The labor market case for early childhood education | Brookings (The Brookings Institution, May 19, 2025)