Opinion | PreK for All: Giving tomorrow’s leaders — today’s youth — the best possible start

The early years of a child's life are crucial in setting the stage for lifelong learning and development. As a former child-care center director and college faculty instructor, I’ve seen firsthand the profound impact that quality early childhood education can have on children, families, and communities.

Michigan's PreK for All initiative offers an unprecedented opportunity to extend access to these early opportunities to all children across our state, and it is imperative that everyone involved in the child-care and educational system is included so that it can be successfully implemented.

In my current role as the executive director of the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children, we support early-childhood educators in all settings working with children from birth to age eight. We provide professional development, networking and advocacy opportunities to ensure that educators have the tools and knowledge they need to offer high-quality early-childhood educational opportunities. 

It’s because of our members and their input that I can say with confidence: the success of PreK for All depends on leveraging the strengths and resources of this entire ecosystem, with the support and commitment from policymakers in bringing it to fruition.

Investing in early childhood education is not just an investment in individual children; it is an investment in the future of our state. Research consistently shows that high-quality early childhood education has lasting positive effects on children’s academic and social outcomes. Children who attend these environments are more likely to succeed in school, graduate from high school, and lead happy, productive lives. 

Still, in order to achieve those positive outcomes, the PreK for All initiative must be inclusive of current providers and expand capacity to meet the growing demand for early-childhood education. This means building new partnerships and strengthening existing ones to create a seamless system that supports children and families.

Further, it is essential to recognize that the success of PreK for All cannot rest solely on school-based systems. The initiative must encompass a wide range of community-based organizations, including YMCAs and Head Start programs. These organizations are integral to the early-childhood education landscape and will continue to play a crucial role in implementing PreK for All. They provide diverse options that meet the varying needs of families, ensuring that parents can choose the best setting for their children.

As this initiative has taken shape, and as a leader in the field, one concern I’ve heard is around the allocation of school-aid money to community-based organizations. It is important to address this misconception. The children who will benefit from PreK for All are the same children who will eventually enter our public school systems. Providing them with access to a strong educational foundation, regardless of the setting, benefits the entire community. This initiative is about giving every child the best possible start, which ultimately strengthens our schools and society.

Moreover, the expansion of PreK for All will necessitate a robust workforce to meet the growing demand for early childhood educators. We must prioritize recruiting, retaining, and supporting these professionals.

Early-childhood education is and should continue to be a desirable and sustainable career path. Data from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and our own Michigan-specific data highlight the need for competitive wages, professional development opportunities, and workplace support to ensure that we can attract and retain the best educators.

Michigan's PreK for All initiative is a bold, transformative step toward ensuring that every child in our state has access to high-quality early childhood education so that they can start school ready to learn and thrive. It is an investment in our children's futures and the future of Michigan.

Policymakers must work collaboratively alongside child-care and educational stakeholders to build a comprehensive, inclusive system that meets the needs of children, families, and educators. Together, we can create a brighter future for all Michiganders – and especially for our future leaders of tomorrow: today’s youth.