Invest Early - Enrich Tomorrow's Workforce

• Investing in early childhood education is an investment in the future success of your company. Labor statistics show that jobs requiring science, engineering and technical training will increase from 51% from 1998-2008 — four times faster than overall job growth. By 2008, some 6 million job openings will exist for scientists, engineers and technicians. This requires a continuous pipeline of well-educated, trained students in our county with the preparation and skills to meet this growing demand.

• Countries across the world are outpacing the United States in their academic achievements in science and mathematics. Research tells us that, by age 21, children who have received high quality child care had significantly better math and reading skills and were more than twice as likely to go to a four-year college.
   
  To learn more about the economic impact of early childhood education, visit:

Investing in Young Children: New Directions in Federal Preschool and Early Childhood Policy

The ABCs of Early Childhood Development

Report from a conference on the economics of early childhood development.

Early Childhood Finance

Linking Economic Development and Child Care

The Economics of Early Childhood Policy

• Our county boasts a diverse community, a thriving business sector, and a celebrated school system. Help us continue our longstanding history of success in Fairfax County by investing in our county's youngest children - and our county's future workforce - so that they are prepared for school and life.

Support Employees of Today

• The percentage of the county's female labor work force employed outside the home increased from 43% in 1970 to about 66% in 2004. Families with both parents working outside the home increasingly rely on child care and early childhood educators to help educate young children and prepare them for successful transition to school.

• Children who receive quality early childhood education are better able to transition smoothly into kindergarten and are less likely to require remedial support and costly assistance throughout grades K-12. As a result, parents are better able to focus on their work and are less likely to have unscheduled leave from work to address remedial issues during the first twelve years children are in school.

• Businesses consider their employees to be their most valuable asset. Today, you have the opportunity to give your employees pride and satisfaction - knowing that their children are benefiting from quality early childhood education in the county. Confidence and security at home can go a long way in making your employees be successful at work.