Opening Minds. Opening Doors
Starting Strong in the Sioux Empire is an early education initiative aimed at reaching children who need it most, when they need it most. The goal is to give children ages three and four in the Sioux Falls area access to quality pre-kindergarten programs. Too many children from low-income or at-risk families are slipping through the cracks because their families are not able to provide the basic foundations for early learning. They enter school at a distinct disadvantage, reflected in below-average test scores, low self-esteem and poor social skills.
This voluntary program for at-risk kids is designed to ensure all children have an equal opportunity to learn and achieve. Starting Strong also provides flexibility to parents in choosing which preschool program their child attends. National studies prove that short and long-term benefits for the children, their families and the community would be extraordinary.
The Strongest Start of All
Significant studies have been done over the years on the critical aspects of early childhood learning. Researchers know that 85% of the brain's core structure has been developed by age 3. In fact, many experts believe the pre-kindergarten years are the most important of all the school years. This vital development time lays the foundation for language, math, reading, social skills and future success. It has been proven that children who attend quality early education programs: Outperform non-participants in achievements when tested at ages 9, 10 and 14; Graduate from high school at a significantly higher rate than non-participants; Commit fewer crimes; Have higher earnings later in life.
An Investment Guaranteed To Grow
The future of our community starts with our children, and by providing all children with a solid educational foundation prior to kindergarten, we are paving the way for a better tomorrow. Research documents that early childhood education is an economic investment. For every $1 invested in early childhood education, the community receives a $7 return. This is because children with quality pre-kindergarten programs are:
- Less likely to need special education
- Less likely to drop out of school
- More likely to enroll in a 4-year college degree program
- Less likely to be unemployed
- More likely to have higher earnings
- Less likely to commit juvenile and adult crime
- Less likely to depend on public assistance
- Less likely to become teenage parents
"O" Is For Opportunity
Many people in the Sioux Falls area assume programs are already in place to take care of at-risk children. Unfortunately, quality programs like Head Start cannot serve all the children who need it. There are hundreds of children on a waiting list, and many of them will never receive any kind of pre-kindergarten services. Through Starting Strong, we can reach more children than ever before. We can give these children the opportunity to succeed in life, simply by giving them a chance from the very start.
Starting Strong in the Sioux Empire is a community partnership between the Sioux Empire United Way, Forward Sioux Falls, the Sioux Falls School District, and Governor Mike Rounds' 2010 Education Initiative. Research for the program was provided by SD Voices for Children, and it will be facilitated through the Sioux Falls School District. Six local providers (Apple Tree, Excel Achievement Center, Kidz Club Preschool, Sioux Falls School District at Mark Twain Elementary, Volunteers of America-Dakotas, and Youth Enrichment Services) will be accepting preschool students through the Starting Strong program at nine different locations.
For more information on the Starting Strong in the Sioux Empire Initiative, please contact Kerri DeGraff by email or at 336-2095.