One of the main challenges facing early childhood education in Columbus is access. In many low-income neighborhoods, there are fewer high-quality preschools or daycare centers, and those that do exist are often overcrowded and under-resourced. This means that many children are not receiving the educational and social support they need to develop and grow.
To address this issue, it is essential to invest in expanding access to high-quality early childhood education. This can be done through a combination of public and private funding, as well as partnerships with local community organizations and the larger business community. Franklin County RISE is a great example of collaboration across agencies to provide the funding needed to impact our early childhood education system with a three-pronged approach to supporting families, providers, and educators.
Research has shown that children who attend high-quality early childhood programs are more likely to succeed academically and socially. A key component within Franklin County RISE are incentives to increase quality through the Step Up To Quality star-rating program. These incentives motivate and support providers through the process to improve or maintain high-quality care.
Franklin County RISE takes it a step further recognizing that, it is also necessary to invest in the professional development of early childhood educators, provide them with adequate resources and support, and ensure that they are paid a living wage. Educator sign-on bonuses and housing supports ensure that our educators are able to make ends meet while providing precious care to our most vulnerable populations.
Addressing inequality in early childhood education in Franklin County is crucial to ensuring that all children can succeed and thrive. Franklin County RISE engages in this effort by partnering across the region to provide the funding needed to support all working tirelessly in the early childhood education system. By working together, we can create a brighter future for all our children.