Early childhood is a critical time for determining life success for individuals. It is increasingly clear that a high quality early childhood care and education system is a key competitive advantage for regions, states, and countries. High quality care can fundamentally change the life trajectories of at-risk children, help all children reach their full potential as workers and citizens, and, in turn, influence public expenditures and long-term economic growth. More than 80% of Minnesota children are in non-parental care for an average of 27 hours per week.
