Investing In Early Childhood Builds A Stronger Workforce

Kendra Davenport is the President and CEO of Easterseals.

We talk a lot about the future of the workforce—about building pipelines, recruiting talent and reskilling employees to meet the demands of a rapidly changing economy. But we often overlook when the foundation of that future truly begins: the first five years of life. Did you know that most brain development occurs before the age of five? This lays the critical foundation for learning, behavior and health. For corporate leaders concerned with long-term productivity, talent pipelines and even the health of local economies, supporting early learning is smart business.

Our organization sees this connection every day. Through our Head Start and Early Head Start programs, we provide no-cost, high-quality preschool education to children from low-income families. We prepare children from ages 0-5 with and without disabilities to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. But just as importantly, we provide parents with services that enable children to participate in early childhood education programs, including housing and employment assistance, food security and transportation.

Why Should Early Childhood Education Matter To Employers?

When families can access reliable early childhood programs, they’re able to stay in the workforce. If not for certain early childhood programs, the cost of childcare could push many parents out of the workforce altogether.

That’s not an isolated issue. The U.S. economy loses an estimated $78 billion annually due to insufficient childcare—through lost earnings, productivity and tax revenue. Businesses alone absorb over $13 billion of that loss in absenteeism. We’re paying the price for not investing in our youngest learners.

But the benefits of high-quality early education go far beyond workforce participation. Decades of research have shown its ripple effects on educational attainment, public health and economic mobility. For example, an MIT study of Boston’s universal preschool program revealed that children who won a preschool seat through a randomized lottery were significantly more likely to graduate from high school, enroll in college on time and avoid suspension or juvenile detention. The academic outcomes are just as compelling. One study found that “children who participate in two years of Head Start (as opposed to one year) have stronger academic, cognitive, and social literacy skills upon exiting” the program and going to kindergarten. These are more than just kindergarten milestones; they’re the building blocks for lifelong learning and employability.

According to Georgetown University, by 2031, 72% of U.S. jobs will require a college degree. High-quality early childhood education puts kids on a trajectory toward success. For business leaders thinking about the workforce of tomorrow, the lesson is clear: If we want a pipeline of skilled, healthy and resilient workers, we need to start building these foundational skills in preschool.

Supporting Early Childhood Education

Investing in early childhood programs is a critical way businesses can ensure they are investing in the future of the workforce, but they can also support early childhood education in many impactful ways beyond direct investment in programs. Employers can provide childcare benefits or subsidies that make quality care affordable for working parents, offer flexible work schedules to accommodate caregiving needs and create partnerships with local early learning centers to expand access. Some companies invest in community early education initiatives or sponsor parental education programs to strengthen family engagement. By adopting family-friendly workplace policies and supporting early learning broadly, businesses not only stabilize their workforce but can also help foster healthier communities that sustain long-term economic growth.

Support for early childhood is a vital investment in talent development, employee stability and community resilience. It’s a strategy that yields returns in workforce readiness, economic growth and stronger families, and it’s our nation’s hardest-hitting tool for building a workforce that works for everyone.

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