Minnesota’s Reality: Nearly 50% of our kids enter kindergarten already behind COST: $860 million

The Impacts Are Real

Don’t Wait, Kindergarten is Too Late 90% of Brain Development Occurs by Age 5

Licensed center-based child care Licensed family child care Preschool programs Public school-based programs Head Start Early Learning Scholarships All children enter kindergarten fully prepared to succeed in school and life: Greater school achievement Better graduation rates Higher earning potential More productive workforce Return on Investment Eligible children: 3- and 4-year-old children living at or below 185% of poverty (plus younger siblings) Eligible programs: Parent Aware rated or on path to quality rating

Quality Is Key Licensed center-based child care Licensed family child care Preschool programs Public school-based programs Head Start Basic best practices for K readiness Using many best practices for K readiness Demonstrated use of most best practices Excelling in best practice use

The Building Blocks of a Quality System Quality learning environments Proven teaching materials Regular assessment of children Trained teachers

Parents Choice Is Critical Licensed center- based child care Licensed family child care Preschool programs Public school-based programs Head Start Eligible programs: Parent Aware rated or on path to quality rating

Scholarships that Follow the Child Licensed center- based child care Licensed family child care Preschool programs Public school-based programs Head Start Eligible programs: Parent Aware rated or on path to quality rating

Quality Comes at a Cost Itasca County, Licensed Family Child Care Provider Cost: $4,080 per year White Earth Reservation, Full-time 3-Star Child Care Cost: $7,000 per year St. Paul Promise Neighborhood, Part-time 4- Star Public Pre-School Cost: $4,010 per year St. Paul Promise Neighborhood, Full-time Head Start/Child Care Combo Cost: $9,581 per year

The MinneMinds Ask Taking Scholarships to Scale $150 Million Required Annually to Serve 3- and 4-Year- Olds Living at or Below 185% of Poverty Current Public Investment: $23 Million Remaining Need: $127 Million

We’re Not Going Away, It’s Time To Re-Up 2015 Goal Fully fund early childhood scholarships—increase the investment to $150 million annually Join the campaignPresent MinneMinds to others Contact your legislatorsPledge your support

MinneMinds Supporting Organizations