It's time to put value on early learning

Research shows that high-quality early care and education programs ensure that children develop skills they need to succeed in school and to become healthy, thriving adults.

As the senior vice president for the Kids Hope United Child Development Programs, I see firsthand every day the need to support early learning programs and to provide affordable child care for the children and families in our communities. Our program supports families by providing accessible, affordable, high-quality child care and early education that encourages the social, emotional, intellectual and physical development of children.

Our six state-licensed facilities are staffed by dedicated early childhood professionals who strive to prepare children for lifelong learning.

This year, the Week of the Young Child is celebrated April 19 - 25 and is a time to recognize the importance of early learning programs in the successful development of our children.

It is also a time to thank the teachers and volunteers who dedicate themselves to early education programs and to the care of our young children.

For the Week of the Young Child, our teachers and volunteers are hard at work planning activities around the theme of the week, "Bring Communities Together for Children-Children Bring Communities Together." I would like to take this moment to thank these teachers, our volunteers, our families and our community for the support that they give to our programs, and to encourage community members, if you haven't already, to get involved and support early learning for children.

Beth Lakier

Kids Hope United

Elgin