WEST SPRINGFIELD - Trustees of the Plan for Progress, a blueprint for economic development in the Pioneer Valley, voted unanimously yesterday to endorse universal early childhood education.

The voice vote came after a presentation linking early childhood education with economic development.

Margaret Blood, president of Strategies for Children Inc. and director of the Early Education for All campaign, outlined the reasons for boosting quality pre-kindergarten programs for children ages 3 to 5.

First of all, the human brain develops more rapidly between birth and age 5 than during any period later in life, so helping children learn how to be focused, follow directions and learn other social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills during that time period is enormously effective, she said. It sets the stage for lifelong achievement.

Studies in Chicago that followed children in good pre-school programs to the age of 20 showed better outcomes for the kids who had early childhood education. Those outcomes include: Less likely to be arrested for a violent crime, less likely to be arrested, less likely to be placed in special education, less likely to drop out, and more likely to complete high school.

That study concluded that every dollar spent on early childhood education gives a return of $7 in higher taxes on earnings and lower expenditures on welfare, prisons, crime and special education, Blood said.

She noted that American businesses lose about $3 billion a year to tardiness and absenteeism among parents who don't have access to care for their children.

The state House of Representatives has passed a bill creating a universal preschool system in Massachusetts, and prospects are good in the Senate, Blood said.

Blood said the goal is to set up a statewide, voluntary, universal pre-school education system by 2012 that has quality standards with well-trained instructors who are paid at the same rate as public school teachers.

Currently, the average pre-school teacher earns about $10 an hour and there's a 29 percent turnover rate, she said.

She said her group is working on a more precise estimate of the total cost, but a rough estimate is that such a system would cost $1 billion a year.

But, she added, it is "one of the best efficacious investments we can make."

Blood said that when money starts to flow from the state to develop and boost programs, "my belief is that the Pioneer Valley will lead the way in the state."

Blood said that's because of the leadership of the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, which has promoted quality early childhood education through its Cherish Every Child Initiative in Springfield, as well as widespread support of the concept among the Valley's legislators, mayors, Springfield's Finance Control Board, and business leaders.

The Plan for Progress, developed in 2004, includes a strategy calling for early childhood development and a strategy team working toward that goal, she noted.