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City preschools lay foundation
Chicopee Register, Editorial, March 20, 2008

The 2008 financial outlook for Massachusetts is bleak. But don’t tell that to preschoolers at The Arbors for Kids LLC or at Westover Early Childhood Center on Griffith Road, which is part of the Chicopee/Holyoke/Springfield/ Headstart program.

The tykes there are playing on new computers, reading new books, engaging in projects and benefiting from money well-spent. The cash for these amenities came from state Universal Preschool/Kindergarten grants. Both The Arbor Kids and Headstart demonstrated foresight by applying for and participating in this early education pilot program.

It’s aimed at children aged 9 months to 2 years with the intent of improving the quality of early education and expanding access to preschool programs and services until children are old enough to attend kindergarten.

If. Gov. Patrick has his way, these Universal Preschool programs will grow faster than the little ones they serve.

Patrick’s 2008 budget proposal includes an additional $15 million to expand the state’s Universal Prekindergarten Initiative and $8 million to increase the number of schools that offer full-day kindergarten. The bill has yet to be approved by the Legislature.

We urge lawmakers to vote for it and urge residents to let elected officials know they want it passed.

In the long run, nothing could be more important.

Studies tell us that children’s early years, from birth through age of 5, are a critical period in their life. At this stage, kids are thirsty for knowledge, eager to learn and don’t know the word “impossible” exists. They are highly impressionable and are forming life-long attitudes as they play and work alongside others, learn what to expect of themselves and adults and whether the world is an exciting place or one where frustration and poverty make a mockery of innate optimism.

In fact, research on the importance of preschool delivers shocking findings. Children who attend preschool are less likely to need special education or remedial classes, get higher grades, exhibit more social and emotional maturity, are more likely to graduate from high school and have a lower incidence of illegitimate pregnancy, drug abuse, and delinquent activity. Long-term studies show that adults who attended preschool also exhibit more success.

Yes, all this from early childhood education.

The two Chicopee schools who are taking advantage of the Universal Preschool grants should be lauded. Let’s hope that others follow suit.

And let’s hope that Patrick’s proposal to increase funding is passed. Call you legislators and let them know you care.

Tem them this: Preschool is far more than child’s play.

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