Kaplan Early Learning Company Commits to Invest in US Challenge
Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) December 10, 2014 -- Kaplan Early Learning Company has joined the launch of Invest in US, a national campaign and challenge issued today by President Barack Obama to business leaders, philanthropists, advocates and public officials to build a better nation through high-quality early childhood programs for children from birth to age five. Kaplan Early Learning Company joins dozens of corporations, foundations and nonprofits that have also pledged significant commitments – financial and otherwise – to making sure that more children and communities have high quality early childhood education programs.
As part of Invest in US, Kaplan Early Learning Company announced its commitment of more than $1 million dollars over the next three years to the field of early care and education. As part of this commitment, Kaplan will support projects and initiatives designed to reduce childhood obesity, increase physical activity, close the reading gap and ensure a successful transition to kindergarten for young children.
“Kaplan is proud to partner with organizations such as the Nemours Foundation, DonorsChoose.org, Child Care Aware of America and the National Head Start Association to support and advocate for the expansion of quality early childhood education programs across the United States,” said Becky Fox, Vice President of Governmental and Strategic Partnerships at Kaplan Early Learning Company. “These investments are critically important to our youngest learners and hard-working families.”
The Invest in US challenge was announced by President Obama today at the White House Summit on Early Education. Organized by the First Five Years Fund and its philanthropic partners, Invest in US catalyzes the overwhelming cross-sector support for early childhood education. In his last two State of the Union addresses, the President made early childhood education a key policy priority. Since his initial call to expand access to high-quality early childhood education to every child in America in his 2013 State of the Union Address, the President has proposed a series of new investments in early childhood education, and more than 30 states and cities have established new programs or expanded access to preschool. Just this year, the President told the nation that he would bring together elected officials, business leaders and philanthropists to galvanize efforts and help more children access the high-quality early childhood education they need. The Invest in US challenge answers that call.
Investment in early childhood development is a critical component of Kaplan’s mission to support and advocate for children and families as high-quality birth to five programs result in better education, health, social and economic outcomes. Education researchers, teachers, economists and public health experts agree that the foundation for success begins long before children enter formal K-12 schooling. Those committing to Invest in US are building a better nation by helping to create programs that develop strong children and families.
Invest in US also comes on the heels of growing public and private investment in early childhood development. In addition to the announcement of significant new private sector funding, the departments of Education and Health and Human Services announced $750 million in new grants for early learning programs. Numerous public leaders at the state and local level have also committed to making early childhood programs a policy priority.
Invest in US commitments are intended to:
• Strengthen public systems at the federal, state and local levels to ensure continuous quality improvements in parental education, home visiting, Early Head Start, quality child care, Head Start and preschool programs;
• Integrate health and developmental screenings with early learning to provide parents with the information they need to optimize their child’s physical, emotional and intellectual development;
• Improve the training, continuing education, professional development and living wages of early childhood educators;
• Support greater access to evidence-based programs that support parents and families in fostering their children’s development; and
• Promote and share ongoing program innovation and improvement, especially for those programs supporting parents and informal caregivers.
A full list of commitments announced Wednesday can be found at http://investinus.org/.
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About Invest in US
Invest in US is a challenge to public and private partners, business leaders, philanthropists, advocates, elected officials and you to build a better nation by expanding high-quality early childhood education programs for children from birth through age five. When we invest in them, we invest in us.
About Kaplan Early Learning Company
Kaplan Early Learning Company is based in Lewisville, North Carolina. Kaplan Early Learning Company provides products and services that enhance children’s learning. Since 1968, the company has delivered innovative products and services that support educators and caregivers worldwide in the creation of quality learning environments.
Taylor Myers, Kaplan Early Learning Company, http://www.kaplanco.com, +1 (336) 712-3465, [email protected]
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