Why Early Childhood Matters
Brains are built not born. The brain is one of the only organs that isn't fully developed at birth. In fact, 700 new neural connections are formed every second during the first few years of a child's life. Experiences a child has during the first 2,000 days—from birth to kindergarten—will determine how his or her brain is wired for life.
KID YOUR VOTE!
Your vote matters when it comes to our children and the greater community as a whole. To help prepare your vote, check out some of the resources included here....
To learn more on the sales tax referendum,
Sources: North Carolina State Board of Elections, You Can Vote, NC Voter Guide
- Let's Vote! Talking to Children About Voting | PBS KIDS for Parents
- MomsVote | MomsRising
- Same-Day Registration at Early Voting Sites
- Voter ID Information – Learn about the recently implemented voter ID law in North Carolina, and what forms of ID can be used.
- Early Voting in Person – Early voting begins Thursday, October 17 and ends at 3pm on Saturday, November 2. Find early voting sites using the NC State Board of Elections Early Voting Site Search.
- Find Your Polling Place – Make sure you show up at the correct polling site on November 5, Election Day.
- NC Candidate Profiles – We’re voting for more than just a president this election. Learn who is on your ballot and what each candidate stands for. Local elections often impact day-to-day life more than national elections.
- Help for Voters with Disabilities – There are options to receive assistance in the voting process to make voting more accessible to all North Carolinians.
- Voters Affected by Helene – The NC State Board of Elections provides resources for voters in the western part of the state affected by Hurricane Helene.
Source: The North Carolina Partnership for Children
- Important Dates:
- Oct. 11: Voter registration deadline (5 p.m.).*
- Oct. 17: In-person early voting begins; same-day registration available.
- Oct. 29: Absentee ballot request deadline (5 p.m.).*
- Nov. 2: In-person early voting ends (3 p.m.).
- Nov. 5: General Election Day, polls open from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm
- Nov. 5: Absentee ballot return deadline (7:30 p.m.).
The State of Young Children in Guilford County
More than 39,000 young children (birth to age five) live in Guilford County. One third of the children spend their first 2,000 days
- Enrolled in high-quality licensed childcare centers.
- Receiving good care at home with parents, relatives, or friends.
- Not receiving the care they need to build healthy brains.
While their parents work, children who receive sub-standard care get further behind every day. Research also shows that it's difficult for our children to catch up once they're behind.
The Goal: Every Child Entering School Safe, Healthy, and Ready to Succeed
Children who participate in high-quality early childhood programs achieve great things later in life.
- Children score significantly higher on standardized language and math tests.1
- They have higher earnings, pay more in taxes, and are less likely to rely on government assistance.2
- These participating children are five times less likely than their counterparts to become chronic criminal offenders as adults.3
Every part of our community wins when young children get what they need. And everyone can get involved.
- Police officers across the U.S. are advocating for high-quality early childhood programs as a key component of crime prevention.
- Military leaders have made the link between early childhood and military readiness and are calling for smart investments in children.
- Business leaders in cities across the country recognize investing in early education is critical to building a well-educated, competitive workforce.
You can get involved, too. Learn how.
Sources
- The First 2000 Days
- Brant, D., Maxwell, K., Taylor, K., Poe, M., Peisner-Feinberg, E., and Bernier, K. (2003). Smart Start and Preschool Child Care Quality in NC: Change over Time and Relation to Children’s Readiness. Chapel Hill, NC. FPG Child Development Institute
- Fight Crime: Invest in Kids. (2012). High-Quality Early Care and Education: A Key to Reducing Future Crime in North Carolina. Washington, DC: Stephanie Schaeffer
