The success of our children is everyone’s business. As business leaders and educators, we have a vested interest in securing a healthy, productive, competitive workforce for the future. As residents, we want to live in healthy, vibrant communities. If we are also parents or grandparents, the “future of our children” becomes near and dear to our hearts through a child we love. In any of these roles, we can make significant impact and it is in our best interests to do so.

Children are learning constantly, right from birth. What happens in a child’s early years matters a great deal to that child’s development, his health, and his productivity later in life.

Research clearly demonstrates that quality early learning is a strong foundation for success. The 40-year High/Scopes Perry Preschool study shows that investing in early learning early on pays huge dividends later on – in reduced crime, fewer teen pregnancies, more high school graduates and more individual success in work and life.

The research is compelling and the results impressive. This is why we support the Born Learning campaign as part of this community’s commitment to ensure every child starts school prepared to succeed – a commitment we are not yet meeting.

A recent survey of Washington teachers showed that 56 percent of kindergarteners enter school with underdeveloped learning skills. According to the U.S. Department of Education, these kindergarteners fall behind their peers in essential skills like reading. And low-income children are at least one to two years behind.

Here in Northwest Washington, the Born Learning campaign is educating teachers, childcare professionals and families about early learning. It is working with legislators to develop policy and practical support to restore Washington’s leadership role in early childhood education. It is engaging business and community leaders because the pay-off for school readiness, workforce productivity and better lives is a ten-fold return on the investment of every dollar spent in a child’s first years.

Parents often undervalue their role in preparing their children for school success, don’t always know what to do to encourage early learning, and do not think they have time. Born Learning is giving busy parents, grandparents and caregivers easy, concrete “action steps” they can take – during everyday activities – to enrich early learning and promote better nutrition and health.

You may have seen Born Learning print, radio and TV ads inform residents that they can call the 2-1-1 information line or visit United Way’s Parent Place Web site (www.unitedwayparentplace.org) to find local resources for parents and kids. The national www.bornlearning.org site has materials in English and Spanish that translate cutting-edge research into user-friendly tips to encourage learning, promote health, answer questions about caring for young children, and simplify parenting.

United Way of Snohomish County and Northwest Educational Services District 189 are leading this public engagement campaign in Northwest Washington, but they are only a few of the many public and private partners behind the campaign throughout the state. Nationally, the effort is led by United Way, the Ad Council and Civitas. This year, it is expected to include almost $40 million worth of public service announcements – on TV, cable, radio, in newspapers, magazines, billboards and the Internet – and $7 million of educational material.

All of us must do all we can to help parents and caregivers prepare young children to succeed in school and live healthier lives. Please join us in supporting early education for Washington. Working together, we can do what matters most for our children and for a future that impacts us all.

Carol Whitehead, superintendent of Everett Public Schools, chairs the board of directors of United Way of Snohomish County. H.R. Brereton “Gubby” Barlow, CEO of Premera Blue Cross, chaired the 2005 United Way campaign.