SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota House today passed the Early Learning Budget Conference Committee Report. HF 2292 invests a historic $300 million over the next four years in Great Start scholarships. These early learning scholarships increase access to high-quality early care and learning programs for lower-income and vulnerable children (those with the highest needs) to improve school readiness and allow parents to access employment and education opportunities.
Representative Samakab Hussein released the following statement,
“Early education can provide children with a safe and nurturing environment to learn and grow, and it can help parents to balance their work and family responsibilities. Early education and care are crucial components of building a strong economy that benefits both families and businesses. Childcare is a valuable asset for families, and I am pleased to see we are investing in our kids and their future. This historic investment in early education will exceed Minnesotans' demands for accessible early childhood education and care. With this bill, we are investing in the future of our children. We know children who participate in early childhood education programs perform better academically and socially. Additionally, they pick up important life lessons that stick with them forever.”
From birth to age five, a child’s brain develops more rapidly than at any other time in life. While genetics plays a significant role, scientific research has made clear that the quality of a child’s experiences in the first few years of life helps shape how their brain develops. These experiences have lasting impacts on their health and ability to learn and succeed in school and in life.
In addition to the robust investments in early education scholarships, the House and Senate included innovative provisions to help kids learn through music, teach them critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and engage parents and children in learning and brain development in their homes and at doctor visits.
Video of today’s House Floor debate can be found here.