As parents, we all want our children to succeed in school and life. Recent research on child development shows that enrolling children in quality preschool is one of the most important steps we can take toward achieving that goal. Children enrolled in quality preschool programs are:

• More likely to enter kindergarten with superior reading, math, thinking and attention skills and fewer behavioral problems; and
• More likely to graduate from high school, attend college and earn more as adults than children who miss out on quality preschool.

Parents' Action for Children believes that all parents who wish to enroll their children in quality preschool should be able to do so - no matter where they live or how much they earn. But current federal and state preschool policies lag far behind that goal. Many children cannot attend preschool because it is not available in their community or their parents cannot afford it. 

Head Start, the federal preschool program that has helped disadvantaged children enter school ready to succeed for nearly 40 years, now serves only about half of the children who are eligible for its comprehensive services. Yet instead of ensuring Head Start for more children, the Bush administration has recommended a budget that will allow 25,000 fewer children to participate in Head Start next year. If approved by Congress, this will deny these children the services that have been proven to help them do better in school and life and deny the savings that quality preschool brings to our schools and communities.

Parents' Action urges parents to raise their voices against cutbacks in essential services for our most vulnerable children. It's very important and easy to do. Just click here to send a message to your Senators and Representative urging them to reject cutbacks in Head Start and in other essential children's services. 

Learn more about our nation's preschool policies in:

• Q's and A's about our Nation's Preschool Programs and Policies
• Key Facts on Preschool in America
• Preschool in Your State
• More Resources on Preschool Policies