Reading the recent article about “Preschool the Idaho Way,” I was struck by what a great step this new program is for children in our state.

Positive early learning experiences are critical for children to be successful in both school and life. Skills such as learning how to match and sort, being a good friend, and gaining the confidence to explore are part of the essential building blocks that help children boost their vocabularies and learn to read. Because most of a child’s brain development happens in the first five years of life, access to quality child care and preschool for working parents is a must to ensure children are ready to succeed when they start school. Many times, children who don’t have access to these programs show up on their first day of kindergarten already behind.