Since Rhode Island already leads the way in providing childcare support for working families, the state's decision to fund a pre-K program ("R.I. to offer its first public pre-K program," July 28) will mean significant progress for children and families.

Seventeen percent of Rhode Island's children live in poverty.  Research shows that the first five years of a child's life are critical to his or her learning, health, behavior and development.  Rhode Island has it right: Investing in our children during their earliest years means we won't have to play catch up in the classroom. Economists agree it's one of the best investments we can make.

To encourage states such as Rhode island to continue to raise the bar for early-childhood programs, the House of Representatives will soon vote on president Obama's proposal to transform our nation's early-education programs and dramatically increase access for low income children to high-quality, comprehensive programs.  The bill will provide $8 billion in grants to states that commit to raising their standards, integrate innovative data systems, build and effective workforce of early childhood educators, and strengthen support for parents and families.  Together, these reforms will help a new generation of children arrive at kindergarten ready to succeed.

President Obama has made it clear that education is the foundation for economic recovery.  If we wait until children enter kinddergarten, we have started five years too late.  Rhode Island has made a smart decision for its children, families, and economic future.