President Barack Obama

"It will be the goal of this administration to ensure that every child has access to a complete and competitive education – from the day they are born to the day they begin a career... We have dramatically expanded early childhood education and will continue to improve its quality, because we know that the most formative learning comes in those first years of life."


President Barack Obama, in an address to joint session of Congress, February 24, 2009
See more quotes on early learning from President Obama

Michelle Obama

"And I know all of you here know the importance of investing in early childhood education. Imagine what we can do with millions of dollars of more investment in this area....We can expand opportunities in low-income districts for all students and particularly for students with disabilities."

Michelle Obama's visit the the Department of Education, February 2, 2008

Senator Kit Bond

"As a Governor and a parent, I realized the early years of a child’s life are the building blocks to success. These bills build on this idea and strengthen parents as teachers.”

Senator Kit Bond (R-MO), upon introduction of the Ready to Learn Act and the Education Begins at Home Act, January 15, 2009

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

"We need to have preschool education so that every child gets a chance to be successful in school."

Hillary Clinton, in an interview at the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn., April 6, 2008

Rep. George Miller

"[Obama's] plan includes many of the right priorities, at the right time, to help build the economy we need and the world-class education system that Americans of all ages deserve. Congress should follow his lead... continue our efforts to strengthen early childhood education."

Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, on Obama's first major education speech, March 10, 2009

 "Any significant education reform effort must start with children before they enter their kindergarten classrooms. If we only start focusing on kids at kindergarten and on – it’s five years too late."

Rep. George Miller, opening remarks from at a committee hearing on "The Importance of Early Childhood Development," March 17, 2009

Speaker Nancy Pelosi

"Great strides have been made in understanding how children's brains are shaped and developed, how positive behaviors can be encouraged, and how investments in early childhood create success in later years."

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Address on the State of Our Union, January 17, 2007

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

"We need to do two things in early childhood. As you know, this is arguably the best investment we can make. There’s nothing more important we can do than get our students off to a great start. In my mind, this money [from the stimulus bill] is going to accomplish two things. First is to increase access to early childhood seats and there’s a shortage of seats available. The second, equally as important if not more important, we need to increase the quality of these seats....If our students have great teachers who have had professional development and they can enter kindergarten with their socialization skills intact, their literacy skills intact, then they have a chance to be very, very successful. This is an extraordinarily important part of the recovery package."

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, in an interview with "The Takeaway" on March 2, 2009 

David Brooks

"If I were advising the Republican nominee... I’d ask him to call for a new human capital revolution... The second group of policies would involve early-childhood education... Preschool should be radically expanded and accountability programs put in place."


David Brooks, Fresh Start Conservatism, New York Times, February 15, 2008

Rep. Mazie Hirono

"...study after study has shown that high quality early education does make a positive difference in a child’s life.  Children who attend good preschools are more likely to perform well in school and graduate from high school, and are less likely to commit a crime or use drugs.  With that important debate settled, we need to work with states to encourage investments in quality early education opportunities."

Rep. Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Education and Labor Committee Member and Member of the Subcommittee Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education

 Rep Mike Castle

"Over 11 million children under age five spend an average of 36 hours a week in non-parental care settings...Research increasingly points to the critical importance of quality early childhood education as the foundation for school success. Since serving as the Governor of Delaware, I have actively worked to ensure children five years of age and younger have access to high-quality early education. I believe Congress should also look at ways in which we can support the work states are currently doing to guarantee our youngest children are provided the early learning opportunities they need to succeed in school and in life. To do this, we must work in a bipartisan manner to make certain parents remain in control of their child's early childhood care and education." 

Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE), co-sponsor of the recently introduced PRE-K Act, on March 19, 2009.

Rep. Vernon Ehlers

Children who fall behind in their early education often struggle to keep up with their peers.

Rep Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), August 14, 2008

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

"In order to attain our goals as a country, the next generation must have the necessary intellectual tools. That is why I will continue to push for improvements to our early education programs, like Head Start...."

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), in her E-newsletter on December 23, 2009

Rep. John Mchugh

"Here in Northern and Central New York, children have benefited from Head Start in several ways, including comprehensive health and nutritional services along with education. A readiness gap continues to exist between children of different economic backgrounds, one that we must combat with fierce determination to ensure all children enter school prepared to learn."

Rep. John McHugh (R-NY), from his column, "IN MY OWN WORDS", May 7, 2007

Susan Buffet

"...education is the way we, as a nation, attempt to level the playing field for all children and families. Education is how we traditionally try to make good on the great American promise.....Here´s the problem: Too many children arrive at Kindergarten already behind. What´s worse, far too many children keep falling further behind — and never catch up.....Investing in the early years makes sense. Investing in the early years — beginning at birth and even before, and focusing first on those children and families who face the greatest risks — is a responsible way to shift the odds so more children will grow up eager to learn, ready for school and inspired with hope. Investing in the early years pays great dividends — and is also just the right thing to do. After all, the great American promise of equal opportunity is a promise worth keeping."