Why
Preschool?
Change a Child’s Trajectory
The Grand Haven Schools Foundation provides scholarships to children based on household income, so they can attend preschool. This early access to education allows children a chance to acquire the social, emotional and pre-literacy skills needed for a smooth transition to kindergarten. Decades of research indicate that children who participate in quality preschool programs demonstrate higher educational skill attainment, higher graduation rates and are more likely to pursue post-high school education. Our goal is to help these children become successful in school and beyond.
Research shows that 90% of the brain’s architecture is built by age four, laying the foundation for language, social behavior, problem solving, and emotional health.
Early education can change the trajectory of a child’s life from those early years, when the window of opportunity is the greatest.
Children who attend a quality preschool:
- Have fun
- Learn more words and begin to read more quickly
- Engage in creative learning
- Investigate the world around them
- Learn behaviors and social skills that will make them successful in the classroom and in life (like sharing, following instructions and showing respect for peers and adults)
Research shows that these children are:
- Less likely to repeat a grade
- Have higher high-school graduation rates
- Earn more in their jobs and experience lower rates of poverty
- Are less likely to have problems with the law
At a Glance
Why Readiness? Gap study results show three- and four-year-olds don’t have access to preschool to ready them for kindergarten.
Children who attend quality preschool:
- Begin to read more quickly
- Engage in creative learning
- Learn social skills that make them successful
- Have higher high school graduation rates
- Earn more in their jobs
- Experience lower rates of poverty
Early Education
Scholarships
have been provided to children in need in the Tri-Cities area since 2005.
Economic Case
For every $1 invested in early childhood programs, there is a $3 return on investment for the local economy