earn higher wages and live healthier lives; and
WHEREAS, Parents will always be the most important influence
on their children; and
WHEREAS, There are nearly 796,000 working parents with
children under six years of age in Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Evidence-based programs that strengthen our families
and ensure access to high-quality early care and education are
needed to maximize children's potential in the first five years
of life; and
WHEREAS, Despite the proven benefits of high-quality early
care and education, more eligible Pennsylvania children and
families need access to these services; and
WHEREAS, Just 2% of all children under six years of age and
only 5% of low-income children under six years of age are
receiving publicly funded, evidence-based home visiting
services; and
WHEREAS, Only 45% of subsidized children under five years of
age and 42% of subsidized infants and toddlers attend a high-
quality child care program; and
WHEREAS, Only 46% of child care capacity in this Commonwealth
meets high-quality standards; and
WHEREAS, Seventy-five percent of eligible children under five
years of age and 79% of eligible infants or toddlers are not
enrolled in the Child Care Works subsidized child care program;
and
WHEREAS, Fifty-seven percent of eligible children, three and
four years of age, do not have access to high-quality
prekindergarten; and
WHEREAS, High-quality early childhood education depends on
high-quality early childhood educators who ensure that children,
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