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### ¡Muestre su apoyo al acceso universal a Pre-K de alta calidad!
### ¡La inscripción para Pre-K está abierta! Si aún no ha registrado a su hijo, regístrese hoy para Pre-K.
### El acceso a un programa de prekínder de alta calidad que dura todo el día ayuda a las familias a ir a trabajar. Obtenga más información sobre cómo funciona el preescolar para nuestros niños, familias, empresas y comunidad.
### **QUIÉNES SOMOS**
### ¿Por qué Pre-K?
### INICIATIVAS
!!!)!
### **INVOLÚCRESE**
!INITIATIVES/**ESP**!!
# POLÍTICA DE PRIVACIDAD
Nos preocupamos por mantener su información privada, y solo usarla para su uso previsto.
The Pre-K Priority es el único propietario de la información recopilada en este sitio web. Solo tenemos acceso o recopilamos información que usted nos proporcione voluntariamente a través de nuestros formularios u otro contacto directo con usted. No venderemos ni alquilaremos esta información a nadie.
Usaremos su información para responderle, con respecto a la razón por la que se puso en contacto con nosotros. No compartiremos su información con terceros fuera de nuestra organización, excepto cuando sea necesario para cumplir con su solicitud. Al firmar el Compromiso de Pre-K, usted acepta que su nombre puede aparecer en publicaciones de Family Services como partidario del Compromiso de Pre-K.
A menos que nos pida que no lo hagamos, puede que nos pongamos en contacto con usted por correo electrónico en el futuro para informarle sobre nuevos servicios, noticias, eventos o cambios en esta política de privacidad.
Puede excluirse de cualquier contacto futuro en cualquier momento. Puede hacer lo siguiente en cualquier momento poniéndose en contacto con nosotros a través de la dirección de correo electrónico o número de teléfono que aparece en nuestro sitio web:
!Ver qué datos tenemos sobre usted, si los hay.!Cambiar/corregir cualquier dato que tengamos sobre usted.!Pedir que eliminemos cualquier dato que tengamos sobre usted.!Expresar cualquier inquietud que tenga sobre nuestro uso de sus datos.
Tomamos precauciones para proteger su información. Cuando envía información confidencial a través del sitio web, su información está protegida lo mejor que podamos.
Solo las personas que necesitan la información para realizar un trabajo específico tienen acceso a información de identificación personal. Los ordenadores/servidores en los que almacenamos información de identificación personal se mantienen en un entorno seguro.
Esta Política de Privacidad puede cambiar de vez en cuando y todas las actualizaciones se publicarán en esta página. Si considera que no estamos cumpliendo con esta política de privacidad, debe ponerse en contacto con nosotros inmediatamente a través de PreKPriority@familyservicesforsyth.org.
Última actualización el: 20 de marzo de 2024
# Suscríbete
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Pre-K Priority es una colaboración de organizaciones comunitarias comprometidas con la educación infantil temprana y respaldadas por 
Las consultas sobre el programa deben dirigirse a Leslie Mullinix, directora del proyecto prioritario de prekínder en lmullinix@familyservicesforsyth.org
PreKPriority@familyservicesforsyth.org
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© 2019 The Pre‑K Priority
**The Pre-K Priority** es el único propietario de la información recopilada en este sitio web. Solo tenemos acceso o recopilamos información que usted nos proporciona voluntariamente a través de nuestros formularios u otro contacto directo suyo. No venderemos ni alquilaremos esta información a nadie. Lea más sobre nuestra .
### Show your support for universal access to high-quality Pre-K!
### Access to all-day, high-quality Pre-K helps families go to work. Learn more about how Pre-K Works for our children, families, businesses, and community.
### Registration for Pre-K is open! If you haven’t already registered your child, Register for Pre-K today.
### about us
### why pre-k?
### Initiatives
!!!!
### learn more
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# Pre‑K Works
Families who can access a Pre-K program of their choice are more likely to enter the workforce and stay employed—helping build a healthier, more equitable and vibrant economy in Forsyth County. When we do the right thing for our children and families, our economy works in ways that benefit all of us.
## Communities with Vision
Communities with vision strategically invest in programs and services with a high return on investment to drive their economic development. Learn why high-quality Pre-K investments are important for our workforce and economic development and must form part of our community’s plan for the future.
### Families being able to work is good for economic development.
In any given year in Forsyth County, there are over 4,500+ 4-year-old children. When their families have access to high-quality full-day Pre-K, it makes it possible and more financially viable to be part of the workforce.
### Recruitment and retention of the workforce is good for economic development.
According to national recruiting firms, top key factors in deciding to move for a job include access to amenities such as health care facilities, schools or academic institutions for ongoing learning or education for children, and other aspects that contribute to a family's quality of life.
Pre-K and offering childcare support can reduce employee turnover rates, which is especially significant in industries with high turnover costs. Turnover costs can range from 30%–200% of an employee's annual salary.
### Productivity is good for economic development.
Even if a parent already works, high-quality childcare/Pre-K helps parents improve their productivity at work by missing fewer work hours and opening up options for further education.
According to a US Chamber of Commerce Foundation report, 1 in 3 businesses felt that child care issues factored a “great deal” into loss of productivity for employees.
Companies that prioritize the needs and well-being of their employees recognize that access to high-quality Pre-K can alleviate a significant stressor for working parents.
### Supporting the development of entrepreneurs is good for economic development.
Key findings from Harvard highlight that the average age of successful startup founders is between 35–45 years, during key child-rearing years. With a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem in Forsyth County, Pre-K and childcare investments can make it easier for budding entrepreneurs to invest the time needed to grow their companies.
### Stronger education outcomes are good for economic development.
55% of 3rd graders in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools are not proficient in reading. 68% of African-American children and 72% of Latinx children are not proficient in reading, yet they represent close to 60% of the children in our school system. Providing access to high-quality Pre-K shifts kindergarten readiness and will have positive repercussions on literacy outcomes and beyond.
### Economic inclusion is good for economic development.
A national Penn Wharton study showed that the labor force participation rate for low-income mothers with preschool aged children could increase by an average of 29% if universal preschool became available. With the ability to return to work, women are able to advance their careers. Economic analysis shows that as women’s labor force increases, so does the GDP.
Forsyth County,North Carolina has the third lowest rate of upward economic mobility of any other county in the United States. One of the strongest correlates of upward mobility is the quality of schools in the local system.
### Crime reduction and safety is good for economic development.
Forsyth County crime is higher than the national average. Children who have the opportunity to learn through a developmentally appropriate curriculum at a young age have better social/emotional skills, are better equipped to express themselves, and less likely to be physically aggressive or violent. The benefits of high-quality early learning and care can last into adulthood, as children who have attended high-quality preschool programs have lower rates of incarceration and substance abuse.
## Pre-K Is Working in communities
### Forsyth County
In 2022, Forsyth County and the city of Winston-Salem  ($4M+ in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funding) to enhance quality in over 30 existing Pre-K classrooms in our community.
Counties like Mecklenberg, Wake, and Buncombe are  in high-quality Pre-K.
### Mecklenberg
In 2024 Mecklenberg County is  on MECK Pre-K for a total investment of $69 million. That program, along with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools‘ Bright Beginnings, partly funded by the county, and the state's Pre-K program, serve a total of 5,800 children in the county.
### Wake
Wake County has been able to reach universal access for 4-year-old children and has .
### Buncombe
Buncombe County’s  $603 million budget for fiscal year 2024 includes an investment of $3,892,756 for early childhood education. Commissioners have named early childhood and development among their top priorities for community investments in an effort to ensure that every child in the County has an equal opportunity to thrive during their first 2,000 days. The funding will be distributed to 16 organizations supporting 21 programs.
## **We are Already Paying for a Lack of Pre-K**
Investments in high-quality Pre-K programs pay for themselves over time by generating benefits for participants, the nonparticipating public, and government itself.
> For every dollar invested in high-quality Pre-K, the return on investment has been shown to range from $2.63–$17.
Children and their families get part of these total benefits, but the benefits to the rest of the public and government are large, too. On their own, these benefits outweigh the costs of these programs. Taxpayers benefit because children attending Pre-K are less likely to repeat a grade or require expensive special education services. Later in life, individuals who participated in preschool were less likely to engage in crime or be incarcerated.
All of these are outcomes that reduce the cost of taxpayer-funded public services. In addition to the financial implications, if we invest earlier in a child’s trajectory, we set them up for more consistent positive learning and social experiences that support their outlook, sense of belonging, and mental/physical/emotional wellness.
> North Carolina was the first state in the nation . Let’s make four the new five in Forsyth County and lead the charge with other large cities to make Pre-K a priority in our community.
## Show your support
1
### Sign the Pledge
If you believe all children have the right to equitable learning opportunities that help them achieve their full potential in school, work, and life,  to show community support for Pre-K in our community.
Organizations can also show their support by signing our  and returning to PreKPriority@familyservicesforsyth.org.
2
### Offer High-Quality Childcare to Your Employees
If you are an employer, consider investigating childcare and high-quality Pre-K opportunities for employees, starting with . You may also consider childcare subsidies as a form of incentive to enhance recruitment and retention.
3
### Request Childcare Support From Your Employer
If you are an employee, consider requesting childcare support from your employer.  provides tips and creative solutions employees may not be aware of.
4
### Support Local Organizations
Join existing community efforts around access to early childhood education and high-quality Pre-K by volunteering or supporting local organizations doing great work. Learn more about who is involved by reading about .
5
### Advocate
Learn about and advocate for policies and funding that would expand equitable access to high-quality Pre-K in Forsyth County. To start, read more about  and other  facing our state.
# Sign-up for news Updates
The Pre-K Priority is a collaboration of community organizations committed to early childhood education and supported by the 
Program inquiries should be directed to Leslie Mullinix, The Pre-K Priority Project Director at lmullinix@familyservicesforsyth.org
**The Pre-K Priority** is the sole owner of the information collected on this website. We only have access to or collect information that you voluntarily give us via our forms or other direct contact from you. We will not sell or rent this information to anyone. Read more about our .
# VIDEOS
Over the last several years, The Pre-K Priority has captured the voices of parents, educators, and those individuals on the front lines of work to bring high quality Pre-K to every 4-year-old in our community. Their stories are below.
## Featured
**Forsyth County Early Childhood Education Task Force Webinar**
On November 16, 2022, The Pre‑K Priority hosted a panel discussion with members of the Forsyth County Early Childhood Education Task Force facilitated by Liz Bell with EdNC.
Task Force members shared findings and recommendations and discussed how The Pre‑K Priority coalition is working toward increasing access to high-quality Pre‑K for all families in Forsyth County. Topics include: advocacy, recruitment and retention of educators, and support for children and families.
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## PRE-K MODEL COHORT CLASSROOMS
In 2023, Forsyth County Commissioners and The City of Winston-Salem approved over $4M of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funds to support increased quality standards in a model cohort of 32 Pre-K classrooms.
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## WEBINAR SERIES
This series addresses the importance of developing an equitable, high-quality Pre-K system that substantially reduces educational disparities, bolsters the local economy, and benefits all families with young children in Forsyth County.
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## Focus on four
Educators, parents, and community leaders emphasize Pre-K’s crucial role in fostering early cognitive and social development, preparing children for academic success and lifelong learning.
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## The Power of High-Quality Pre-k
Today, thousands of four-year-olds across Forsyth County will embark on an exciting, new journey as they enter their Pre-K classrooms! Over the next year, they will develop socially, emotionally, and cognitively. But only a third of four-year-olds will get that experience.