The recent introduction of Georgia House Bill 939 to establish pre-k for 3-year-olds has sparked a much-needed discussion. That discussion has revealed many misconceptions about the economic realities of working families and the importance of quality early care and education for our young children and our community.

As the CEO of Quality Care for Children, a nonprofit child care resource and referral agency serving 36 Georgia counties, I'd like to provide a few facts to set the record straight.

> The years between birth and 5 are the years when education matters most. More than 90 percent of brain development occurs in the first three years of life. Research shows that children who receive quality early care and education display better cognitive and language development, school achievement and early school success.

A quality early care and education experience prepares children for school success by supporting their cognitive, emotional, social and physical development. When they reach school, they possess a curiosity for learning. They can interact positively with their peers, follow directions and creatively solve problems.

Quality early education, like the proposed pre-k program for 3-year-olds, is cost-effective. Research conducted by economists from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis found that taxpayers realize a more than 12 percent rate of return on dollars invested in quality early care and education because of lower spending on special education, juvenile and criminal justice, and welfare payments. This is in addition to any benefit realized directly by the child and family.

> In more than 60 percent of families, both parents work outside the home, some by choice but most out of economic necessity. In Georgia, more than 473,000 young children need child care while their parents work. Child care is expensive. The average cost of care for a child between 13 months and 3 years old in Atlanta is $6,656 —- more than a year's tuition at Georgia State University. High-quality child care averages $7,852. Child care is a financial hardship for most families, often at a time when young families are starting out and can least afford it. For many low-income working families, quality child care is not an option.

> Pre-k for 3-year-olds provides the opportunity for learning. Parents are not required by this legislation to enroll their children in the program. Working parents, who might otherwise not be able to afford it, can choose to enroll their 3-year-old children in a high-quality early care and education program that prepares them for school success.

At Quality Care for Children, we believe that the education of our young children is a shared responsibility —- a moral commitment to ensure that every child has an opportunity to be successful. Like K-12 education, it reaps communitywide benefits. Consider the realities of working families, the importance of the early years to later success, the surplus in lottery dollars and the return on the investment in early care and education.

An increased investment —- whether it is pre-k for 3-year-olds, an expansion of pre-k for 4-year-olds or an effort to increase the quality of child care for all age groups —- makes economic sense. We have an opportunity to invest our dollars where they matter most to young children and families and where the payoff to the community is greatest. Any other investment guaranteeing a 12 percent return would not even call for discussion.

> Pam Tatum is chief executive officer of Quality Care for Children.

HOW TO SUBMIT AN OPINION COLUMN: Submissions should be 750 words or less. E-mail columns to dbeasley@ajc.com; fax them to 404-526-5610. Columns submitted to the AJC may be published, republished and made available in the AJC or other databases and electronic formats.