Continuing the discussion from the Plenary Session, "The Early Years: An Irresistible Investment Opportunity," early childhood education has many benefits, yet it has often been neglected relative to primary school education. Children attending pre-school are not only more likely to complete primary and secondary schools, they will also earn more throughout their life and drive up their country's GDP. Pre-schooling also serves to reduce inequalities and is associated with better childhood health and nutrition and a mother's ability to earn a living. For a business, organized day care centers help ensure improved employee productivity, attendance, and satisfaction. Only 46 percent of pre-primary age children across the world are enrolled in education, a figure that drops to 13 percent for the least developed countries and varies vastly by income level.
Moderator:
Kate Canales, Director of Design and Innovation Programs, Southern Methodist University
Sandy Speicher, Education Lead, IDEO
Participants:
Randa Grob-Zakhary, Chief Executive Officer, LEGO Foundation
Jacqueline Jones, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Early Learning, U.S. Department of Education
