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According to scientists at the National Research Council, 85 percent of brain growth occurs in the first six years of life. No wonder early brain development is so important to a child's future abilities.

We can help Iowa kids live up to their full potential through quality early childcare, which prepares them to succeed in school and throughout their lives.

Here in Iowa, quality child care is especially important because our state ranks high among those where both parents work to support their families.

Over the last decade, we've tackled this challenge by expanding preschool opportunities, most notably with Iowa's Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program. In fact, our state now offers publicly supported preschool for almost two-thirds of all 4-year-olds.

Other proposals I've supported that are helping hard-working Iowa families and their children succeed include:

Strengthening our state's early childhood system and expanding access to high-quality early childhood education.

Creating a state-level child care tax credit to help working parents afford the quality care they need for their kids.

Increasing funding and access for Hawk-I, our state's health insurance program for children from lower-income families.

Increasing reimbursement rates to childcare centers.

Expanding the use of a Quality Rating System for child care facilities so that parents can know their kids are getting top-notch care.

I'm proud that our state is serious about our children's growth, development and success, and I'm committed to continuing our efforts. To learn more about programs for Iowa's young children and their families, go to www.state.ia.us/earlychildhood/Iowa_

Early_Childhood_Initiatives/index.html

Contact Sen. Olive at (515)?733-2427, or e-mail him at rich.olive@legis.state.ia.us.