The first five years of life aren’t just important; they shape everything that follows.

During these years, a child’s brain develops faster than at any other time, building the foundation for:

• Language and literacy

• Social-emotional skills like persistence and self-regulation

• Curiosity, creativity, and confidence

• School readiness and lifelong learning

For many families, quality childcare isn’t a choice. It’s a crisis.

• Waitlists stretch 12–24 months, with some centers having 200+ families waiting for a spot.

• Infant care costs $11,000–$13,000 annually, more than in-state tuition at public universities.

• Childcare consumes up to 40.9% of median income in Tennessee, making it one of the largest household expenses, often exceeding housing or higher education.

• Nashville’s population has grown 21% in the last two decades, but the number of licensed childcare centers has dropped by 16%.

And in Davidson County, nearly 1 in 5 children live in poverty. These challenges hit hardest for low-income, single-parent, and foster families; children who most need stable, nurturing early learning environments often have the hardest time accessing them.

High-quality early education doesn’t just prepare children for kindergarten.

It:

• Increases lifetime earnings and academic achievement

• Improves long-term health and emotional well-being

• Reduces family stress, enabling parents to work and contribute to a thriving local economy

These benefits ripple beyond one child; they strengthen families, communities, and Nashville as a whole.