While much state attention and resources have been devoted to K-12 and higher education as a means to improve the state’s economy and quality of life, ensuring quality care before children enter the school system is just as important. A new commission aims to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure Maine invests resources where they can do the most good for young children and their families. It is an ambitious task with a fast-approaching deadline. By building on existing research and policies, the group can be helpful in directing state policy toward ensuring high quality child care and other resources for parents are available and affordable.

Presented with numerous bills on young children, the Legislature this summer created the Commission to Develop a Strategic Priorities Plan for Maine’s Young Children. The commission, made up of lawmakers and representatives of child care agencies, business and academia, is to review existing reports, research and practices and develop a plan by Dec. 1. The group’s next meeting is Wednesday.

The commission’s charge also says it must “take into account the need for the state to receive the best return on the investment of tax dollars.” Further, the commission’s plan should prioritize programs – both new and existing – for investment and detail the expected outcomes, including a timeline, for these programs. It must also show what funding sources could be shifted to pay for these programs. This is a model of fiscal responsibility and prioritization that other task forces, no matter the issue they are reviewing, should follow.

Research shows that 90 percent of brain development occurs before the age of 5. The state now devotes many more resources to K-12 and higher education than the preschool years. One reason is that the payback for investments in early care is harder to quantify and happens decades after the initial investment.

However, according to Attorney General Steven Rowe, failure to invest in high quality early care results in $300 million in increased special education costs, $800 million additional substance abuse costs and $1.2 billion in increased domestic violence costs annually.

This alone is reason to prioritize and make investments in this area. But there is also a direct benefit to the state’s businesses and economy. Ensuring high quality child care is available increases worker productivity, cuts down on absenteeism and lowers turnover, reducing recruiting and training costs.

Despite these benefits, there is a shortage of child care, especially for low-income families. According to the Office of Child and Family Services, Maine meets the needs of a little more than a third of the children who are eligible for subsidized day care. More than 2,000 children are on a waiting list. The shortage is most severe for children under the age of 2.

Where care is available, little is certified as high quality and low wages mean high staff turnover at many facilities.

By prioritizing spending needs for Maine’s youngest residents and keeping them within the confines of the state budget, this group will have done a great service to children, families and the business community. The next challenge will be to turn those priorities into action.