Author Says Tennessee loses $2.3 billion annually due to lack of early education investment

Citing national research, Dr. Dan Wuori kicks off the Nashville Early Education Coalition’s citywide read of his book The Daycare Myth with discussion on changing the way we think about and invest in early childhood education

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Nashville Early Education Coalition (NEEC) today launched a month-long, citywide book read with a kickoff event at the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, featuring remarks and audience Q&A with Dr. Dan Wuori, author of The Daycare Myth: What We Get Wrong About Early Care and Education (and What We Should Do About It).

Building on NEEC’s August 27 screening and panel for the documentary Starting at Zero: Reimagining Education in America, the kickoff convened families, early-childhood educators, employers, and policymakers to discuss how aligning child care and education can strengthen outcomes for children and support Nashville’s talent pipeline.

“This morning’s conversation was a catalyst for everyone in the room, from early educators to local policymakers,” said Melanie Shinbaum, NEEC executive director. “When we change how we talk about our work from ‘just daycare’ to the importance of high-quality early learning and aligning around access, quality, and a stable early education workforce, parents can work, children can thrive, and our city grows stronger.” 

The citywide book read aligns with NEEC’s mission to spark community conversation on why high-quality early childhood education matters and to mobilize partners to remove barriers and champion policy solutions that benefit families, providers, and Nashville’s workforce.

Dr. Wuori emphasized the importance of treating high-quality early learning as a public good, and said that when states and cities do not invest early, they pay the price in higher crime rates, increased healthcare costs, and fewer stable families. He cited research by The Council for a Strong America that estimates Tennessee loses $2.3 billion annually due to what the council calls “the infant-toddler childcare crisis.”

“Learning begins in utero and never stops,” Dr. Wuori said. “Where young children spend their days is their first learning environment. Communities that bring care and education together see better outcomes — and stronger local economies.”

Additional Book Read Events

• Provider-hosted discussions: Several childcare centers across Nashville received grants from NEEC to host family-friendly book discussion nights, with child care and meals provided.
  
  • Oct. 9 at 5 p.m. — Fannie Batte Day Home for Children (108 Chapel Ave., Nashville 37206)
  • Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. —St. Mary Villa St. Mary Villa at Renewal House (3598 Clarksville Pike, Nashville, 37218)
  • Oct 21 at 6 p.m. — Equally Created Bellevue (7400 Hwy 70S, Nashville, 37221)
  • Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. — St. Mary Villa (1704 Heiman St., Nashville, 37208)
  • Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. — Equally Created South Nashville (283 Plus Park Blvd, Nashville, 37217) 
  • Oct. 31 at 3 p.m. — Schrader Lane Child Care & Early Learning Academy Campus Center (1234 Schrader Ln., Nashville, 37208)
  • Oct. 31 at 3 p.m. — Schrader Lane Child Care Center & Early Learning Academy Vine Hill Center (603 Benton Avenue Nashville, 37204)

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• Stakeholder Zooms: Three virtual sessions — one each with parents, professionals, policymakers — with facilitated conversations with The Daycare Myth author Dr. Dan Wuori. Session registration is on the NEEC website: https://www.nasheec.org/events
  
  • October 27 at 12:30 pm: Parents Power Lunch 
  • October 30 at 10 am: Policy-Maker's Power Chat 
  • October 30 at 12:30 pm: Early Childhood Education Professionals' Power Lunch

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About NEEC

The Nashville Early Education Coalition serves as a catalyst and champion for affordable and high-quality early learning. We collaborate with families, childcare providers, employers, and policymakers to ensure that every family has access to affordable, high-quality early education, so parents can work, children can thrive, and our city grows stronger. Learn more at www.nasheec.org.

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For more information contact:
Kelli Gauthier, Chorus

kelli@workwithchorus.com

301-471-2842

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