There’s nothing more important than ensuring our community’s children have what they need to thrive. Whether it’s space in a high-quality preschool or opportunities to engage in activities outside of the classroom, we work to ensure that starting at birth, kids and families have the tools and resources to succeed in school and life, helping them not only survive, but thrive.
The Need
Kentucky
40th in the country for child well-being
43rd in family and community factors
21% of children live in poverty
61% of 3 and 4-year-olds not in preschool
44% of children enter kindergarten ready to learn (42.8% in Jefferson County)
The child care system in Jefferson County lacks space for an estimated 4,759 children whose families want care
An average of 1,177 children are born with low birthweights each year in Jefferson County which means higher chances of health conditions later in life
Jefferson County has an average of 1,634 annual births to mothers without a high school education
Indiana
24th in the country for child well-being
31st in family and community factors
16% of children live in poverty
60% of 3 and 4-year-olds not in preschool
67% of fourth graders not proficient in reading
Sources: 2024 Kids Count Data Book, aec.org, JCPS Brigance, Louisville Metro Public Health, 2021 U.S. Census American Community Survey, MUW data analysis
View the 2023-2024 Louisville Early Learning Workforce Study
Key points from the report include:
- 30% of early learning teaching staff and 30% of family child care providers have a total family income of less than $30,000
- 11% of teachers and 13% of assistant teachers, working full-time, said they must work another job to make ends meet
- 47% of teachers left their center in the past year
- 22% of teachers said they “probably will not” or “definitely will not” be in the field in three years
...and our partners in this work
It will take all of us working together to ensure every kid in our community thrives. Join us and invest today.