When we think about what builds strong communities in Ventura County—roads, schools, hospitals, and businesses—we too often overlook something just as important: high-quality early childhood education (ECE). What happens in a child’s first five years shapes the rest of their life. These are the years when brains develop most rapidly, building language processing, social skills, and problem-solving abilities. Numerous studies demonstrate that if children start kindergarten behind their expected ability levels, catching up is hard. However, when they start strongly, they are far more likely to graduate high school, go to college, and build stable careers.
ECE is not only good for children—it’s economically smart. Economist James Heckman found every dollar invested in preschool yields a $7 to $13 return through higher earnings, reduced crime, and lower spending on remedial education and social services.
In Ventura County, that return matters. We have about 55,000 children under six, yet the cost of care is daunting: center-based infant care averages $22,000 a year, while preschool for a 3- to 5-year-old costs about $15,500—often more than in-state college tuition. Meanwhile, entry-level ECE teachers earn near-poverty wages, leading to turnover that undermines quality.
High-quality preschool prepares tomorrow’s workforce while supporting today’s. Parents can’t work if they lack reliable childcare. Across the U.S., childcare breakdowns cost states billions in lost productivity. Local parents face the same reality: some cut hours or leave jobs altogether because of affordability or availability. Businesses suffer when employees are distracted, absent, or unable to advance.
When families have dependable care, parents can strengthen their incomes and contribute to the economy. Children benefit from nurturing classrooms, and businesses gain a more stable labor pool.
In our District, we see how early education builds children, careers, and communities at once. The Child Development Centers (CDCs) at the Community Colleges of Ventura County are living laboratories where children thrive in discovery-rich classrooms while college students preparing to be teachers practice their skills in real time.
These centers offer a triple benefit:
- Community families gain access to high-quality, evidence-based early care and education.
- Student parents pursue their degrees and career goals, knowing their children are nurtured.
- ECE students gain hands-on experience preparing them for careers in preschools, community programs, and schools across Ventura County.
High-quality ECE depends on one factor above all: the skill and preparation of teachers. Research shows that well-trained early educators foster stronger language, social, and cognitive growth in children. These professionals must understandhow young children learn, design discovery-rich environments for those children and support both academic and emotional development. Moorpark College's CDC meets the highest national benchmarks for quality, affirmed by its accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)—a standard that ensures children thrive and educators train in exemplary settings.
According to Dr. Cynthia Sheaks, chair of the ECE program at Moorpark College, “Through play, children learn to negotiate, persist, and imagine—the very qualities that drive future successes. Discovery-based curriculum supports intellectual and ‘soft skills’ every employer values. Play is the natural mode of learning, often overlooked but essential. It builds creativity, resilience, and executive functioning skills.”
Dr. Sheaks’ words highlight why Ventura County’s CDCs matter: they ensure children learn in ways that spark curiosity and build lifelong capacities while simultaneously preparing teachers to lead classrooms with confidence.
That is why the role of our community colleges is so critical. At Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura colleges, ECE programs prepare students with theory and real-time practice with guidance from experienced mentors. These future teachers graduate ready to step into classrooms and meet the growing demand for ECE specialists. Especially with California’s expansion of transitional kindergarten, workforce readiness is essential—children deserve teachers who are competent from day one.
Despite clear benefits, our nation underinvests in early learning. Funding is inconsistent, programs vary in quality, and families shoulder an unsustainable share of the cost.
The solutions are clear:
- Expand access to affordable preschool for low- and middle-income families.
- Invest in the workforce, raising pay and providing professional development so early educators can persist.
- Stabilize funding so programs can plan long term.
- Expand supply through centers, family child care homes, and innovative college-based models like Ventura County’s Child Development Resources.
Now is the time for policymakers, business leaders, and the community to prioritize early education and the workforce pipeline. This isn’t just childcare—it’s community building and career building. The timeliness is clear: September is National Student Parent Month, and October 6 through 11 is National Campus Children’s Centers Week—both reminders that investing in early education supports entire families and strengthens local communities.
When we invest in children early, we invest in their parents, their teachers, and the future of Ventura County.