Mississippi Bets on Early Childhood to Boost Economy

Mississippi Bets on Early Childhood to Boost Economy

A fundraising event for the Mississippi Early Learning Alliance (MELA) drew attention to how subsidized childcare can restore opportunities for families and shape the state’s future economy. At the Two Mississippi Museums, Freeman spoke about growing up in the Delta and how a lifelong love of reading helped him pursue flying, sailing, acting and more, underscoring the idea that books can unlock countless doors.

The inaugural fundraiser highlighted real stories: parents who have re-entered the workforce or returned to school because affordable, reliable childcare is available. Yet advocates warn that turning these stories into sustained progress will require coordinated, statewide action to expand access.

Advocates stress that the challenge is greatest for birth-to-three-year-olds. Biz Harris, executive director of MELA, said access is limited and affordability is even tougher for families. “When it comes to birth-to-three-year-old child care, it is hard to access, and even harder to afford for families,” Harris said.

The economic stakes are high. A MELA report notes that about 7% of Mississippi’s labor force remains out of full-time work due to childcare challenges, potentially reducing the state’s GDP by as much as $8 billion annually. The same report shows that nearly a third of Mississippi children under five lack access to a licensed childcare slot. This year, lawmakers allocated $15 million for Mississippi’s Child Care Payment Program, but the long-term outlook remains tight because the state no longer has hundreds of millions in COVID-19 relief funds to prop up the program.

Mississippi spends far less per child on early childhood education than many other states. The report cites roughly $600 per child in Mississippi versus more than $3,000 in neighboring Arkansas. By contrast, the current average annual cost of center-based care for one child in the United States is over $13,000.

Still, Harris believes Mississippi can become a national leader in early childhood outcomes if the state builds on foundations laid by Head Start and its own early learning collaboratives. “If we focus on the first five years of life for Mississippi children, we can change the whole trajectory of those children’s lives and ensure that our state thrives forever,” Harris said.

Retired Mississippi English teacher Linda Anthony, who spent more than 30 years in the classroom, emphasizes the lasting benefits of early education. She notes that a strong reading background supports comprehension and self-expression, and ultimately lays a foundation for success in any subject—and in life. Anthony urged lawmakers to go beyond communicating with administrators and to observe classrooms, see what teachers are accomplishing, and then translate those observations into legislation. “Go into the classrooms, observe these children, pay attention to what the teachers are doing and trying to accomplish and then make the laws,” Anthony said.

What this means for families and policymakers
– Expanded access to affordable childcare could boost workforce participation and reduce GDP losses tied to childcare gaps.
– Mississippi faces a funding gap as federal relief money wanes; creative state-level funding and strategic investments are needed to sustain and grow childcare programs.
– Long-term gains could come from aligning early childhood investments with classroom-based outcomes, teacher training, and ongoing program evaluation to build on the Mississippi Miracle in K-12 performance.

Summary and outlook
The MELA fundraiser spotlights a critical link between early childhood care and Mississippi’s economic vitality. With targeted investments, enhanced access for birth-to-three-year-olds, and a continued emphasis on high-quality early education, the state has an opportunity to improve lifelong outcomes for children and strengthen its economic future. A hopeful path forward lies in turning strong reading foundations and classroom observations into durable policies that support families from the earliest years onward.

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