Page 45 - 2015 Compass Now

Learning Throughout Early Development EDUCATION

Child development refers to the changes that occur as a child grows and develops in relation to being
physically healthy, mentally alert, emotionally sound, socially competent, and ready to learn1. Research
has shown that the first five years of life, especially the first three years, are critical to the development of
a child’s brain. These early experiences provide the base for the brain’s organizational development and
functioning throughout life1. In addition, these experiences have direct impact on how children develop
learning skills, along with social and emotional abilities. Children learn more quickly during these years
than the other years in their lives. Love and nurturing during these years contribute to a sense of trust and
security that can later translate into self-confidence1. For optimal learning and growth, children benefit most
from love, attention, encouragement, mental stimulation, and nutritious meals. Whether these learning
experiences take place in formal or informal settings, quality of care during these early years has a direct
impact on the quality of life during and after childhood. For families that enroll their children in child care,
the Great Rivers Region has several rating programs that help parents choose a quality childcare facility.

YoungStar is a program of the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families that evaluates and rates the
quality of care given by childcare providers, which helps parents choose the best child care for their kids;
supports providers with tools and training to deliver high-quality early care; and sets a consistent standard
for child care quality by using a 1- to 5-star rating system. In December of 2014, there was a total of 4,339
YoungStar-rated providers in the state of Wisconsin. Of those, 370 were 5-star providers2.

The state of Minnesota offers Parent Aware, a voluntary star rating program that measures the quality of
child care and early education programs throughout the state. Families can use these star ratings to help
them identify childcare/early education providers who understand the latest best practices in early learning.
In 2014, the Parent Aware Program of Minnesota included a total of 2,177 Parent Aware providers. More
information regarding YoungStar and Parent Aware can be found in the COMPASS NOW 2015 Education
Indicators.

Overall, 63.6% of the COMPASS NOW 2015 Random Household Survey respondents stated that they felt
the early education opportunities in our community were good or excellent. More specifically, 55.9% of
respondents stated that they felt the availability of birth-to-three education in our region was good or
excellent. When looking specifically at respondents who are in childbearing years (21-50 years old), this
number increases to over 86%.

Enrollment and School Funding

Enrollment in public schools is measured by counting the number of students enrolled in school on a
particular day in September or October. In 2013, the Great Rivers Region had approximately 37,586
school aged students (PreK-12) in public schools, 3,451 students (K-12) in private schools, and 688 being
homeschooled. Compared to the 2011 survey, this shows an increase in public school enrollment over other
school choices. There are 27 public school districts in the region with 119 public schools and 46 private
schools.

Table 1 shows school enrollment by county for 2011 and 2013. Between these years, an increase in public
school enrollment was seen in all counties except Trempealeau County, with most significant growth in
Houston County. Private school enrollment varied by county, dropping most significantly in La Crosse County
(4.32%). However, Monroe County experienced the largest increase in private school enrollment during
this time (1.5%). Reporting of homeschooled students to the residential school district is required by the
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Amish schools are included in private school enrollment;
however, their compliance with reporting varies. Homeschool enrollment dropped substantially in all
Wisconsin counties of the Great Rivers Region in this two-year period.

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