How High-Quality Child Care Can Improve Military Readiness in Louisiana

Our national security depends on qualified young adults who are ready, willing, and able to serve in the U.S. military. However, educational deficits, health issues, and behavior problems currently prevent 75 percent of young Louisianians from qualifying for service.

There is scientific consensus that brain development from birth to age five sets the stage for children’s future success. Sixty-eight percent of Louisiana children under the age of six (238,000 children) have parents or a single parent who works outside the home, and many of these children are not in high-quality child care. Without improvements to the child care system, our nation risks an even smaller recruiting pool in the future.

In this report, we cite research demonstrating that high-quality child care can support children’s success, and military readiness, in three categories: education, fitness, and behavior.

Given the long-term benefits of high-quality child care to children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development, state and federal policymakers should continue to promote quality, access and affordability. Support for high-quality child care is an investment in our future national security.