Jefferson Ready Start Network

Mission

Jefferson Ready Start Network aims to create a culture of high-quality, comprehensive early childhood services through engagement and partnerships with families, educators and community members.

Vision

All children birth to age 5 in Jefferson Parish have access to quality early childhood experiences that will prepare them to succeed.

Following yesterday's conversations with the Jefferson Parish legislative delegation, one thing is clear: access to early care and education remains one of the biggest challenges facing working families. Currently, only about 1 in 5 Louisiana children who need publicly funded care receive it. Expanding access is not just about supporting families, it is about strengthening our workforce and local econ#ChildCareMatterst#jeffersonreadystartStart ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
As Louisiana's legislative session continues, early care and education is front and center in conversations that impact children, families and businesses across Jefferson Parish. Tomorrow, Jefferson Ready Start Network will welcome members of the Jefferson Parish legislative delegration for a special lunch focused on these very issues, from access and funding to workforce solutions. We're proud to help bring local voices into the conversation and ensure the needs of our community are part of the discussion. ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Jefferson Ready Start Network is proud to recognize Representative Stephanie Hilferty as a Legislative Champion for Children by the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children.Representative Hilferty has long been a strong advocate for policies that support children and families across Louisiana, and her leadership continues to make a difference.In Jefferson Parish, the need for early care and education remains urgent. Many working families still struggle to find and afford high-quality child care, and providers are working every day to meet the growing demand for services that help children learn and thrive.Strengthening early learning opportunities is not only about preparing children for kindergarten — it’s about supporting parents, stabilizing the workforce and building stronger communities.We thank Representative Hilferty for being a champion for children and for recognizing the critical role early care and education plays in Louisiana’s future.#EarlyEducation #JeffersonParish ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

In Jefferson Parish…

There are

28k children birth to age 5

of
those

15-21k are economically disadvantaged

and

~4k are served by publicly funded seats

Why Does This Matter?

  • 90% of brain development occurs before the age of 5.
  • Children in a quality early learning center are 25% more likely to graduate from high school and 25% more likely to graduate from college.
  • Children not in quality early learning centers are 70% more likely to commit a violent crime by age 18.
  • Parents who can’t afford early care and education are forced to miss work more often, making it hard on businesses to find workers.
  • The Louisiana economy loses over 1.3 billion dollars every year due to breakdowns in our child care system.

Jefferson Ready Start Network is driven by our community’s need to improve opportunities and inspire change for children from birth to 5. We aim to create a culture of high-quality, comprehensive early childhood services through engagement and partnerships with families, educators and community members.

Are you ready to join us?