Battle Creek event to explore importance of early childhood education

An upcoming Business Summit in Battle Creek will highlight the importance of early childhood education and its impact on employers, the local economy and the community.  

The Summit is being convened by Project 20/20, the Calhoun Great Start Collaborative and Early Childhood Connections, along with numerous community partners.

It will highlight local early childhood initiatives in Battle Creek and identify examples of how businesses can affect early learning in their own businesses and in the community.  

Speakers are: Sterling Speirn, President and CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation; Dave Tomko, Regional President of PNC Financial Services Group and Cindy Ruble, Executive Director of the Battle Creek Educators’ Task Force.  

Businesses represented at the event will learn more about how preparing the youngest children for the future is critical to developing strong and competitive businesses. Research shows that effective early childhood education yields returns that include a well-prepared workforce, a future customer base with the means to buy products and services and increased workforce productivity — all factors that impact businesses, says Amanda Lankerd of Project 20/20.

There will be presentations and attendees will be asked to participate in a small group discussion of the ways early childhood learning positively impacts the local business climate and how businesses can positively impact early childhood learning.  

This conversation is intended to be a chance for business leaders and community members to not only learn about efforts to create positive change, but also to connect with others and engage in a meaningful conversation.   

“Early Learning is Good Business” is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Refreshments will be served at 5:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Source: Amanda Lankerd, Project 20/20