Having more educated workers strengthens communities, making it easier to attract new businesses and enabling existing employers to improve productivity and expand.

It is time that the state met the childcare needs of working families and the business community while promoting stronger educational outcomes for the next generation of workers.

Federal COVID relief funds offer Michigan a chance to add child care support that will pay dividends for decades.

Model programs in states like Oklahoma provide money to attract quality teachers and properly train them, an upfront investment that will pay off mightily for Michigan down the road.