Msnbc.com recently released a story about the importance of good early child care. Bob Stein reported on findings from a federally funded study that has been following 1,300 children since 1991 to observe the relationship between the quality of early child care and behavioral and academic development. The study found that the quality of early child care has lasting effects through at least age 15 with low-quality early child care resulting in obedience and academic problems that persist through the teenage years.

“Several experts praised the findings, saying they underscore the urgent need for local, state and federal governments, employers and others to improve access to high-quality child care.”

The Lenox Library has been reaching out to local day cares and schools and holding children’s programs for years. The Lenox Library Youth Department has been playing a vital role in the early development of reading skills and the love of learning. To learn more about what our Youth Department is doing to help the community, call Ms. Debby at (413) 637-0197 ext 105 or email her at dcuthbert@lenoxlib.org.

To read the entire story from msnbc.com, click here.