Quantum leaps in early learning

That's what Graciela Italiano-Thomas believes the public-private partnership Thrive by Five is capable of. As CEO of this emerging nonprofit focused on promoting community-based, market-driven solutions to expand access to early learning opportunities in our state, Thrive by Five is in the midst of developing an integrated, effective and culturally competent strategy to ensure all children are ready for school and life.

This morning I had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Thomas speak at a breakfast hosted by the Seattle Chamber of Commerce. Stacked with impressive credentials including former CEO of Los Angeles Universal Preschool and Centro de la Familia de Utah, senior consultant to the National Head Start bureau and recipient of numerous awards, Dr. Thomas' resume speaks volumes but her words resonate above it all.

She presented astounding data about the state of our children here in Washington including a chart showing more than than 2,000 licensed childcare centers in the state. Only 144 of these centers are locally accredited and a measly 26 are nationally accredited. Needless to say, I started to get a little depressed.

She then began outlining Thrive by Five's goals and strategies from the work being done in their demonstration communities to the development of a childcare quality rating and improvement system. My mood began to lighten. She talked about baseline research, evaluation and accountability (yes!) and creating effective models that she hopes to be the "sparks" that eventually spread across the entire state.

She eloquently answered questions from the audience about universal childcare, brain science, and estimated timeframes for the state to see measurable results. But in each of her answers was one consistent message: collaboration and dialogue is key.

It will take legislators, elected officials, educators from early learning to higher ed, business leaders, parents -- everyone working together to make necessary gains.

It's a daunting task. But Thrive by Five is definitely headed in the right direction. And I left the room hopeful.