Elected officials, business leaders, and early childhood champions gathered on February 10th, 2026, at Grandma’s Arms Child Development Center for a special Early Ed Month child care site visit. The site visit was hosted by Community Foundation of North Louisiana (CFNLA), in partnership with the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children (LPIC), the Louisiana Early Childhood Business Roundtable, and the Louisiana Association of Business & Industry (LABI).
As part of Early Ed Month 2026, this regional child care site visit spotlighted the urgent need to expand and strengthen access to high-quality early childhood education for children from birth through age 4.
“Investing in early childhood education is an investment in Louisiana’s future,” said Dr. Libbie Sonier, chief executive officer of LPIC. “Every year that we delay investment in our children, the state loses economically, academically, and socially. While children deserve a strong start in life, parents also deserve the stability that reliable child care provides them. Expanding access to early childhood programs is a smart thing to do for our Louisiana children, families, and the workforce.”
After remarks from Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux, Caddo Schools Superintendent Keith Burton, Shreveport City Council Chairwoman Tabatha Taylor, and Caddo Parish Commission President Gregory Young, attendees participated in a guided tour. The tour allowed them to gain firsthand insight into the daily learning experiences of Louisiana’s young children and the operational challenges early education providers may face. Attendees also learned about CFNLA’s Early Childhood Education Scholarship Initiative providing full-tuition scholarships to Caddo Parish families who otherwise would struggle to afford the high annual cost of child care. Since 2021, this initiative has leveraged more than $25 million in public-private funds, including an annual dollar-for-dollar match from the State of Louisiana’s Early Childhood Education Fund.
“CFNLA is proud to partner with our local leaders and generous community members to increase access to high-quality early childhood education in Caddo Parish,” said CFNLA CEO Kristi Gustavson during the event. “High-quality child care not only strengthens our economy, but it also supports our parents and lays the foundation for academic success.”
Early Ed Month highlights the importance of early learning that comes from high-quality early childhood programs. Throughout February, communities across the state will host events designed to engage policymakers, educators, families, and business leaders in supporting Louisiana’s youngest learners.
To learn more about early childhood education in Louisiana, please visit policyinstitutela.org. Additionally, you can join in the conversation by using #LAEarlyEdMonth on social media.
