Every parent wants the best for their children, and getting them a great education should be your top priority. Many parents dismiss early learning as “optional,” but a wide array of statistical evidence shows just how much of an impact a pre-kindergarten program can have on your child’s development.

A pre-K program will give your child the early head start they need to reach their full potential as they continue to grow. It’s a crucial part in building a solid educational foundation for your child so they’re well-prepared for anything that comes their way when normal schooling begins. Here are just three of the many reasons that you should be considering enrolling your child in a great pre-K program:

Your child is ready to learn sooner than you think. A child starts to learn important words at about 15-18 months of age, and their brain continues to develop exponentially after that. Between the ages of 3 and 5, a child’s vocabulary grows to over 2,500 words, and sentences become longer and more complex. You need to “strike while the iron is hot” and enroll your child in a pre-K program, enabling them to make use of their new-found knowledge. Children who do not experience pre-K will often remain stagnant in their growth and fall behind when they finally enroll in regular kindergarten programs.

Personalized learning plans. Young children enrolled in preschool programs and/or pre-K are privy to unique learning opportunities that other children do not get the chance to experience. Often times, specific issues in a child’s educational development aren’t noticed until they’ve already begun or even completed kindergarten. Once they reach first grade, your child’s school may not have the resources to place them in a one-on-one learning setting. A great pre-K program will offer your child individual educational opportunities that will allow them to correct any flaws or lags in their development to adequately prepare for elementary school.

Broaden your child’s horizons. The scholastic performance of children who were enrolled in pre-K programs is leaps and bounds beyond their peers who did not experience pre-K. The estimated return on investment for high quality early childhood education is a whopping 10%. To put this in perspective, the average return on investment in the stock market is 7.2%. Enrolling your child in pre-K will put them on the fast track to scholarships, which in turn will make them more likely to land a high-paying job when they complete their education.

You want your child to succeed more than anyone, and enrolling them in a pre-K program is the first step in ensuring their success. Find a great program in your area and take advantage of all the incredible benefits that they have to offer.