Kids in rural America deserve better

See how early learning programs give kids a strong start

When Jazmond began looking for a preschool for her 4-year-old son, Ben, she wanted a place that would encourage his curiosity and desire to learn.  It’s what every parent wants and every child deserves: the chance to learn, grow, build confidence and discover the world around them in a safe space. But for many families in rural America, those opportunities can be difficult to find.  The reality is that nearly 3 million children live in poverty in rural America. Families have far less access to licensed, center-based child care than families living in non-rural areas. Half of children in rural America aren’t ready for school by the time they turn 5, which can have lifelong consequences for their success in school and beyond. That’s why Save the Children’s U.S. education programs are so important. They help children build critical learning and social-emotional skills, connect families with trusted support and create opportunities that can positively shape a child’s future for years to come. With the help of our supporters, we reached more than 720,000 kids across 20 states last year. Read more about the impact in our newly-released 2025 U.S. Program Annual Report.   Head Start teachers helped Ben come out of his shell and begin making new friends. When Jazmond found her local Save the Children Head Start center in North Carolina, she found more than a preschool for Ben. She found caring teachers and a supportive community that helped her son build friendships and discover a love of learning. “He had so many things to say, so many thoughts to express,” Jazmond says. Eventually, Ben’s younger brother, Keon, joined the program, too. Now, he’s learning patience, cooperation and how to thrive in a classroom setting alongside other children.    3-year-old Keon joined his older brother at preschool, where he’s learning how to thrive in a classroom. “He’ll come home and teach us things,” their dad, Malik, shared. “We could not be more overjoyed with the results [of this program].” Today, Jazmond and Malik help other families access the same support through Save the Children’s Head Start Policy Council. Along the way, they’ve found not only educational resources, but also encouragement, connection and a community they can trust. In rural communities across the country, Save the Children is helping children build the strong foundations they need for lifelong success — because every child, everywhere deserves a chance to thrive. Read more about the impact our supporters make possible >> Thank you for showing up for children and families in the U.S. and around the world. Warmly, Save the Children     Privacy Policy | Contact | Unsubscribe   © 2026 Save the Children Federation, Inc. 501 Kings Highway East, Suite 400 Fairfield, CT 06825 1-800-728-3843 Photo: Victoria Zegler