It was the four-year-old boy’s turn. At Precious Moments Family Childcare in Rockville, preschoolers had been shaping letters with their bodies through a series of yoga poses. The energy in the room slowly shifted from active movement to quiet reflection. One by one, each child was invited to chime the yoga bell and offer a wish or blessing.
The boy approached the bell with care. In a barely audible voice, he whispered, “I miss my mom.” He struck the bell with the small mallet—bing—and the sound lingered in the air, carrying his simple truth far beyond the room. He then passed the mallet to the next calm child in line.
As a daily yoga practitioner, I received this moment with deep gratitude. The Friday TalkYoga teacher visits Precious Moments through a grant from a philanthropic organization. “We envision a society where all children thrive,” reads the Bainum Family Foundation’s website—a vision that aligns seamlessly with the philosophy of Precious Moments founder, Tiffany Jones, who places children’s well-being at the heart of her family child care program.
Jones and I also serve together on the board of the Children’s Opportunity Alliance (COA), an independent 501(c)(3) organization led by Executive Director Kimberly Rusnak. COA exists to strengthen our child care system so that children, families, educators, employers, and businesses across the county can thrive. The organization brings together stakeholders—from philanthropic partners to family child care providers—to identify opportunities, close gaps, and build sustainable solutions.
Yet our current system is strained. Child care in our county is expensive, difficult to access, and a persistent barrier to workforce participation. At the same time, early educators—dedicated professionals doing some of the most consequential work in our community—are often underpaid and receive few benefits. The question we must ask is simple and urgent: how did we allow a system so essential to our collective success to fall into disrepair?
Decades of research provide a clear answer to why this matters. Landmark studies, including the Perry Preschool Project (Heckman et al., 2010), demonstrate that the greatest return on investment in human development occurs from birth to age five. Children who are read to, encouraged to play meaningfully, nourished well, kept active, supported in their curiosity, and surrounded by affection are far more likely to attend school consistently, graduate, pursue higher education, and build stable careers. They are less likely to experience homelessness, food insecurity, or involvement with the justice system. In turn, they raise healthier, more self-sufficient families.
“Our child care systems must be repaired.” This belief is more than a mantra—it is the driving force behind the work of Children’s Opportunity Alliance.
In recent years, COA has made measurable progress. The organization helped expand community-based, state-funded Pre-K seats from 354 to 646. It launched The Sandbox, a monthly blog offering data and insights on early childhood issues. COA has convened community conversations with leaders such as The Daycare Myth author Dan Wuori and former County Executive Ike Leggett to examine the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. It has mobilized early childhood education leaders to advocate in Annapolis and submitted written and oral testimony on 14 bills during the State’s 2025 legislative session—sometimes giving voice to individuals who had never before stepped into the County Council chambers.
The work ahead remains daunting. But it is also hopeful. When children and families flourish, entire communities benefit. Like the sound of a chime echoing outward, the impact carries farther than we can see, quietly shaping a stronger future for us all.
The boy approached the bell with care. In a barely audible voice, he whispered, “I miss my mom.”