When tracking progress in improving early education in this country it’s important to look beyond new programs, government spending and research to how and where early learning issues are discussed.

So, it was noteworthy when MSNBC.com’s “The Dylan Ratigan Show” focused on the importance of early learning and the Educare model in particular.  When early education gains traction beyond advocacy and parent-focused media it can generate momentum for change.

In the 10-minute clip, Ratigan talks with the Buffett Early Childhood Fund’s Susie Buffett and Daniel Pedersen about why early learning matters.

“If children are prepared to go into kindergarten the K-12 system works a lot better,” Buffett told Ratigan. “Once you start failing in kindergarten it is very hard to change that.”

Ratigan talked with Buffett and Pedersen during a stop on his “Steel on Wheels Tour on Innovation,” which, in part, highlights efforts to revitalize our education system.  And the host, a veteran Wall Street journalist, clearly believes in Educare and quality early learning.

“Educating our kids early from birth that the key to restoring economic vitality and ensuring our children inherit the future they deserve and the future our country is more than capable of creating,” Ratigan said at the start of the feature.