Louisiana's state legislators have taken the first step in making Louisiana's children a priority by passing Senate Bill 286, legislation that would make all pre-school programs readily available to Louisiana's 4-year-olds by 2013.

Louisiana is among the top ten states in spending on early childhood education and Gov. Bobby Jindal is pushing to add another $2.5 million to that cause, the governor's wife said today at a gathering of New Orleans area women dedicated to making the post-Katrina world better for the state's youngsters.

Like a child gone astray, Louisiana's oversight of day care centers needs some strong intervention and a healthy dose of attention to details before any more time is lost. Early warning signals that attention is due have been getting ever louder in the past couple of years.

The state's social services department licensed child care facilities without making sure they meet minimum standards, according to an audit released Monday that says the agency needs stronger policies to properly protect Louisiana's children.

Day-care directors across the state should begin receiving letters this week inviting them to participate in a program that encourages higher child-care standards that could also pay off financially.

With only about 33 percent of the child-care centers back up and running in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina, the United Way is at the forefront of helping rebuild child-care facilities that will prepare young children to succeed in school.