CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Since 2008, IKEA US has been committed to Save the Childrens Early Steps to School Success program. The early education program supports low-income families by providing early childhood development services, including home visits by early childhood coordinators. This summer, during the month of July, every time an IKEA customer scans the IKEA Family card, a donation will be made to Save the Childrens Early Steps to School Success program. To date, IKEA has donated over $625,000 to this program.

Simply put, early childhood education is essential to teaching kids how to learn. And yet,two out of five kids in America today arent enrolled in any kind of preschool program, said Mark Shriver, Senior Vice President, Save the Childrens U.S. Programs. Without a quality early education program, children born into poverty will fall 18 months behind their peers by age four. Our partnership with IKEA supports programs that help give these kids a fair shot at success in school and life.

In America, nearly one in four children lives in poverty. And research shows that children affected by poverty are less likely to attend preschool, have their parents read aloud to them, and graduate from high school. Research also confirms that the first three years of life shape a childs readiness for entering school. Whats more, the parent-child relationship plays a critical role in whether the child is cognitively, socially and emotionally developed - all of which impacts the childs motivation to learn.

In partnership with schools and community-based organizations, Save the Children provides early childhood education services to pregnant women, mothers and children 0 to 5 years of age. Early Steps program coordinators implement this work through a home-visiting model for expecting families and those with children ages 0-3. For children ages 3-5, the program includes transition-to-school activities and education services for the parents.

Save the Children has been working for more than 20 years to develop and support Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) programs and national-level policies that benefit young children and their families. Through Early Steps to School Success, Save the Children is building strong foundations for parenting and school readiness, while serving as a powerful catalyst to help children achieve a lifetime of learning. IKEA is pleased to continue to support this valuable program.

What is Save the Childrens Early Steps to School Success Program?

About IKEA:

IKEA, the worlds leading home furnishings company, was founded in 1943 in Sweden. Since then, IKEA, the Life Improvement Store has offered home furnishings and accessories of great design and quality with functional living solutions at everyday low prices. Currently there are more than 300 IKEA stores in 37 countries, including 50 in North America (11 in Canada; 38 in the US; 1 in the Dominican Republic). IKEA has six distribution centers in North America. TIME Magazine (May 2009) listed IKEA as one of the top 8 most global eco conscious companies. IKEA incorporates environmentally friendly efforts into day-to-day business and continuously supports initiatives that benefit causes such as children and the environment including UNICEF, Save the Children and American Forests. To visit the IKEA Web site, please go to http://www.IKEA-usa.com and also learn more about IKEA environmental and social responsibility actions and programs.

About Save the Children:

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IKEA Continues to Support Save the Children’s Early Steps to School Success Program