We all want the best for our children. And the opportunity to give young children the best kind of education just landed in Waterville.

Local and state officials and some very generous philanthropists announced on Monday that Waterville had been chosen as the site for an innovative $10 million early childhood education center, which will be the first of its kind in New England.

Three million dollars of that money comes from Doris Buffett, a Maine summer resident and the sister of investor Warren Buffet; another $2 million comes from local donors Bill and Joan Alfond, whose family has long supported efforts to help Maine's children.

Buffett and the Alfonds have given the $5 million as a challenge, which will require that other donors contribute the remaining $5 million toward construction.

The philosophy behind Educare is that 85 percent of brain development happens before age 3 and that children suffer educationally if they aren't given a supportive and stimulating environment during that time.

The Department of Education says 46 percent of Maine children are not ready to learn when they arrive at their first kindergarten class and thus face challenges that hinder their long-term ability to prosper -- as well as cost the state money in remedial efforts.

Maine taxpayers spend $300 million annually on special education, much of which is targeted to children who aren't prepared or able to learn.

Educare aims to give comprehensive support to families and their children in the preschool years so that they arrive in kindergarten emotionally, intellectually and physically ready for an education.

"We want to even the playing field," said Joan Alfond, a former kindergarten teacher. "Every kid should be given an education."

The center will serve 166 children, mostly from low-income families. The program stresses parent and family involvement, which studies have shown is a critical element in a child's educational success.

And while Waterville beat out Portland, Lewiston and Bangor as the site for the state's first Educare center, the Waterville center won't only benefit Waterville. It's designed to be a laboratory for visiting teachers and students who want to learn the most up-to-date educational methods for young children.

The center is set to open in 2010. There's a lot of planning and fundraising between now and then. But in the meantime, hearty congratulations to those who set out to bring this great gift to the children and families of Waterville, and to the state.

When we give our children the care they need, we all benefit.