Based on the premise that the earliest years of a child's life are key to predicting ultimate success in school and life, this Texas Kids Count Project report examines early childhood education in the state, focusing on children from low-income families. The report discusses the importance of the early years of life for neurological development and the need for quality child care and early education programs, especially as the number of children with working parents increases. The report notes that about 30 percent of Texas children younger than 6 years old live in poverty and thereby face increased risks, in later years. They deserve to receive early education that will help them enter school prepared to learn. The report also describes the benefits of early child care and preschool education programs and the characteristics of quality early education. Information is provided on the availability of early childhood education, with the caution that children in low-income families are particularly at risk of receiving inadequate care. Also presented is information on the percentages of Texas 3 and 4 year olds enrolled in public prekindergarten programs for each county and for the state as a whole. Finally, the report describes the Parents as Teachers Program as a successful early parenting program that provides comprehensive services to families from the third trimester of pregnancy until children are three years of age. The report concludes with a call for greater investment in both the quantity and quality of early care and education. (Contains 33 notes.) (KB)