Why do countries invest in early childhood education and care?

1. Why do countries invest in early childhood education and care? Larry Schweinhart

2. Evidence that • Early childhood experience influences brain development. • Good programs have long-term effects and return on investment. Early childhood education contributes to children’s development.

3. Childhood intellectual performance • Teen school achievement • Fewer teen births • Placements in regular classes • High school graduation • Adult earnings • Fewer crimes • Up to $16 return on the dollar Short- and Long-Term Effects from 3 Studies

4. High/Scope Perry Preschool StudyMajor findings over time

5. HighScope Perry Preschool StudyLarge return on investment (Per participant in 2008 constant dollars discounted 3% annually)

6. Most recent studies of preschool programs find only modest short-term effects on children’s literacy and social skills • Poor candidates for long-term effects and return on investment But Other Studies Find Only Modest Effects

7. To get what we got, Do what we did! Implication

8. Target low-income children • Have and support enough qualified teachers • Use a validated, interactive child development curriculum • Spend a lot of time with parents • Continuously assess program quality and child development Five Ingredients of Highly Effective Preschool Programs

9. Preschool for all includes needy children and has wider political support. • But long-term effects are seldom looked for and yet to be found for middle-income children • Tulsa, Oklahoma, study of pre-k for all children found large short-term effects on school achievement. Target Low-Income and At-Risk Children

10. Qualified = Teaching certificate based on a relevant bachelor’s degree. • Curriculum-based supervision and systematic in-service training. • Two qualified adults for 16-20 four-year-olds per class. Have and Support Enough Qualified Teachers

11. Children and teachers design learning activities • All aspects of children’s development • Evidence of effectiveness • Requires interactive training, study, and practice Use a Validated, Interactive Child Development Curriculum

12. Meet with parents and children regularly. • Educate parents about their children’s development. • Include children’s other center and home caregivers. Teachers Spend a Lot of Time with Parents.

13. Assess implementation of an effective program model. • Assess children’s developing school readiness. • Attune teaching to assessment. Continuously Assess Program Quality and Child Development.