As an advocate for continued and increased funding for Early Learning I was thrilled to find the results of a research study that proves the return on the investment is alive and active more than a dozen years after the child transitions from a quality child care setting to elementary school.  The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) carried out this study with 1,300 children with diverse backgrounds; low-income, middle-income, single parent and two-parent homes.  “The researchers sought to determine if early child care quality, quantity, and type predict children’s achievement and behavior problems at age 15” (Vandell,  Belsky,  Burchinal, Steinbert, & Vandergrift,  2010).

The results of the study include evidence that teens scored higher on tests and academic achievement when they attended high quality pre-school settings.  Due to attendance of high-quality child care settings during their toddler and pre-school years, the study participants showed “fewer behavior problems-including rule-breaking, arguing, and hanging out with peers who get in trouble – than teens who had attended poor-quality child care” (Vandell et al., 2010).

I have filed this research study in my resource bank for future references when I am working with my colleagues in writing letters to legislators pleading for continued early learning funding.  No matter the state of the current economy, it has been my experience that we need to continue educating legislators and the general public on the benefits of not only investing in early learning but also investing in oversight to ensure quality services for all children and families. This research study will support our efforts.

Reference:

Vandell, D.L., Belsky, J., Burchinal, M., Steinberg, L., Vandergrift, N. (2010, May 14). Child Development, Vol. 81, Issue 3, Do Effects of Early Child Care Extend to Age 15 Years?  Retrieved November 17, 2011 from www.srdc.org.