This literature review was commissioned by the Ministry of Education to provide policy makers with a synthesis of research that analyses the impact of early childhood education (ECE) for children and families.
Purpose
This literature review was commissioned by the Ministry of Education to provide policy makers with a synthesis of research that analyses the impact of early childhood education (ECE) for children and families. It addresses three questions:
- What (short-term and long-term) developmental, educational, social, and economic outcomes are associated with participation in ECE for learners and their families?
- Are different outcomes associated with different population groups and under different circumstances/ contexts? In particular:
- What types of institutional (e.g. differences in educational/care systems, types of services), funding and regulatory arrangements/frameworks are associated with achieving positive outcomes?
- When are adverse impacts more likely and for whom?
- How do different outcomes interact/relate with one another?
- What is the size/significance of the different impacts of ECE? How long do the effects last?