Early Childhood Education: Improving Children's Early Experiences

Abstract

Parents face many problems when choosing early childhood programs, including both the lack of available high quality care and the high cost of care. In a large national study, six out of seven programs evaluated were rated as poor to mediocre by early childhood professionals. Furthermore, one out of three facilities caring for infants and toddlers were rated as potentially harmful environments. Research findings show poor quality care can have devastating short- and long-term effects on young children. On the other hand, high quality programs can have positive short- and long-term effects, and can even partially compensate for a poor home environment.