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Why is Preschool Education Important?

  • One third more at-risk children who attended a quality early childhood program graduated from high school than those who did not attend did.

  • Children at-risk that have benefited from a quality early childhood program spend 1.3 years less in some form of special education placement.

  • Children at-risk who have been enrolled in a quality early childhood program are 25 percent less likely to be retained a grade.

  • As adults, those who attended a quality early childhood program are three times as likely to be homeowners by age 27.

  • Young women who have experienced a quality early childhood program are one-third less likely to have out-of-wedlock births and 25 percent less likely to be teen mothers.

  • At-risk children not afforded the opportunity to participate in a quality early childhood program are five times more likely to be arrested repeatedly by age 27.

  • Children participating in quality preschool programs were found to have a greater degree of motivation than their peers do.

  • A quality preschool program has immediate positive effects on children's development, including self-esteem, achievement motivation, and social behavior.

  • Parents of participating preschool students take a more active role in the education of their children.

  • Children participating in comprehensive preschool programs have better access to dental and medical care.

  • Participating children are more likely to be assessed for developmental, vision, speech, and hearing deficits and receive treatment and follow-up evaluations at a higher rate than their peers are.

  • Positive effects on family functioning are seen in parents and families of participating preschool children. A quality program, focusing on parent, family and child variables, aided parents in seeing their children's competence and social acceptance more positively.

  • Parents who are more actively involved with Head Start are found to have greater life quality satisfaction and increased confidence in coping abilities, and decreased feelings of anxiety, depression, and sickness.

  • Parents report an increase in knowledge of available social services and resources and a decrease in negative attitudes towards public schools.

  • A review of 40 early childhood programs, found positive long-term effects on parent or teacher ratings of anti-social behavior and/or actual delinquency records.