RESEARCH

The early care and education system is very important for all of Nebraska.  Consider the following, from early Childhood in Nebraska:

The Importance of Early Childhood Education:

• Rapid brain development, acquistion of language, development of approaches to learning, and emotional outlooks (e.g. trust) occur during the years 0-5.
• Multiple research studies find a $7 – $1 return on investments in good quality early childhood programs.  Costs savings are in crime prevention, school drop outs, teen pregnancy, and need for special education among children receiving early childhood services.
• On average, low-income and vulnerable children who do not have the opportunity to attend quality, early childhood programs, are about 10-15 points behind average children at school entry.
• Good quality child care and early childhood education programs enhance children’s development.  Poor quality child care harms development.  this is especially true for low-income children.
• Early childhood education that promotes children’s development can be in a Head Start program, child care center, family child care home, preschool, pre-kindergarten or kindergarten program – as long as standards of quality are met.

In Nebraska:

Nebraska has one of the highest percentages of working families, and over 70% of the parents of children under the age of 5 are employed full time.  About 80,000 children are in child care every day in this state, so early care and education is an issue that affects most Nebraskans.  The Midwest Child Care Study (2003) shows that only 37% of the state’s child care is considered good – the rest is considered poor to minimal.

Research resources on the importance of high quality early care and education:

• Change the First Five Years and You Can Change Everything
• Early Learning, Later Success:  The Abecedarian Study
• Building “The Good Life”: Investing in Opportunities for Nebraska’s Families, Communities, and Economy – Nebraska Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest
• Leading Early Childhood Communities:  What Principals Should Know and Be Able to Do – National Association of Elementary School Principals
• Early Childhood Development:  Economic Development with a High Public Return - Art Rolnick and Rob Grunewald, Minneapolis Federal Reserve
• Early Childhood Education for All:  A Wise Investment - Recommendations arising from “The Economic Impacts of Child Care and Early Education: Financing Solutions for the Future”.
• Every Child Matters is pleased to announce the release of two free videos for your viewing.  We hope you will find both videos helpful in your own staff and public education efforts.  “Presidents Helping Children” is a 7 minute video, which shows the role of the White House in lifting the status of the nation’s children.  “Homeland Insecurity” is an 11 minute video, ECM president Michael Petit presents the latest data on child well-being in the U.S.  It contains state data on child well-being, as well as how the U.S. compares against other countries.
• Importance of Preschool:  The best way to prepare our kids for kindergarten is to give them exposure to a school environment before that big first day of school.  Deb Ross joins us from the Nebraska Head Start Association to talk about the importance of preschool.
• The real question is how to use the available funds wisely.  The best evidence supports the policy perscription:  Invest in the Very Young – James J. Heckman, PhD, Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, 2000
• The High/Scope Perry Preschool Study Through 40 - Short and long term effects of a high quality preschool education program for young children living in poverty.
• The Lowly Child-Care Worker- This was the title of the January 5, 2011 entry by Sue Shellenbarger in the Wall Street Journal Blogs.
• We Can Do Better - NACCRRA’s Ranking of State Child Care Center Standards and Oversight.
• Workforce Designs:  A Policy Blueprint for State Early Childhood Professional Development Systems

Nebraska/Midwest information:

• Midwest Child Care Study - Child Care Quality and Workforce Characteristics in Four Midwestern States (Iowa, Nebraka, Kansas, Missouri).
• The Economic Impact of the Nebraska Early Care and Education Industry Report:   full text – prepared under the direction of the Early Childhood Interagency Coordinating Council (ECICC).
• The Economic Impact of the Nebraska Early Care and Education Industry Report – Summary - prepared under the direction of the Early Childhood Interagency Coordinating Council (ECICC)
• Kids Count Report
• QRS