According to a landmark American study that followed the progress of individuals from age four to 40, children from poor families who receive high-quality pre-school education are more likely to prosper in adulthood.
The High/Scope Perry Pre-School study found children who participated in such programmes were less likely to drop out of high school, less likely to become involved in crime and earned thousands more than counterparts who did not get early care and education.
These results complement the findings of the second phase of the Effective Provision of Pre-school Education Project, a major study by the University of London, which has followed 3,000 children from three to seven (research report, p17). This study found children who had nursery or other pre-school education showed better all-round development than those looked after at home, with particular benefits for children from disadvantaged families.
Both reports highlight the importance of quality, child-centred care, and have been hailed as compelling evidence that investing in early years has wide-reaching social and economic benefits.
Joan Norris, director of High/Scope UK, said: "There is now hard evidence that it makes a difference in people's lives long term. It is not just about life-long learning, it's about life-long positive decision-making. I think that's a really strong message, linked up with the project research."
Both reports were published as the Government prepared for the Chancellor's Pre-Budget Report this Thursday and the announcement of details of the Department for Education and Skills' 10-year plan for childcare.
Stephen Burke, the director of Daycare Trust, said: "They show the long-term benefits of investing in quality, early education and care."
