If you are in any doubt as to whether to send your child to nursery/pre-school, then this post is especially for you. It will show, in no uncertain terms, that early years education is incredibly important for children, benefiting them throughout childhood and right through into adulthood. Study after study has reached this same conclusion and, in today’s post, we’ll take a closer look at the findings of just two of the key studies.
“What we found, quite convincingly in the study, is that pre-school matters. Pre-school matters for children’s short-, medium- and long-term development.” (Brenda Taggart, UCL Institute of Education & a principal investigator of the EPPSE study)
The UK’s EPPSE Study
The Effective Pre-School, Primary & Secondary Education (EPPSE) study began in 1997. It followed the progress of a cohort of over 3,000 children, then aged around 3, from first attending pre-school right through their subsequent education at school up to the age of 16. It compares them to other children of the same age who did not attend high quality early years education/pre-school.
The results are crystal clear and have gone on to be referenced worldwide by such organisations as UNICEF and UNESCO. Indeed, they have helped to shape UK early years education ever since, including not only the curriculum itself, but also teacher training and pedagogy (the approach to, and practice of, teaching). What’s more, their impact has been so strong that it led to the UK Government introducing free early years education for all UK children aged 3 to 4 and also childcare funding for 2-year-olds from the poorest 40% of UK households.
Findings
Children who experienced a high quality early years education:
- Are more likely to go on to higher education;
- Attain better academic results including improved grades for English and mathematics;
- Attain a higher number of GCSEs from grades A to C;
- Tend to be more well-behaved, including improved self-regulation, better behaviour and improved peer relationships;
- Are less prone to hyperactivity;
- Are still positively benefiting from their pre-school educations;
- With the better results and depth of education gained, children who attended pre-school are also statistically more likely to earn more during their working lifetimes.
“Children at 16 were still being influenced by their pre-school experience on many of their outcomes.”
In the video below, Brenda Taggart (UCL Institute of Education and one of the principal investigators of the EPPSE study) gives a brief overview of the study’s findings:
“Pre-school is not only good for children; it’s good for families, and it’s good for our country.”
Society Also Benefits from Pre-School Education
It’s not only the children themselves who benefit from an early years education. Because of their increased earnings potential, children who attended pre-school will pay more tax to the UK Exchequer, which is good for the country and society in general. The American study below found even more benefits to society …
The American Study
A similar study in America followed a cohort of 1500 children from low-income families, right from pre-school through to the age of 28 so far. That study found similar benefits to the UK’s EPPSE study, along with several additional findings:
- An early years education translated to lower rates of serious crime and less likelihood of prison incarceration in later life;
- It also resulted in a lower likelihood of developing depression;
- Every 1 dollar spent on early years education resulted in between $4 and $11 of economic gain over the life of each individual;
- It also showed a reduction in the instances of neglect, child abuse and substance abuse;
- The American study also clearly demonstrates the critical importance and long-term positive impact of ensuring school readiness by the time children are 5.
Early Years Learning & Development at Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery, Birmingham
So, the message is clear — early years education at nursery or pre-school really matters. At Leaps & Bounds Nursery in Edgbaston, Birmingham, we’re well aware of this, of course. Every single thing we do has a purpose and our childcare professionals do everything they can to ensure that the early years education is of the highest possible quality. With a learning and development curriculum designed and tailored to each individual baby, toddler or preschooler, they naturally achieve personal bests in every area. That’s a powerful start for such young children. It means that they will be school-ready by the time they leave us around the age of five. They can hit the ground running and easily build upon the learning and development foundations gained during their time with us. In this way, they are likely to absolutely thrive during their school years and well beyond. The studies prove it!
If you would like to explore the opportunity of your child attending our outstanding nursery in Edgbaston, Birmingham, please get in touch. We may suit you if you are looking for the best nurseries and pre-schools near Bearwood, Smethwick, Harborne or Ladywood. Leaps & Bounds is also a Forest School setting, allowing children to benefit from learning in a natural environment during those sessions. Places are limited, so please call 0121 246 4922 or contact us here and we’ll be happy to tell you more or to show you/your child around.