10/21/2008

Gap in California Services

A study reported in the San Francisco Chronicle found that low-income and minority children are the least likely to be enrolled in good early development programs in California. Researchers for RAND California Preschool Study estimate that only 15 percent of California children who could benefit most are in high-quality programs that prepare them for success in K-12.

The researchers surveyed 2,000 California parents of 3- and 4-year-olds, interviewed more than 700 state providers, and observed 250 child care and preschool centers. They found that just under half of 3- and 4-year-olds in economically disadvantaged families are in preschool programs of any quality, compared to 70 percent of children whose families are better off. In all, an estimated 59 percent of preschool-age children in California are getting public or private early care and education.

The study also found that parental education played a role: 45 percent of children whose mothers didn't finish high school were enrolled in preschools. Meanwhile there was an 80 percent enrollment for children whose mothers have a graduate or professional degree. Access was also found to be an issue for black, Hispanic, and low-income parents, who reported the most difficulty finding the care they wanted.

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• Brain Research Implications for Early Childhood
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• Making Play Work
• Social and Emotional Development

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• Training Early Childhood Staff
• Evaluating Early Childhood Programs
• Marketing Child Care Services
• Trends in Early Childhood Education
• Managing Money
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• Physical Environment and Room Arrangement

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