This literature review was commissioned by the Ministry of Education to provide policy makers with a synthesis of research that analyses the impact of early childhood education (ECE) for children and families.
It addresses three questions:
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What (short-term and long-term) developmental, educational, social, and economic outcomes are associated with participation in ECE for learners and their families?
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Are different outcomes associated with different population groups and under different circumstances/ contexts? In particular:
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What types of institutional (e.g. differences in educational/care systems, types of services), funding and regulatory arrangements/frameworks are associated with achieving positive outcomes?
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When are adverse impacts more likely and for whom?
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How do different outcomes interact/relate with one another?
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What is the size/significance of the different impacts of ECE?
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How long do the effects last?