Program Effectiveness
Research Report
What Do We Know About the Impact of Publicly Funded Preschool Education on the Supply and Quality of Infant/Toddler Care?
NIEER Working Paper
Date
April 1, 2009
Summary
As public support for the education and care of 3- and 4-year-olds has increased, questions have arisen about the impact of those efforts on programs for infants and toddlers. This report reviews what is known about the impact of publicly funded preschool education on the supply of infant and toddler care, including:
- The availability and use of infant/toddler care
- Influences on the supply of infant/toddler care and how today’s supply compares to historic trends; and
- Potential links between preschool education policies and the supply and quality of infant/toddler care.
The Authors
W. Steven (Steve) Barnett is a Board of Governors Professor and the founder and Senior Co-Director of the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) at Rutgers University. Dr. Barnett’s work primarily focuses on public policies regarding early childhood education, child care, and child development.