Benefits of Preschool
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Economic Benefits
Over 40 years of research shows that quality early childhood education programs have substantial and measurable economic benefits for individuals, families, schools and communities.
- Students receiving quality early education are more likely to graduate from high school, increasing their earning potential and reducing strain on social services such as welfare.
- Those receiving high-quality early childhood education were more likely to own a home, have a job and earn at least $5,000 per year more than a comparable group who didn't receive pre-kindergarten education.
- Preschool can help level the playing field for low-income children, who comprise 7 out of 19 of Denver Public Schools elementary students and who tend to lag behind their more affluent peers when they start in kindergarten.
- One dollar invested in early childhood education can generate a return as high as $14 in funds that would otherwise be spent on crime prevention, special-ed/remedial classes and social services.
- Every year, the childcare industry – which includes many preschool providers – contributes more than $1 billion to Colorado’s economic output and employs nearly 19,000 residents statewide.
Educational Benefits
The majority of brain development occurs before kindergarten yet our society spends comparatively little on children during this important period. Pre-K programs help our children prepare for a lifetime of learning.
- Almost 80 percent of brain development occurs before age five. Quality preschool programs provide children with an educational environment where they can learn and grow.
- DPP helps build capacity for the overall education system in Denver by setting guidelines for quality ratings of all providers, boosting teacher credentials and driving demand for more quality preschool programs -- thus providing families with more options in selecting the quality program that best suits their needs.
- Quality preschool programs lay the foundation for knowledge, social skills and confidence, paving the way for successes throughout their school year and in later life.
- Colorado kindergarten teachers report that at least 1/3 of children come to school unprepared to learn. This is significant because national research shows that kindergarteners who start school behind their peers tend to stay behind.
Social Benefits
Success in school often translates to success in other arenas in life. ECE research shows that students who participate in quality preschool programs are better citizens and are less likely to require expensive social services.
- Preschool is a safe and culturally sensitive environment where children learn, grow and achieve the skills needed to transition to kindergarten and beyond.
- A study of adults who had once participated in a high quality preschool program showed they were arrested less often, had fewer births out of wedlock and were less likely to use welfare than their peers, thus easing the financial burden on local and national social services.
- It has even been shown that young adults who went through early childhood programs are less likely to smoke and generally make better personal health decisions.
- Studies shows that universal preschool returns about half its cost in later savings to the school systems through reduced special education and grade repetition.