Early Childhood Education and Care Services and Child Development: Economic Perspectives for Universal Approaches
Title
Early Childhood Education and Care Services and Child Development: Economic Perspectives for Universal Approaches
Author
Spiess, C. Katharina
Research Area
Social Institutions
Topic
Educational Institutions
Abstract
This essay analyses universal early childhood education and care (ECEC) services from an economic perspective focusing on universal ECEC approaches. First, it examines the effectiveness of ECEC expansions, reviewing research using quasi‐experimental approaches. It then discusses the possible mechanisms underlying the measured effects. These are related to both direct effects from ECEC services on children and indirect ones occurring via maternal employment and well‐being. When ECEC‐positive effects are detected, they mostly pertain to children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. This raises the question as to whether this group of children is reached by universal ECEC services. The second part of the essay focuses on this issue, describing differences in ECEC attendance by socioeconomic background, distinguishing between different age groups and different aspects of ECEC attendance. The challenges for future research are summarized at the end.