As research across neuroscience, developmental psychology, and economics demonstrates, early social - emotional, physical, and
cognitive skills beget later skill acquisition, setting the groundwork for success in school and the workplace.15 However, an analysis
of nationally representative data shows that 65 percent
of child care centers do not serve
children age 1 or younger and that 44 percent do not serve
children under age 3 at all.16 Consequently,
child care centers only have the capacity to serve 10 percent
of all
children under age 1 and 25 percent
of all
children under age 3.17 High - quality
child care during this critical period can support
children's physical,
cognitive, and social - emotional
development.18 Attending a high - quality early childhood program such as preschool or Head Start is particularly important for
children in poverty or from other disadvantaged backgrounds and can help reduce the large income - based disparities in achievement and
development.19
year Publication year, N total sample size, #ES amount
of effect sizes, AC
child age category
of the
child at the start
of the program, Design research design, PCDC parent
child development centers, CB community - based, CPEP
child — parent enrichment project, FGDM family group decision making, HS healthy start, PCIT parent —
child interaction therapy, CBFRS community - based family resource service, PUP parents
under pressure, SEEK safe environment for every kid, HF healthy families, STEP systematic training for effective parenting, TPBP teen parents and babies program, TEEP Turkish early enrichment project, IFPS intensive family preservation services, ACT adults and
children together, CBT
cognitive behavioral therapy, PSBCT parent skills with behavioral couples therapy, PCTT parents and
children talking together, FIRST family information, referral and support team, NFP nurse family partnership, HSYC healthy steps for young
children, REACH resources, education and care in the home, PMD parents make the difference, CPC
child — parent center, MST - BSF multisystemic therapy — building stronger families, PriCARE primary
child — adult relationship enhancement, SSTP stepping stones Triple P, CAMP Colorado adolescent maternity program, STEEP steps toward effective and enjoyable parenting, FGC family group conferences, MST - CAN multisystemic therapy for
child abuse and neglect, PAT parent as teachers, CM case management, CPS
child protective services, NS not specified, QE quasi-experimental, RCT randomized controlled trial, R risk group, GP general population, M maltreating parents