Outcomes of early childhood education: Literature review

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:

1. What (short-term and long-term) developmental, educational, social, and economic outcomes are associated with participation in ECE for learners and their families?
2. Are different outcomes associated with different population groups and under different circumstances/ contexts? In particular:
   • 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?
   • When are adverse impacts more likely and for whom?
3. How do different outcomes interact/relate with one another?
   • What is the size/significance of the different impacts of ECE?
   • How long do the effects last?