Research indicates early childhood educaon and care can have a positive impact on children’s
educational, cognitive, behavioural and social outcomes, in the short and long term. It can also
play a positive role in raising aainment and closing the gap between outcomes for children from disadvantaged backgrounds and other children. However, UK data suggest evidence of actual impact is more mixed.

Positive benefits are dependent on several factors, including the quality of care, such as the nature of the activities and relaonships that children engage in within their settings, as well as group size, child to teacher ratios, staff retenion, and teachers’ training and professional development. READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE