The impact of early learning on children's later development a review prepared for the RSA inquiry ‘start right’

SUMMARY Most research shows that early learning experiences have immediate, measurable gains on the cognitive and social development of preschool children. When preschool education is of high quality it leads to lasting enhancement of educational performance and later employment. It does this through encouraging high aspirations, motivation to learn and feelings of task efficacy, especially for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. It is suggested that preschool education is effective because it shapes the cognitions that children construct for explaining success and failure in school. Early learning can foster the belief in children that attainment is not innate but is, instead, achieved in part by effort. Early learning occurs in day care as well as nursery school. Research shows that high quality day care provision leads to successful social and educational outcomes. There is a strong case for investment in high quality early learning on economic as well as social grounds. Cost benefit analyses carried out on preschool interventions have demonstrated a large financial return to society.