Universal Preschool Programs and Long-Term Child Outcomes

This systematic review included 25 studies using natural experiments to estimate the effects of universal preschool programs for children aged 0-6 years on child outcomes measured from third grade to adulthood. Studies comparing preschool with parental, family, or other informal modes of care showed mixed effects on test scores, and on measures related to health, well-being, and behavior. All estimates for outcomes related to adequate primary and secondary school progression, years of schooling, highest degree completed, employment, and earnings indicated beneficial average effects. Three of the included studies calculated benefits-to-costs ratios and found ratios clearly above one. Effects tended to be more beneficial for children with low socioeconomic status, though there were examples of the opposite pattern. Effects were not consistently different for boys or girls. Few studies compared two alternative types of universal preschool programs in terms of long-term outcomes.