In this space a few weeks ago we talked about the importance of preschool education. As was mentioned in that editorial, preschool education can be a great equalizer. This is true if the preschool program effectively prepares children for their kindergarten year. Now is the time that many parents of young children are considering preschool options in the community. Since the choice of a preschool can have such an impact on future academic success, it is wise to know the difference between high and low quality programs.

Anne Nelson is an educational researcher. She identifies six key characteristics of effective early childhood programs for disadvantaged three and four year olds. This is reported in the April 2006, edition of Infobrief, a publication of the Association for Curriculum Development. The program she describes was used for the Perry Preschool which has been recognized as one of the most successful early childhood education models in helping children of poverty prepare for school success. This program and the long term success of its former students were also described in a past editorial in this space. While the factors below are particularly important for children who come from impoverished backgrounds, they would benefit children from advantaged homes as well.

• The most effective programs have teachers with a bachelor’s degree and a certification in early childhood education.

• They have small class sizes – this is defined as five to six children per adult.

• The length of daily instruction is at least two and one-half hours.

• Weekly home visits are done to teach parents how to support their children’s learning development.

• Health and nutrition screening are included.

• The programs utilize self-initiated small and large group activities based on sound research in instructional practices.

Admittedly, the cost to provide all parts above is high and cannot be done for all preschool children. The average preschool program might have only a few of the components above. However, the more it does include, the more likely the program will promote student growth and development, especially for children of poverty.

The state of Nebraska is now seriously discussing how such positive experiences can be made available to all our children. The benefits of making such early childhood training accessible to them could have tremendously positive life-long benefits for children. This would pay huge dividends for our society as a whole. Providing rich early childhood opportunities is one of the best ways to help all children reach their full potentials and of helping our country stay a major force in innovation, prosperity, development and progress. It would also help spur equity of opportunity and accomplishment.

Effective early childhood education is a key that can unlock the hidden learning potential of all students. An investment in learning and development when the child is young may dramatically decrease the investments we currently need to make in our prisons and court systems when they are adults. This seems like a very wise trade-off.

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