The findings will give heart and lobbying ammunition to those calling for greater investment in early years services. It is clear that high-quality pre-school education has lasting benefits for children in all areas of their development, especially when they come from a deprived background.
The 'high-quality' element is, of course crucial, and such services cost what looks like a lot of money. Children need the right staff - well-trained and properly-paid - the right resources, and the right integration of education and care. However, as the High/Scope study shows, the economic benefits of children growing up to have better jobs, paying more taxes, staying off state hand-outs, staying out of prison and so on far outweigh the investment when they are three and four years old.
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