This project seeks to investigate the impact of these policies on children’s cognitive and social development. Rules for when children qualify for free part-time pre-school, eligibility requirements for tax credits, and increased nursery provision in certain areas has led to differences in the amount of pre-school education children receive. Using data from the Department for Education’s Early Years Census and the Millennium Cohort Study, this project aims to determine the causal impact of nursery care and early education on child outcomes. Researchers will pay particular attention to the quality of childcare settings, and differences in access across socio-economic groups.

This project was funded by the Nuffield Foundation from January 2013 to December 2014.