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The Long-Run Effects of Early Childhood Education and Care—An Empirical Analysis Based on the China Family Panel Studies Survey

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  • Shuang Yang

    (Nanjing University
    Kyoto University)

Abstract

Although the positive effects of early childhood education care are gradually being recognized, formal enrollment of children under the age of 6 is still limited, and evidence of long-term effects has not been widely examined in China. Using a nationally representative dataset from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this study examines the long-term effects of early childhood education and care (ecec) attendance in China on an adult sample over 18-year-olds. The results based on propensity score matching (PSM) analysis suggest that the experience of early childhood education and care enhances cognitive and noncognitive skills in adulthood. Evidence also shows that disadvantaged groups, such as females, those with lower parental education levels, and rural and remote residents, have larger benefits from attending early childhood education and care. Non-only children in China may also gain a wider range of benefits from ecec attendance. No evidence suggests superior personal income or intelligence. The results confirm the importance of ensuring access to early childhood education and care for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. Policy implications are discussed and summarized at the end of the paper.

Suggested Citation

  • Shuang Yang, 2021. "The Long-Run Effects of Early Childhood Education and Care—An Empirical Analysis Based on the China Family Panel Studies Survey," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 14(5), pages 2021-2044, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:chinre:v:14:y:2021:i:5:d:10.1007_s12187-021-09839-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s12187-021-09839-8
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    2. Eszter Baranyai, 2023. "The Socio-Economic Status of Neighbourhoods and Access to Early Childhood Education," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(3), pages 1019-1048, June.
    3. Hideo Akabayashi & Ryuichi Tanaka, 2024. "The rate of return to early childhood education in Japan: estimates from the nationwide expansion," Education Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(5), pages 581-598, September.

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