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The effect of center-based early education on disadvantaged children’s developmental trajectories: experimental evidence from Colombia

Author

Listed:
  • Raquel Bernal

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies)

  • Michele Giannola

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies)

  • Milagros Nores

    (National Institute for Early Education Research)

Abstract

Early childhood development is recognized as a global priority, but questions remain regarding how to best serve the needs of disadvantaged children in low- and middle-income countries. We study the effects of a high-quality center-based early childhood intervention on the development of disadvantaged children in Colombia. We conduct a randomized controlled trial with over 1000 children followed longitudinally over a five-year period. The intervention leads to positive and sustained effects on children’s health, and positive effects on cognitive development that dissipate in the last year of the program. We find no effect on socio-emotional development or on the home environment.
(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

Suggested Citation

  • Raquel Bernal & Michele Giannola & Milagros Nores, 2024. "The effect of center-based early education on disadvantaged children’s developmental trajectories: experimental evidence from Colombia," IFS Working Papers W24/43, Institute for Fiscal Studies.
    • Handle: RePEc:ifs:ifsewp:24/43
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • H43 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Project Evaluation; Social Discount Rate

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