Start Earlier, Stay Healthier? An Earlier Start to Public Preschool May Improve Detection of Health Problems
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| Title: | Start Earlier, Stay Healthier? An Earlier Start to Public Preschool May Improve Detection of Health Problems |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Anna Wright, Anne Martin, Anna D. Johnson, Deborah Phillips, Diane Horm, Gigi Luk, Sherri Castle, Owen Schochet, Jane Hutchison, Anne Partika, April Dericks |
| Source: | Child & Youth Care Forum. 2025 54(2):393-409. |
| Availability: | Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 17 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) (DHHS/NIH) |
| Contract Number: | 1R01HD09232401A1 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Early Childhood Education Preschool Education |
| Descriptors: | Preschool Children, Preschool Education, Identification, Early Intervention, Special Health Problems, Child Health, Special Needs Students, Screening Tests, Individualized Education Programs, Federal Programs, Social Services, Low Income Students, Diseases, Allergy |
| Laws, Policies and Program Identifiers: | Head Start |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10566-024-09822-8 |
| ISSN: | 1053-1890 1573-3319 |
| Abstract: | Background: Public preschool can provide opportunities for earlier detection of child health problems and receipt of special needs services. This is especially important for children from low-income households who disproportionately face cost barriers to obtaining health screenings and services. Objective: This study explores the possibility that entering public preschool at age 3 instead of age 4 could contribute to earlier detection of health problems and receipt of special needs services for low-income children. Method: We analyzed data on 757 low-income children in Tulsa, Oklahoma who attended Head Start or public pre-k. We compared rates of parent-reported health conditions and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) at age 4 according to children's pattern of preschool attendance across their 3- and 4-year-old years, using propensity score-weighted logistic regressions. Results: At the spring of their 4-year-old year, children who had entered preschool at age 3 were more likely than those who entered at age 4 to have eczema (OR = 3.25, p < 0.05) and vision problems (OR = 2.26, p < 0.05). Among children who entered preschool at age 3, those who stayed in Head Start at age 4 were marginally more likely than those who transitioned to school based pre-k at age 4 to have asthma (OR = 3.81, p = 0.055) and allergies (OR = 2.16, p = 0.088). There were no differences in rates of IEPs by children's preschool experience. Conclusions: If replicated, results underscore the potentially unrealized public health benefits of expanding public preschool access to 3-year-olds. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1463079 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| Abstract: | Background: Public preschool can provide opportunities for earlier detection of child health problems and receipt of special needs services. This is especially important for children from low-income households who disproportionately face cost barriers to obtaining health screenings and services. Objective: This study explores the possibility that entering public preschool at age 3 instead of age 4 could contribute to earlier detection of health problems and receipt of special needs services for low-income children. Method: We analyzed data on 757 low-income children in Tulsa, Oklahoma who attended Head Start or public pre-k. We compared rates of parent-reported health conditions and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) at age 4 according to children's pattern of preschool attendance across their 3- and 4-year-old years, using propensity score-weighted logistic regressions. Results: At the spring of their 4-year-old year, children who had entered preschool at age 3 were more likely than those who entered at age 4 to have eczema (OR = 3.25, p < 0.05) and vision problems (OR = 2.26, p < 0.05). Among children who entered preschool at age 3, those who stayed in Head Start at age 4 were marginally more likely than those who transitioned to school based pre-k at age 4 to have asthma (OR = 3.81, p = 0.055) and allergies (OR = 2.16, p = 0.088). There were no differences in rates of IEPs by children's preschool experience. Conclusions: If replicated, results underscore the potentially unrealized public health benefits of expanding public preschool access to 3-year-olds. |
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| ISSN: | 1053-1890 1573-3319 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10566-024-09822-8 |
