Reaching All Children? Understanding Early Care and Education Participation Among Immigrant Families

Publication Date: January 2006

Publisher: Center for Law and Social Policy

Author(s): Danielle Ewen; Hannah Matthews

Research Area: Education; Population and demographics; Social conditions

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

One in five children in the United States is the child of an immigrant. These children stand to benefit greatly from high-quality child care and early learning programs, yet appear less likely to participate in such programs. This paper summarizes evidence about the participation of young children of immigrants in early care and education programs as well as the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of immigrant families that likely influence participation. It then offers policy recommendations for state and local administrators of pre-kindergarten and other early care and education programs, and proposes areas for additional research. This paper is part of CLASP's Breaking Down Barriers project, which is supported by the Foundation for Child Development.

Supplementary file: a two-page brief summarizing the 26-page paper.