The following factors have the greatest impact on the quality of childcare provision:
► Average qualification levels of teachers
► Having a qualified teacher/manager
► High levels of parental involvement
► Seeing cognitive and social development as complementary and equal in importance
Impact on parents
The availability of childcare can also have a positive impact on parents. A pilot study in to early learning
showed that parents felt the offer had positively affected their ability to parent and their physical health
and well-being and it provided them with opportunities for self-improvement.1
Summary
Children benefit from early learning. Research has shown that good quality early learning:
► Gives children an opportunity to socialise with other children their age
► Has a long-term impact on children’s development, for example their reading and number skills
► Helps them prepare to go to school
► Allows children to take part in exciting activities, games and messy play
► Any pre-school experience, enhances all-round development in children