Researchers followed 27,814 children in Miami-Dade, Florida, in an 18-year study. At age four, some children went to preschools in state schools. Others went to childcare centres or had care in private homes. The researchers followed their progress through the state school system.
Children from state preschools had the best reading and maths results in third grade at primary school. They also had the best school marks overall. They were 35% less likely to repeat that school year than children from the other groups. Children from childcare centres generally did better than children from home-based care.
Children at better primary schools did better on average. But most differences between the three groups remained. Children from childcare centres at better schools came closer to the state preschool group in reading.
The researchers think shared staff, buildings and learning plans may help explain the state preschools' stronger results. All three types of care helped children become more ready for school, but state preschool children improved most. Children do not need to attend state preschool to do well later. The researchers say other childcare in Miami-Dade is now better than when the study began.
