Early Childhood
Education news, analysis, and opinion about children from birth through kindergarten.
What age is early childhood education?
The age requirements for pre-K and kindergarten varies by location and are mostly set by state law. Preschool or pre-K students are usually ages 3 or 4. Read more about the expansion of pre-K.
18 states require that a child turns age 5 before the beginning of September to be able to enter kindergarten. Read more about kindergarten age cutoffs.
18 states require that a child turns age 5 before the beginning of September to be able to enter kindergarten. Read more about kindergarten age cutoffs.
Is kindergarten mandatory?
As of 2023, at least 17 states and the District of Columbia require children to attend kindergarten, according to the Education Commission of the States. Where kindergarten is optional, parents weigh many factors when deciding whether to send their child to kindergarten, including their emotional maturity, their physical size, and the family’s child-care situation.
Are Head Start and preschool the same?
There’s no national standard for preschool programs. Their aim is to help children who are 3 or 4 years old acquire the academic and interpersonal skills they’ll need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Preschool programs can be public and funded by states or the federal government and run by school districts or other organizations, or private and tuition-based. Read more about preschool.
Head Start, a federal child-development program for low-income children, was started in 1964 as part of the War on Poverty. Among other programs, it funds local preschool programs. As of 2023 it served about 532,000 children. Read more about Head Start.
Head Start, a federal child-development program for low-income children, was started in 1964 as part of the War on Poverty. Among other programs, it funds local preschool programs. As of 2023 it served about 532,000 children. Read more about Head Start.
What is universal pre-K?
Universal pre-K means that any student who meets the age criteria is able to attend; funding and availability stretches to cover all eligible students. Universal pre-K is offered in four states and the District of Columbia, as of the 2025-26 school year. Eight other states have universal eligibility, which means that any student can attend if they meet the age requirement, if there are enough spots available for them. Read more about universal pre-K.
Early Childhood State Pre-K Hits Record Enrollment, But Advocates Caution About QualityState-sponsored preschool programs enrolled 1.8 million children in 2024-25, a new report finds. But some were higher quality than others.
Early Childhood Kindergartners Aren't Talking Enough in Class. Why That MattersIn the quest to develop young readers, oral language takes a back seat to the written word, say experts.
Early Childhood Q&A What One Researcher Saw Inside 29 Kindergarten ClassroomsDevelopmental psychologist Susan Engel shares insights from two years in kindergarten classrooms.
Early Childhood 'Addicted to Screens': Teachers Sound the Alarm on Their Youngest StudentsToo many students are entering school unprepared to learn, according to a national survey of early educators.
Early Childhood Has the Practice of Redshirting Kindergartners Peaked?Holding kids back from kindergarten may be less popular than expected. Here's why.
Early Childhood Quick Answers to Common Questions About Early Childhood EducationEducation Week answers some of the most common questions about early childhood education.
Early Childhood From Our Research Center Toileting and Tying Shoes: Young Students Increasingly Lack Basic SkillsNational survey finds more students struggle with basic foundational skills.
Early Childhood Child Care From Age 2: New York City's Plan to Improve Student OutcomesThe city's mayor and governor announced the first four communities to receive free 2-K seats.
Early Childhood Q&A Assessing Kindergarten Readiness—During Routine Pediatric CheckupsAn Ohio pediatric hospital's clinics assess preschoolers' literacy readiness during routine visits.
Early Childhood Kids Are Entering Preschool More Comfortable With Screens Than Books. What Now?Screen time is rising among the youngest students. Experts explain its effect on literacy skills.
Early Childhood Q&A Federal Funding Cuts Come for Big Bird: What’s Ahead for PBS Kids?Federal funding cuts threaten early education media. PBS Kids executive Sara DeWitt explains how.
Early Childhood Play-Based Learning Yields More Joy, Higher Scores at This Elementary SchoolTeachers who have incorporated guided play into their lessons say they've seen students thrive.
Early Childhood Q&A How One Mayor Is Working to Expand Pre-K AccessMayor Brett Smiley discusses early education access and workforce development.
Early Childhood 100-Plus Head Start Programs Will Go Without Federal Funds If Shutdown Drags OnThe programs were due to receive their federal funding allocations Nov. 1.
Early Childhood Explainer Play-Based Learning in Kindergarten Is Making a Comeback. Here's What It MeansAmid rigorous academic expectations in the early grades, some advocates push for a return to play.
