Early Childhood Blog

Early Years

Staff writer Christina A. Samuels and Contributing Writer Marva Hinton provided insight, news, and analysis on early-childhood education. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: early childhood.

Early Childhood Kids Count Report Finds Positive Gains on Child Well-Being, With Areas of Concern
The Annie E. Casey Foundation's annual data book finds that the economic well-being of children is on the rise, but educational achievement is an area of concern.
Christina A. Samuels, June 13, 2017
2 min read
Early Childhood New Study Touts Gains From Academic Preschools
The study by a University of California, Berkeley, researcher found substantial cognitive gains for students who attended preschools that focused on developing oral language, preliteracy, and math skills.
Marva Hinton, June 9, 2017
3 min read
Early Childhood More Indiana Counties to Offer State-Funded Prekindergarten
State officials announced this week that 15 additional counties will join five others that had offered prekindergarten through the state's On My Way Pre-K program.
Christina A. Samuels, June 8, 2017
1 min read
Education New Blogger on Board: Early Years Gets Some Miami Flair
Marva Hinton joins the Early Years blogging team, bringing more than 15 years of reporting experience and the perspective of a mother preparing her 3-year-old for preschool this fall.
Marva Hinton, June 6, 2017
1 min read
Early Childhood State Preschool Funding Now Above Pre-Recession Levels, Enrollment Climbing
The State of Preschool report from the National Institute of Early Education Research found that spending is up, but state program quality is uneven.
Christina A. Samuels, May 26, 2017
2 min read
Early Childhood Head Start Down, Home Visiting Up in White House Budget Proposal
Head Start would see funding at fiscal 2016 levels and home visiting would see continued funding under the budget proposal released Tuesday by the Trump White House.
Christina A. Samuels, May 23, 2017
2 min read
Early Childhood Preschool Curriculum Creator Extends Reach to Kindergarten
Countering a trend of pushing elementary-style academics down to younger children, a preschool curriculum creator has developed a course of study intended for kindergarten students.
Christina A. Samuels, May 16, 2017
3 min read
English Learners Santa Fe Rejects Soda Tax That Would Support Pre-K
Voters in the New Mexico city have rejected a 2-cents-per-ounce tax on distributors of sodas and other sugary beverages that was intended to aid prekindergarten access.
Lovey Cooper, May 9, 2017
2 min read
English Learners Trump Tax Outline Mentions Tax Relief for Child Care, But Offers No Details
A tax-reform announcement from the White House was short on specifics, but shows child-care affordability is still a Trump administration priority.
Christina A. Samuels, April 26, 2017
3 min read
Early Childhood New York City Plans to Expand Preschool to 3-Year-Olds
The city would become one of just a few in the nation to offer free universal preschool for 3-year-olds, under a plan unveiled by Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Christina A. Samuels, April 25, 2017
1 min read
Early Childhood Child-Care Centers Aim for Middle of the Road in Hiring, Study Finds
A study based on thousands of fictional resumes shows that child-care hiring managers are not drawn to top-notch experience, or high GPAs or educational attainment.
Christina A. Samuels, April 25, 2017
5 min read
Early Childhood What Does Science Tell Us About Prekindergarten?
A statement from a group of researchers offers a nuanced take about what science can say, and has not proven, about the value of prekindergarten.
Christina A. Samuels, April 19, 2017
4 min read
Early Childhood Preschool Teachers' Wish Lists Fulfilled Through Foundation Donation
The PNC Foundation used the online charity Donors Choose to fulfill requests in 22 states and the District of Columbia. Donors Choose is also opening its platform to Head Start teachers.
Christina A. Samuels, April 4, 2017
1 min read
Early Childhood Early Education Advocates Fighting for Priority in Federal Budget
The Trump administration's federal budget blueprint doesn't mention increased investments in early-childhood and preschool programs, but advocates are pressing Congress for support.
Christina A. Samuels, March 28, 2017
3 min read