Happy New Year, everyone! 2009 begins with some interesting news regarding early childhood.

The first article comes from the Star Tribune by Emily Johns:

Every year in Minnesota, thousands of the state’s children enter school unprepared for kindergarten. “The schools are losing $42 million a year just because of students dropping out early,” said Chase, a consulting scientist with the St. Paul research company. “They start behind and they don’t catch up.”

The second article was found in ScienceDaily.com: (UK Publication)

Attending a high quality pre-school followed by an academically effective primary school gives a significant boost to children’s development. These are the findings of a new study.   EPPE 3-11, which is managed by the Institute of England, University of London, tracked 3,000 children from the time they started pre-school until age 11. The findings include: Pre-school helps to combat social disadvantage. Good pre-schools benefit all children but high quality is especially important for children who have special educational needs, mothers with low qualifications or come from unstimulating homes.