Start Right: The Importance of Early Learning.

This British report demonstrates the importance of early learning as a preparation for effective education to promote social welfare and social order, and to develop a world-class workforce. It shows how countries benefit from providing good preschool education for children. Chapter 1 summarizes the case for the systematic public provision of high quality preschool education. Chapter 2 shows how research demonstrates the effectiveness of high quality preschool education in providing both social and educational benefits. Chapter 3 considers the early learning experiences and practices of other countries. Chapter 4 reviews the pattern of provision of preschool education in the United Kingdom. Chapter 5 considers the role of home and community, and chapter 6 discusses the nature of good practice and high quality provision for early learning. Chapter 7 offers a practical program for achieving the objective of providing good preschool education for all children. Chapter 8 summarizes the conclusions of the report and makes 17 recommendations addressed to parliament, educators, parents and the community, and the government. The report contains seven appendices that include statistics on early childhood services, a report on the impact of early learning on children's later development, and a summary of the High/Scope Perry Preschool Study. A list of suggested readings on early learning, containing over 70 titles, is included. (TJQ)