Post-Head Start 1,800 Days: The Story of Early Childhood in the U.S.

In the 1980s and 1990s, women joined the workforce in droves, creating a larger need for childcare at a time when options varied widely in quality and availability. Along with Head Start, there were private preschools, childcare programs and traditional nursery schools, mostly held in churches or community centers. There was also more acknowledgement of the long-term effects of childcare and preschool on academics and social behavior through more expansive research and longitudinal studies. In this episode, we’ll explore the perceived impact of having children participate in early childhood education programs and the best strategy to maximize those benefits.