Early Children Education and Quality Care: The Parents' Perspective

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 9
  In Poster Session: Early Childhood Education Partners

Abstract

The benefits of early childhood education (ECE) on children’s academic progress and socio-emotional development have been demonstrated and celebrated in recent years (e.g., Barnett & Ackerman, 2006). Such outcomes, however, are contingent upon the receipt of high-quality care and instruction (Phillips et al., 2016). While researchers tend to agree on several operational definitions of ‘quality’, it is unclear how these definitions align with the perception of various stakeholders in the ECE community. To better understand the perspectives of parents, who often serve as primary decisionmakers when selecting ECE programs for their children, this study surveys parents of preschool-aged children (n=185). Findings indicate that parents’ education level, culture and income influence the value they placed on family engagement and cultural competency.

Authors

• Buu C Thai, County of Santa Clara

• Emily Slusser, San Jose State University