Latent Profiles of Nationwide Early Education Access and Links With Equitable Enrollment and Center Funding

• In Event: Understanding the Use and Impact of Public Funding in Early Childhood Education

Abstract

As a result of inequitable early education access, state and federal policies have changed in an effort to improve access and better serve diverse families. This study uses a multidimensional conceptualization of access, which includes reasonable effort, affordability, child development, and parent needs, to classify early education centers into latent profiles. Using a nationally representative data from the 2019 NSECE (n=6917), latent profile analysis revealed three access profiles, none of which provided access across all dimensions. Multinomial logistic regressions were then used to identify equitable enrollment trends and characteristics of centers included in each profile. Results suggest the need for expanded financial investment in high-quality, affordable early education that meets the needs of diverse families to promote more equitable access.

Authors

• Alex Faucheux, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

• Gerilyn Slicker, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

• Alain Bengochea, University of Nevada - Las Vegas