Start Earlier, Stay Healthier? An Earlier Start to Public Preschool May Improve Detection of Health Problems.
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| Title: | Start Earlier, Stay Healthier? An Earlier Start to Public Preschool May Improve Detection of Health Problems. |
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| Authors: | Wright, Anna1 amw382@georgetown.edu, Martin, Anne2, Johnson, Anna D.1, Phillips, Deborah, Horm, Diane, Luk, Gigi, Castle, Sherri, Schochet, Owen, Hutchison, Jane, Partika, Anne, Dericks, April |
| Source: | Child & Youth Care Forum. Apr2025, Vol. 54 Issue 2, p393-409. 17p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Health services accessibility, *Elementary schools, *Allergies, *School admission, *Head Start programs, *School health services, Asthma diagnosis, Research funding, Vision disorders, Public sector, Socioeconomic factors, Probability theory, Logistic regression analysis, Early diagnosis, Eczema, Poverty |
| Geographic Terms: | Oklahoma |
| Abstract: | Background: Public preschool can provide opportunities for earlier detection of child health problems and receipt of special needs services. This is especially important for children from low-income households who disproportionately face cost barriers to obtaining health screenings and services. Objective: This study explores the possibility that entering public preschool at age 3 instead of age 4 could contribute to earlier detection of health problems and receipt of special needs services for low-income children. Method: We analyzed data on 757 low-income children in Tulsa, Oklahoma who attended Head Start or public pre-k. We compared rates of parent-reported health conditions and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) at age 4 according to children's pattern of preschool attendance across their 3- and 4-year-old years, using propensity score-weighted logistic regressions. Results: At the spring of their 4-year-old year, children who had entered preschool at age 3 were more likely than those who entered at age 4 to have eczema (OR = 3.25, p <.05) and vision problems (OR = 2.26, p <.05). Among children who entered preschool at age 3, those who stayed in Head Start at age 4 were marginally more likely than those who transitioned to school based pre-k at age 4 to have asthma (OR = 3.81, p =.055) and allergies (OR = 2.16, p =.088). There were no differences in rates of IEPs by children's preschool experience. Conclusions: If replicated, results underscore the potentially unrealized public health benefits of expanding public preschool access to 3-year-olds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Education Research Complete |
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| Abstract: | Background: Public preschool can provide opportunities for earlier detection of child health problems and receipt of special needs services. This is especially important for children from low-income households who disproportionately face cost barriers to obtaining health screenings and services. Objective: This study explores the possibility that entering public preschool at age 3 instead of age 4 could contribute to earlier detection of health problems and receipt of special needs services for low-income children. Method: We analyzed data on 757 low-income children in Tulsa, Oklahoma who attended Head Start or public pre-k. We compared rates of parent-reported health conditions and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) at age 4 according to children's pattern of preschool attendance across their 3- and 4-year-old years, using propensity score-weighted logistic regressions. Results: At the spring of their 4-year-old year, children who had entered preschool at age 3 were more likely than those who entered at age 4 to have eczema (OR = 3.25, p <.05) and vision problems (OR = 2.26, p <.05). Among children who entered preschool at age 3, those who stayed in Head Start at age 4 were marginally more likely than those who transitioned to school based pre-k at age 4 to have asthma (OR = 3.81, p =.055) and allergies (OR = 2.16, p =.088). There were no differences in rates of IEPs by children's preschool experience. Conclusions: If replicated, results underscore the potentially unrealized public health benefits of expanding public preschool access to 3-year-olds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 10531890 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10566-024-09822-8 |
