What are the benefits of nursery education?

Research shows that early childhood education is one of the best ways to help all children, including those with learning or physical disabilities, regardless of income or family structure to develop the social, emotional and cognitive skills they need to prepare for school and beyond.

Here are a few ways in which your child can benefit from early childhood education now, and in the future.

Good habits

Daily routines help children feel safe and secure. They are also a great way to teach children healthy habits, like washing their hands and eating their meals. When children know what to expect each day, they are more likely to be calm and settled. Over time their independence will develop when accessing activities.

Spending time in nursery is ideal for helping your child to get into a good routine. The staff know which skills your child needs to develop and encourages these through a variety of activities in a safe and structured environment.

Literacy and Numeracy skills

Literacy and numeracy skills form the foundation for education, but it’s more than just reading, writing and counting. Children learn literacy skills through other activities such as listening to stories, talking about pictures and making marks on paper and other media. They also learn new numeracy skills through activities such as singing and playing music or through sand, water and block play.

The literacy and numeracy skills your child learns before they start school have a dramatic impact on their academic success later in life. Research shows that children who attend nursery for three years or more, perform much better on year 4 literacy and numeracy tests, while 18 months of nursery education has a greater impact on literacy and numeracy levels at age 11, than all six years of primary school (1).

Social and Emotional Development

Attending nursery gives your child an opportunity to develop social skills, which helps them form healthy relationships with other people. They’ll learn how to get along with their peers, to share and take turns, listen to others, express their ideas and become independent. Our curriculum maximises opportunities for children to be curious and interested in discovering new experiences, new environments, participating in group tasks, following instructions and the vital life skill of concentration. As your child gets older they’ll use these skills to develop friendships that will shape their sense of identity and their future.

Nursery also helps your child develop emotional resilience in times of difficulty. Research shows that children who attend childcare at age 2 to 3 are more likely to be attentive and better able to deal with their emotions when they start school (2).

They’ll enjoy a successful future

The benefits of early childhood education can last a lifetime. A 30-year study in the United States found that adults who had a high quality early childhood education from 0 to 5 years were more likely to be continuously employed and to graduate from university (3).

The skills your child learns in the early years of their life are important to their social, emotional and academic success. In fact, research shows that children who don’t attend nursery are 50% more likely to start school with a developmental vulnerability (1).

A lifelong love of learning

A high quality nursery will also inspire a lifelong love of learning and is one of the most important investments that can be made in a child’s future. Access to quality early childhood education develops confidence and curiosity, children learn how to manage challenges, to become independent and develop a positive attitude to learning. These skills help your child settle into school and drive their academic success (4).

Whether your child is starting school next year or in a few years’ time, consider giving them a head start by sending them to a nursery setting that provides high quality early childhood education with well trained and experienced staff in a fun, caring and supportive environment.

Research:

1.     Goodstart Early Learning. The difference early learning makes for children: The evidence. May 2015. Available from: www.goodstart.org.au/media-centre.

2.     Gialamas A, Sawyer A, Mittinty MN et al. Quality of childcare influences children’s attentiveness and emotional regulation at school entry. Journal of Pediatrics 2014; 165(4): 813-819.

3.     Campbell FA, Pungello EP, Burchinal M et al. Adult outcomes as a function of an early childhood educational program: an Abecedarian Project follow-up. Developmental Psychology 2012; 48(4): 1033.

4.     Elliott A. Early childhood education: Pathways to quality and equity for all children. Melbourne: Australian Council for Educational Research; 2000