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Does Access to Free Pre-Kindergarten Increase Maternal Labor Supply?

Author

Listed:
  • Elias Ilin
  • Samantha Shampine
  • Ellyn Terry

Abstract

We evaluate the effects of free pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) programs on the labor force participation of mothers. We use variation in Pre-K rules across all U.S. states, including income eligibility requirements in some states. To estimate the causal effects of access to Pre-K on labor supply, we exploit the panel aspect of the monthly Current Population Survey between 2002 and 2019. Specifically, we look at the change in labor market behavior of women when their child becomes age-eligible for Pre-K, controlling for individual factors. We find that access to free Pre-K programs increases overall maternal labor force participation by 2.3 percentage points. In particular, we find that mothers with the following demographic characteristics significantly increase their labor force participation with access to free Pre-K: married, college educated, white non-Hispanic, residents of metropolitan areas, and those with income either below 200 percent or above 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. Our results are robust across a series of placebo tests, alternative specifications, and sample restrictions.

Suggested Citation

  • Elias Ilin & Samantha Shampine & Ellyn Terry, 2021. "Does Access to Free Pre-Kindergarten Increase Maternal Labor Supply?," Research Working Paper RWP 21-11, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedkrw:93595
    DOI: 10.18651/RWP2021-11
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jill E. Yavorsky & Leah Ruppanner, 2022. "An Argument For Universal Preschool And Childcare In The U.S," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 41(3), pages 922-929, June.
    2. David M. Blau, 2022. "Response To Jill Yavorsky And Leah Ruppanner," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 41(3), pages 940-943, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Maternal labor force participation; Child care; Universal pre-K; Gender equality; Early education;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G50 - Financial Economics - - Household Finance - - - General
    • H21 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Efficiency; Optimal Taxation
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure

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