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Early Childcare Attendance and Cognitive Skills in Adolescence

Author

Listed:
  • AlmÃ¥s, Ingvild
  • Drange, Nina
  • Meghir, Costas
  • Zachrisson, Henrik Daae

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of early childcare on academic achievement for children in grade 5 and grade 9, based on a 2003 policy expansion that created quasi-random variation in slot availability for children aged 1–2. Starting childcare one year earlier increases math scores by 9.7% of a standard deviation (SD) in grade 9. Children whose mothers do not hold a high school diploma benefit by a significant 28% of a SD at grade 9, reducing the math achievement gap from children of higher-educated mothers by about one third. We also present evidence of strong improvements for children of immigrants.

Suggested Citation

  • AlmÃ¥s, Ingvild & Drange, Nina & Meghir, Costas & Zachrisson, Henrik Daae, 2026. "Early Childcare Attendance and Cognitive Skills in Adolescence," CEPR Discussion Papers 21414, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:21414
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    File URL: https://cepr.org/publications/DP21414
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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