Waldfogel, Jane (2004) Social mobility, life chances, and the early years. CASEpaper (88). Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion, London, UK.
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Abstract
It is widely agreed that the early years are a particularly important time for efforts to increase social mobility, because a good deal of inequality is already apparent by the time children start school, and because children’s development may be less amenable to change after they enter school. But it is less clear how much policies can reduce inequality in the early years, or what policies might be most effective, given the multiple influences on development in the early years and given the complex effects of policies. In this paper, I review what we know from research about what affects development in the early years and examine the current UK policy framework in light of that research. I then make recommendations for priorities for next steps to improve social mobility and other desired outcomes in the early years and thereafter. We know a good deal from research about what quality means, and about what types of experiences are best for children. The research points to some clear next steps in early years policy. These include: extending paid parental leave to 12 months; offering a more flexible package of supports to families with children under the age of 2 or 3; providing high-quality centre-based care to 2 year olds, starting with the most disadvantaged; and providing a more integrated system of high-quality care and education for 3 to 5 year olds.
| Item Type: | Monograph (Discussion Paper) |
|---|---|
| Official URL: | http://sticerd.lse.ac.uk/case |
| Additional Information: | © 2004 Jane Waldfogel |
| Divisions: | Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion |
| Subjects: | H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform H Social Sciences > HM Sociology |
| JEL classification: | D - Microeconomics > D1 - Household Behavior and Family Economics J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J1 - Demographic Economics J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J2 - Time Allocation, Work Behavior, and Employment Determination and Creation; Human Capital; Retirement |
| Date Deposited: | 02 Jul 2008 08:38 |
| Last Modified: | 13 Sep 2024 19:54 |
| URI: | http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/6302 |
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