There is an increasing realisation of the importance of early childhood education around the world, as all economies seek to develop a more highly skilled labour force that can better compete in a globalised knowledge-based economy. Three strands of research combine to support the importance of the early years;. From neuro-scientific research, we understand the criticality of early brain development; from social science research, we know that high quality programmes improve children’s readiness for school and life; and from econometric research, we know that high quality programs save society significant amounts of money over time.
Preschools can help ensure that all children get a strong start in life, especially those from low-income or disadvantaged households. It also helps facilitate greater female participation in the workforce, which bolsters economic growth.
An EIU study showed that the Nordic countries perform best at preschool education, with the following best practices:
- A high standard of teacher training and education, setting clear curriculum guidelines, and ensuring parental involvement.
- Unique local cultures are cherished and promoted whilst learning from international best practices.
- Human capital development are prioritised ahead of infrastructure and technology.
- Parents play a vital role in their children’s education and development.
隨著所有經濟體系都在尋求發展具備更高技能的勞動力，以提升在全球化知識型經濟中的競爭力，幼兒教育的重要性也日益在全球上得到認同。三個不同範疇的研究同樣指出早期教育的重要性: 腦神經科學的研究，我們了解到早期大腦發展的重要性；從社會科學的研究，我們得知高質量的課程可以提高兒童在日後學習和生活的能力；而從經濟學研究之中，我們明白高水平的課程會為長遠地為社會帶來經濟效益。
學前教育能夠幫助確保所有的兒童，特別是來自低收入家庭或弱勢社群，可以從一個穩固的起步點出發。學前教育也能幫助鼓勵更多女性就業，從而促進經濟增長。
經濟學人（EIU）的一項研究指出，北歐國家在學前教育的表現最佳。其優勝之處包括:
- 高水平的教師培訓和教育，制定明確的課程指引，並確保家長的參與。
- 在學習國際最佳實踐的同時，珍視和宣揚本地的獨特文化。
- 人力資源的發展比硬件和科技來得更重要。
- 父母在子女的教育和發展中擔當了至為重要的角色。