The percent of all 3- and 4-year old children who are enrolled in any type of formal early education program (public, private, family child care, center-based preschool) are examined in this indicator. The data is collected as part of the American Community Survey provided to a sample of the population.

Early childhood education helps provide the opportunities necessary for positive development at this young and critical age. It is now supported by extensive research that a high quality early childhood education experience has significant long-term effects on a person’s life outcomes ranging from their achievement in K-12 school, their economic success, and they will be less likely to be involved in the juvenile justice system. Early childhood education is now recognized as a critical early phase of the cradle-to-career pipeline that takes a comprehensive, long term view of workforce and economic development.

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-Year-Estimates

This data is based on a survey of a sample of the population. There are margins of error associated with this data.