Early childhood education is receiving considerable international attention. Many governments from English-speaking countries around the world are increasingly looking to the early childhood field for advice on improving outcomes for children. Will early childhood education, with its relatively low status, gain widespread community recognition? Do we have the research to support the field? What evidence is needed to convince different sectors of the community about the worth of early childhood education? This paper examines aspects of key research studies where economic or scientific evidence is cited for supporting the profession. The literature has currency with many sectors of government and is useful for maintaining early childhood education on the international agenda as an important area of education.
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