Good early education 'can deliver long-term benefits in life'
Providing children with a high-quality education during the earliest years of their lives can deliver benefits that last well into their adulthoods, new research has shown.
The US study, carried out by Virginia Tech researchers, is following 96 children who have continuously participated in the Abecedarian Project, an early education programme for at-risk infants and children that started in North Carolina in 1971. The latest follow-up data has offered evidence of the significant impact that a good education can have on a child.
All of the subjects involved in the study received healthcare, nutrition and family support through social services, but one group also received five years of early care and education, with teaching taking place for five days a week beginning at six weeks of age, and continuing until the child started nursery school.
It was shown that children who received the educational treatment were more successful socially, with close relationships with their mothers and fathers extending into middle age. These individuals were also more likely to be employed full-time, as well as being more likely to possess a car, a home or a savings account.
An important factor was the ability of teachers to tailor educational activities to a child's specific needs, with a focus on naturalistic interactions, the conversational aspect of language and interactive reading. This will ensure the child finds the lessons enjoyable, rather than a chore.
Craig Ramey, a professor and distinguished research scholar of human development at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, said: "We have demonstrated that when we provide vulnerable children and families with really high-quality services - educationally, medically, socially - we have impacts of a large and practical magnitude all the way up to middle age."
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£14.25 - 17.00 per hour
Location free text
Guildford
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Guildford
Description
Level 3 Early Years Practitioner | Guildford Part-Time | Flexible shifts between 8:00am – 6:00pm Competitive Salary | Dependent on experience and qualificationsAre you a qualified Level 3 Early Years
Reference
Guildford EYP
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Thames Valley PrimaryAuthor
Thames Valley PrimarySalary
£14.25 - 17.00 per hour
Location free text
Reading
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Reading
Description
Reading and Surrounding Areas Flexible Working | Competitive Pay | Immediate Start AvailableAre you a passionate and qualified Early Years Practitioner looking for flexible work that fits around your
Reference
EYP Reading
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Thames Valley PrimaryAuthor
Thames Valley PrimarySalary
£92.63 - 100.00 per day
Location free text
Cardiff
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
Sector
Early Years
Location
Cardiff
Description
Do you love the buzz of an Early Years classroom? Are you the kind of person who can jump into any situation, think on your feet, and keep little learners engaged, supported and smiling throughout the
Reference
EYTA
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Cardiff West PrimaryAuthor
Cardiff West PrimarySalary
£14.25 - 15.00 per hour
Location free text
Lancaster
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Lancashire
Description
EYFS Teaching Assistant - Lancaster Location: Lancaster Position: EYFS Teaching Assistant Contract: Full-Time, Term-Time Only Start Date: ASAP / January 2027 Salary: Competitive, dependent on exper
Reference
KH0821
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire North PrimaryAuthor
Lancashire North PrimarySalary
£14.25 - 17.00 per hour
Location free text
Bracknell
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Bracknell
Description
Are you a qualified Early Years Practitioner looking for flexible work that fits around your lifestyle?We are seeking enthusiastic and reliable Early Years Practitioners to join our agency team, sup
Reference
Bracknell EYP
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Thames Valley PrimaryAuthor
Thames Valley PrimarySalary
£14.25 - 17.00 per hour
Location free text
Camberley
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Camberley
Description
Camberley and Surrounding Areas Flexible Working | Competitive Pay | Immediate Start AvailableAre you a passionate and qualified Early Years Practitioner looking for flexible work that fits around you
Reference
Flex Nursery Practit
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Thames Valley PrimaryAuthor
Thames Valley PrimarySalary
£100 - 115 per day
Location free text
Cambridgeshire
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Early Years
Location
Cambridgeshire
Description
Nursery Practitioner & Nursery Assistant OpportunitiesTeaching Personnel | £100 - £115 Per Day | Flexible Work AvailableAre you a passionate and caring Early Years professional looking for your next o
Reference
EYFS22/10/26
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Cambridge PrimaryAuthor
Cambridge PrimarySalary
£14.25 - 15.00 per hour
Location free text
Blackpool
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Blackpool
Description
EYFS Practitioners Required - Blackpool & Surrounding Areas Level 2, Level 3 and Above Qualified Early Years Staff WantedTeaching Personnel are currently recruiting passionate and dedicated EYFS Pr
Reference
KH1154
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire North PrimaryAuthor
Lancashire North PrimarySalary
£92.63 - 100.00 per day
Location free text
Camborne
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
Less than £500 per week
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Cornwall
Description
Level 3 Nursery Teaching Assistant Camborne Area | Flexible & Long-Term Opportunities Available £14.25 per hour | Weekly PAYE Pay | School Hours | Term-Time OnlyLove working with young children but
Reference
Level 3 Nursery TA
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Cornwall PrimaryAuthor
Cornwall PrimarySalary
£14.25 - 17.00 per hour
Location free text
Woking
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Surrey
Description
Level 3 Early Years Practitioner | Woking Part time | Flexible shifts between 8:00am - 6:00pm Competitive Salary | Based on experience and qualificationsAre you a passionate and qualified Level 3
Reference
L3 eyp woking
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Thames Valley South SEN
Author
Thames Valley South SENRelated posts
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
October marks Black History Month in the UK, giving schools an opportunity to celebrate the achievements, contributions and experiences of Black communities while encouraging meaningful conversati
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
As ADHD Awareness Month shines a spotlight on neurodiversity, Teaching Personnel's Ellen shares her experience of being diagnosed with ADHD later in life and how greater awareness and understandi
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
As we celebrate National Teaching Assistants' Day 2026, we're delighted to recognise the incredible individuals who have been selected as our Teaching Assistant of the Year winners.This year,
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
After a well-earned summer break, schools across the UK are opening their doors once again for a new academic year. Whether you're returning to a familiar classroom or starting a new role, Septemb
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD08YY
Summary
As schools and trusts prepare for changes to the way temporary staff are sourced from September 2026, many will look to work more closely with framework-approved recruitment partners. Understandin
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Summer has only just started, and September might seem a long way off, but it will be here sooner than you think. Schools and trusts are already planning for September, with new opportunities open
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
As schools and trusts prepare for September 2026, the shift from CCS (Crown Commercial Service) to the new GCA (Government Commercial Agency) framework marks a significant change in how supply sta
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
When schools wind down for the holidays, nurseries keep open. Many early-years settings remain open throughout the summer. Nurseries rely on skilled, caring staff to help children and
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
Exams are one of the most stressful times in the academic year, and it isn’t only pupils who feel the pressure. For teaching assistants (TAs) and support staff, exam season brings new expectations
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
If you’re considering taking the next step in education, you’re not alone. More teachers and support staff are exploring permanent roles that offer stability, progression, and a sense of belonging
by
Adam Davies
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job