The Impact of Universal Pre-K on Child Care Providers in FWISD 2014
Impact of Universal Pre-Kindergarten on Community Child Care Providers in the Fort Worth Independent School District Charlotte Keany, MBA and Rachel Leventon, MPA, CVA Center for Nonprofit Management Commissioned by Camp Fire First Texas
Executive Summary The importance of quality early education experiences for children ages 0-5 has been welldocumented with 90% of brain development occurring by age 5. During this period the brain develops rapidly to build the foundation of cognitive abilities and socialization necessary for success in school, health, career and life. This study seeks to identify the anticipated results of universal pre-k on access to quality early education experiences through child care providers in Fort Worth Independent School District. Enrollment Data: FWISD estimates that a total of 7,000 4-year-olds will attend public pre-k. With 4,766 (68%) students already enrolled, an estimated 2,234 (32%) more students remain to enroll during the soft roll-out of FWISD UPK over the next few years. Research Methodology: Data for this research was collected from home-based child care providers and child care centers using an online survey, focus groups and site visits. The online survey was distributed to 104 licensed child care centers and 66 licensed or registered child care homes located in FWISD and achieved an excellent 39% response rate with 63 responding providers serving 3,397 children. Respondents represent 33% of all non-Head Start licensed and registered child care providers in the FWISD area. In addition to the survey, 3 focus groups with a total of 14 participants and 6 site visits were conducted to gain more in-depth insight representing another 942 children. Enrollment Loss: Crowd-Out is an “unintended consequence” of free public pre-k that occurs when government funded pre-k becomes available and parents switch from private pre-k to public (free) pre-k. Among those surveyed 29 child care centers and 11 homes lost a total of 160 4 year-olds to FWISD pre-k in September 2014 – a 52% increase over the 105 students lost from the same programs in 2013. Of those children leaving private child care for public pre-k this year, 84% (134) left centers, and 16% (26) left home-based providers. Impact on Financial Stability: The majority of survey respondents reported a strong or moderate impact on financial stability. 80% of child care centers reported a strong or moderate impact 58% of child care homes reported a strong or moderate impact 4|Page
