Nationally renowned researchers from the FPG Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill conducted a statewide, representative study of quality across licensed child care centers and Georgia’s Pre-K programs. Data was collected in 2008 and 2009. The resulting Georgia Study of Early Care and Education findings provide scientific evidence for where further investments are needed while validating Bright from the Start’s current initiatives designed to improve quality in all early learning environments across the state.

Bright from the Start continues to be committed to improving the quality of early learning environments across Georgia. Hence, Bright from the Start is making substantial investments to improve quality. These investments include ongoing initiatives as well as new projects created through the use of stimulus dollars.

The findings from the study are divided across three separate reports: Child Care Center Findings, Findings from Georgia’s Pre-K Program, and Family Day Care Home Findings. Full copies of the reports and the executive summaries are available below. In addition, Bright from the Start has developed a slide show presentation and a summary of the study that not only details the findings but also the varying initiatives in place to improve quality.

Please direct any questions to Dr. Bentley Ponder at BFTSResearch@decal.ga.gov.