Research Topic

Early Care and Education

Children’s early care and learning experiences set the foundation for lifelong learning and well-being. CCFP researchers study young children’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs and how early care and education providers can best meet those needs. Our teams develop, implement, and evaluate innovative programs and strategies to foster optimal development in early care and education settings.

Latest Research

Journal Articles

Universal Teacher-Child Interaction Training in Early Childhood Special Education: Identifying Mechanisms of Action that Explain Why it Works

Using a cluster randomized control trial in a sample of 410 racially- and ethnically-diverse children taught by 102 teachers from 38 classrooms in eight schools, we attempted to identify these mechanisms of action. Results identified two mechanisms of action by which Teacher-Child Interaction Training-Universal worked to benefit children in this sample.

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Working Papers

The Long-Term Effect of North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten is Larger in School Districts with Lower Rates of Growth in Academic Achievement

This study examined whether the effect of NC Pre-K funding exposure is moderated by the educational environments children subsequently experience during elementary and middle school. The NC Pre-K effect on
student reading and math achievement in eighth grade was found to be larger in school districts with lower rates of growth in academic achievement.

learn more about The Long-Term Effect of North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten is Larger in School Districts with Lower Rates of Growth in Academic Achievement
Journal Articles

Pre-K Enrollments and Teaching Environments in North Carolina Elementary Schools

This study examines one of the mechanisms through which North Carolina’s statewide pre-K program (NC Pre-K) may generate such benefits: improvements in the teaching environments of the elementary schools in which NC Pre-K graduates enroll.

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Katie Rosanbalm

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Kenneth Dodge

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Elizabeth Snyder-Fickler

Read More About Elizabeth Snyder-Fickler
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Nicole Lawrence

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Preschool Development Grant: Child Care Deserts & Family Care Providers

Project Description Family child care homes (FCCHs) are an important part of the early care and education system in North Carolina. While they make up only about a quarter of licensed care providers, they provide a critical service especially to families that work non-traditional hours, reside in rural communities or speak primary languages other than…

learn more about Preschool Development Grant: Child Care Deserts & Family Care Providers
learn more about Preschool Development Grant: Child Care Deserts & Family Care Providers

North Carolina Infant Toddler Cost Feasibility Study – Parent and Provider Panels

Together with the Child Trends, researchers from CCFP are gathering feedback from parents and providers on what they think makes a high quality early care and education environment for infants and toddlers.

learn more about North Carolina Infant Toddler Cost Feasibility Study – Parent and Provider Panels
learn more about North Carolina Infant Toddler Cost Feasibility Study – Parent and Provider Panels

Families & Communities Rising Evaluation

CCFP researchers are working with Families and Communities Rising to select, implement, and evaluate a school readiness assessment at their Head Start sites across Durham and Orange Counties.

learn more about Families & Communities Rising Evaluation
learn more about Families & Communities Rising Evaluation

Preschool Development Grant, Birth Through Five – Needs Assessment

Together with the Hunt Institute, researchers from CCFP are implementing a collaborative partnership to support NC DHHS’ Division of Child Development and Early Education in completing updates to North Carolina’s Preschool Development (Birth Through Five) Needs Assessment, including information on the impact of COVID-19 on the child care and early education experiences of children and families.

learn more about Preschool Development Grant, Birth Through Five – Needs Assessment
learn more about Preschool Development Grant, Birth Through Five – Needs Assessment
February 7, 2024
Journal Articles

Investigating if High-Quality Kindergarten Teachers Sustain the Pre-K Boost to Children’s Emergent Literacy Skill Development in North Carolina

This study tested the hypothesis that high-quality kindergarten teachers sustain and amplify the skill development of children who participated in North Carolina’s NC Pre-K program during the previous year. Higher value-added teachers promoted the skill development of all children, but did not differentially benefit the skill development of former NC Pre-K participants compared to non-participants.

learn more about Investigating if High-Quality Kindergarten Teachers Sustain the Pre-K Boost to Children’s Emergent Literacy Skill Development in North Carolina
January 31, 2024
Policy Briefs

The Seeds of Success: Investing in Early Childhood Workforce

In early 2022, CCFP conducted focus groups comprised of diverse parents and child care providers from across North Carolina. This brief synthesizes their views on the system’s strengths, needs, and ideas for improvement with respect to the early care and education workforce.

learn more about The Seeds of Success: Investing in Early Childhood Workforce
January 31, 2024
Policy Briefs

Family Perspectives on Availability and Affordability: Improving Access to Quality Early Education

In early 2022, CCFP conducted focus groups comprised of diverse parents and child care providers from across North Carolina. This brief synthesizes their views on the system’s strengths, needs, and ideas for improvement with respect to availability and affordability.

learn more about Family Perspectives on Availability and Affordability: Improving Access to Quality Early Education
January 31, 2024
Policy Briefs

Building Resilience: Nurturing Social and Emotional Health in Young Children

In early 2022, CCFP conducted focus groups comprised of diverse parents and child care providers from across North Carolina. This brief synthesizes their views on the system strengths, needs, and ideas for improvement with respect to young children’s social and emotional development.

learn more about Building Resilience: Nurturing Social and Emotional Health in Young Children