Publication year: 2011
Source: Children and Youth Services Review, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 6 August 2011
Shannon T., Lipscomb , Katherine C., Pears
Patterns and predictors of center-based early care and education (ECE) of children in foster care were examined. Participants included 192 pre-Kindergarten age children in foster care. Foster parents reported demographics, ECE and other service use. Foster care history data was abstracted from case files. High rates of attendance in ECE prior to Kindergarten, including Head Start, other center-based ECE, or both were found. Children who attended Head Start were younger when first placed in foster care. Children who attended other center-based ECE services were more likely to live with kinship foster parents and foster families with higher incomes. Latent class…
Highlights: ► Children in foster care attended center-based ECE at high rates. ► Children who attended Head Start were younger when first placed in foster care. ► Children who attended other ECE were more likely to be in kinship foster care. ► Latent class analysis revealed three qualitatively different patterns of ECE use. ► Child and foster family characteristics predicted patterns of ECE use.