Promoting integration of immigrants: Effects of free child care on child enrollment and parental employment

Year Published:

Abstract

Proficiency in the language spoken by the majority population may be crucial for the cognitive development of children from immigrant families. High-quality child care is believed to promote such language skills, and it is thus of concern that children from immigrant families are underrepresented in formal child care across OECD countries. How can we increase their participation, and can such participation improve family integration? We study an intervention in some districts of Oslo where children aged four and five were eligible for 20 h of free childcare weekly. Taking advantage of the intervention being available in some city districts and not in others, we estimate the effect of the intervention on the enrollment of children and on their parents’ employment and education, using outcomes measured for the same family before and after the child’s age of eligibility. We find that the intervention increased the participation for children from immigrant families by 15%. However, we do not find support for effects on parental employment or education. The performance in tests at school entry (age six) for children from immigrant families in city districts with free child care is better than that of similar children in comparison districts. Overall, our results suggest that subsidizing center based child care can improve the cognitive development of children from immigrant families.

Citation

Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

No posts found.

About this study

AGE: Multiple Age Groups

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: Positive impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Free

HOST COUNTRY: Norway

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High

INTERVENTION DURATION: NA

INTERVENTION: 20 hours/week of free child care (2006 – present)

POPULATION: Immigrants

REGION OF ORIGIN OF PARTICIPANT(S): Multiple Regions

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Moderate

TYPE OF STUDY: Impact evaluation

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2015

More STUDIES

Prevalence, determinants, and effects of food insecurity among Middle Eastern and North African migrants and refugees in high-income countries: A systematic review

Issues related to poverty and income inequality in high-income countries have led to food insecurity among some population groups, such as migrants and refugees. While there are some studies on the experience of some migrant groups (and other subpopulations), little is known about food security among Middle Eastern and African migrants and refugees. This systematic…

Links of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program with food insecurity, poverty, and health: Evidence and potential

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a highly effective program, vital to our nation’s health and well-being. SNAP’s entitlement funding structure allows it to provide benefits to anyone who meets the program’s eligibility requirements, and this structure also enables SNAP to respond quickly when need increases. Research shows that SNAP reduces poverty for millions,…

Exploring neighborhood transformations and community gardens to meet the cultural food needs of immigrants and refugees: A scoping review

International migration is contributing to changes in the sociocultural and the economic landscapes of many cities in the world. As part of the changes in cities, we are witnessing an increased use of community gardens as spaces for wellbeing restoration, for social connection, and for addressing the challenge of food insecurity, particularly cultural food insecurity.…