5 Long Term Benefits Of Early Learning Centres
- The Green Elephant
- Jul 28, 2020
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 1
In a rush? Here's a quick rundown.
The first five years are critical — 90% of brain development occurs before children start primary school, making quality early learning essential during this window.
Research shows children who attend early learning centres perform better in literacy and numeracy in primary school, high school, and are more likely to complete their HSC.
Beyond academics, early learning builds focus, commitment, ability to follow routines, and social skills that support healthy relationships throughout life.
Children who experience quality early education develop curiosity, confidence, and resilience — traits that foster lifelong enthusiasm for learning.
There is much debate regarding the effects of early learning centres on children's development. However, it is widely accepted that the first five years of a child's life are the most crucial for their long-term development.
High-quality early learning is essential during these years because children's brains are rapidly developing — in fact, 90% of brain development occurs before children start primary school. During this time, learning sets up the basic foundations for long-term cognitive, behavioural, emotional, and social wellbeing.
Early learning centres use highly qualified educators to provide quality stimulation and nurturing through play-based learning, encouraging the development of creativity and imagination.
Why the First Five Years Matter
The early years represent a unique window of opportunity for brain development. During this period, children's brains form neural connections at an incredible rate — more than at any other time in their lives.
What happens in the first five years:
Rapid brain development and neural pathway formation
Foundation building for language and communication
Development of social and emotional regulation
Establishment of learning patterns and attitudes
Formation of attachment and relationship skills
Quality early learning programmes have noticeable effects on children's cognitive and behavioural traits almost immediately, encouraging language, pre-literacy skills, and social-emotional development. However, many benefits only become fully apparent later — during school years and beyond.
1. Improved Academic Performance
There is strong research supporting higher academic performance in primary and high school among children who attended early learning centres during their formative years.
Research findings:
Children who don't attend early learning are 50% more likely to start school vulnerable in cognitive and behavioural development, making it harder to keep up in class
Children who spend three or more years in early learning perform better in Year 4 maths, science, and reading
Higher performance in literacy and numeracy continues between ages 11-16
Children who attended early learning between ages 2-4 are more likely to achieve higher test results in high school
By boosting academic development through at least one year of early childhood learning, children are more likely to achieve better results in literacy and numeracy in primary school and less likely to need special education support in later years.
2. Increased Enthusiasm for Learning
Along with improved academic performance, early learning centres build additional skills that improve the longevity and quality of a child's learning journey.
As a result of participating in activities that stimulate creativity, children are more likely to be curious and confident, building resilience while completing challenging tasks. This becomes highly valuable during higher education.
How early learning shapes attitudes:
Children develop understanding of what determines success and effort
They learn that achievements come from persistence
They experience working alongside others fairly and equally
They settle into school more easily
They develop long-term interests across various areas — music, dance, sport, arts
Life-Long Effects of Motivation
This early focus on motivation and high aspirations for learning persists long after the early years.
Research shows children who experienced quality early learning are more likely to:
Graduate high school
Complete their Higher School Certificate (HSC)
Have lower behavioural issues during school
Pursue higher education after school
This enhanced knowledge and motivation supports their success throughout life.
3. Increased Focus and Commitment
The structured programmes led in play-based learning environments lay vital foundations for long-term focus and commitment to tasks.
Early childhood learning can create upward mobility for children, helping them avoid gaps in achievement by learning essential skills earlier rather than later.
Research findings on focus and commitment:
Children who complete early learning education are more likely to finish school and less likely to have attendance issues
They have improved attention spans
They're more skilled at balancing listening, participating in group tasks, working independently, and following direction
They're better able to manage their behaviour with lower levels of hyperactivity
4. Ability to Follow Routines
Along with increased attention spans, children develop long-term behavioural traits that help them understand the concept of routines and follow structured approaches.
Children go through experiences that indicate appropriate behavioural responses — learning habits they carry with them throughout life. Simple examples include understanding to wash hands before eating or hanging up their coat before free play.
Why External Routine Experience Matters
Even if children understand routines at home, experiencing routines in an external environment under the instruction of non-family members is incredibly important.
This experience helps children:
Understand the concept of rules beyond their family context
Follow instructions from authority figures other than parents
Adapt to different expectations in different settings
Prepare for the structure of school environments
This increases their long-term ability to understand rules and follow them effectively in school and beyond.
5. Enhanced Social Skills
Attending early learning centres helps children develop the emotional maturity required to build strong relationships with others.
Research has found that children who receive quality education from early learning centres experience a lasting positive effect on their social skills.
Social skills developed through early learning:
Listening to others
Expressing their own ideas clearly
Being responsible for their actions
Sharing with others
Engaging in teamwork
Resolving conflicts constructively
Long-Term Social Benefits
By experiencing social relationships outside their family environment, children are exposed to other children and adults from diverse backgrounds.
This enables children to develop:
Core social interaction skills to make friends
Positive relationships with authority figures other than family
Understanding of diverse perspectives and backgrounds
Emotional intelligence for healthy relationships
Establishing these crucial social skills is essential for their formative educational years and their ability to build and maintain healthy relationships throughout their life.
More Than Just Learning
Besides all the cognitive, social, and behavioural benefits, attending early learning centres is simply a wonderful experience for children. They make great friendships and participate in fun and exciting activities all day — often without even realising they're building the foundations for future success.
The immediate joys of early learning:
Making friends and building relationships
Exploring creativity through art, music, and movement
Discovering the natural world
Developing independence and confidence
Having fun while learning
When children associate learning with positive experiences from an early age, they carry that enthusiasm with them throughout their educational journey and beyond.
FAQ
Why are the first five years so important for development?
During the first five years, 90% of brain development occurs. Children's brains form neural connections at an incredible rate during this period, establishing foundations for cognitive, behavioural, emotional, and social wellbeing. Quality stimulation and learning during this window has lasting impacts on lifelong development.
Does early learning really improve academic performance?
Yes, research consistently shows children who attend quality early learning centres perform better academically. They achieve higher results in literacy and numeracy in primary school, better outcomes in Year 4 maths, science, and reading, and are more likely to complete high school and pursue higher education.
What if my child already follows routines well at home?
While home routines are valuable, experiencing routines in an external environment with non-family adults is uniquely beneficial. It helps children understand rules beyond their family context, adapt to different expectations, and prepare for school — skills that transfer to all future settings.
At what age should children start early learning for maximum benefit?
Research shows benefits from attending early learning between ages 2-4, with children who spend three or more years in quality early learning showing the strongest long-term outcomes. However, every child is different — quality of care matters more than a specific starting age.
How do early learning centres build social skills?
Through daily interactions with peers and educators, children learn to listen, express ideas, share, work in teams, and resolve conflicts. Exposure to children and adults from diverse backgrounds helps them develop social skills that support healthy relationships throughout their lives.
Give Your Child the Best Start
Book a tour and discover how The Green Elephant's quality early learning programmes build foundations for lifelong success, curiosity, and confidence.
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