A Guide to Calculating the Cost of Quality Early Care and Education

States and communities are responding to growing public demand for high-quality care for young children. Between 1988 and 2005, combined state spending in pre-kindergarten soared from $190 million to $2.8 billion. Even with relatively weak economies since 2000, many states are maintaining investments in early education, and some are even increasing funds. As pressure mounts for communities to strengthen their commitment to early care and education, policymakers and community leaders increasingly need tools and methods to accurately estimate the costs of high-quality systems and services and to better determine the return on investments in early and education services.