This produces lower social spending on families, higher tax revenues to government, and increased future economic security for mothers. These studies show that, regardless of socio-economic background or mothers' employment status, children who participate in early childhood education perform significantly better in school than those who do not participate. For example, a 1987 study found that 10 year-olds with preschool experience scored significantly higher on school performance tests than their counterparts with no preschool. High quality preschool experiences are also highly beneficial for disadvantaged children. Effects on mothers' employment Some mothers with young children do not participate in the paid labour force because child care is too expensive.
Single mothers are likely to be the most sensitive to child care costs.
According to one study, nearly 40 per cent of single mothers in the paid labour force say they would have to quit their jobs if their child care costs increased by 25 per cent. Other studies reviewed found that if child care costs were fully subsidized, the rate of full-time employment for mothers would increase from 29 per cent to 52 per cent. This finding is even more dramatic in a lifetime context because mothers who are employed part-time for a substantial part of their lives generally have lower lifetime incomes. Many mothers work part-time because of child care considerations. On average, women with full-time jobs earn about 60 to 70 per cent of men's wages.